Post by geordy on Sept 20, 2011 7:52:16 GMT -5
So I had purchased Air France ticket back in May for much moola. Price did go down but of course not enough to try to change, lose seat, etc.
About a week before departure I got an e-mail offering an upgrade to Premiere Voyager for 139 Euros. Mot First or Business mind you, just an extra section IMO to get more $ for the airline. Having paid enough for the ticket I was not going to add more for some extra legroom..I did have an aisle. Then I thought about my 2 hours to get my TGV from CDG to Tours and the fact that I was in the rear of the plane...the new section is the very front of what we commonly call coach...but still didn't bite.
Day of departure..print out boarding pass at work, then off to Newark. I go to the desk, I was checking one bag, and nice lady says. "Oh I see you've already checked in. Have you printed your pass?" I pull it out...she says we've upgraded you, do you have your AF card with you ..is it gold or platinum?" Now I'm a bit crestfallen as I hand over my measly Ivory card thinking my "upgrade" has vanished. But no, now I went from 39 J to 20F! In PV W/O paying the 139 Euros! Yea!
Not only more legroom, better seats, and fewer of them, configured 2-3-2...perhaps that was part of the reason...those extra single seats!!! The seats do not recline to flat but have the footrest like a recliner and are self contained..like a pod..so the whole seat doesn't wind up in the person behind you's lap if you do recline, Still plastic utensils and cups but first service, better amenities kit, quieter., and one of the menu choices was brandade!!!!! ;D ..just a great way to start the trip! Still didn't sleep much but if it had been a later flight..flt took off just after 7PM..might have helped!
Off course the time gained in getting off the plane was most likely erased as we had to take buses to the terminal and then the line for "tous passports" was out of control! But because of that ...bag was already on belt! (half full. half full :
But...I was unable to print my ticket to Tours at home(was able to print return..but that was non-stop and different pricing) and since my credit cards do not have chip couldn't use machines. I had seen the line in that ticket office be VERY long on other trips when I was just taking the RER to Paris(there is a separate line for that) but not separate line for folks holding reservations. Well the line was out the door!
But....a "purple lady" (TGV colors?) came out and starting querying the back of the line. I said "I have this res, handing her my print out" and she said "Do not make the line....come with me. " I'm in love with the purple lady! Other folks are trying to get my lady's attention, but poor souls, they do not have a TGV res leaving in an hour. I went with her to a desk just inside the door and voila had my ticket in 2 mins! And friendly service!! AS I left the office the Brit couple who were right ahead of me in line and hadn't moved an inch said "Good job!" (they were buying tickets)
So plenty of time to get a cafe, use W/C, use ATM before boarding!
Sat next to a nun. Had to change trains at Le Mans....piece of cake..and I'm in Tours! Route to hotel looked easy on Map sent to me by tourist office...yeah maybe if in the last day you haven't gotten up , taken a cross town bus, subway, 10 min walk, sat thru 2 meetings, took subway and bus back home, taken van to Newark, airplane across ocean, 2 trains with little or no sleep..in other words I had a bit of a walking tour of Tours dragging rolling bag, tote bag on shoulder, handbag in hand or on shoulder, in the mist!
Nice man saw me consulting map and came to my aid...ah the "kindness of strangers' and in a mixture of French and English gave me very good directions. It is amazing how with a few hand gestures as well it can all click in even a befuddled brain!
Got to Hotel Ronsard...room on 1st flr..no lift..but nice owner carried bag up. S/O arrived about 45 mins later!
To be continued in Other places in France section.
About a week before departure I got an e-mail offering an upgrade to Premiere Voyager for 139 Euros. Mot First or Business mind you, just an extra section IMO to get more $ for the airline. Having paid enough for the ticket I was not going to add more for some extra legroom..I did have an aisle. Then I thought about my 2 hours to get my TGV from CDG to Tours and the fact that I was in the rear of the plane...the new section is the very front of what we commonly call coach...but still didn't bite.
Day of departure..print out boarding pass at work, then off to Newark. I go to the desk, I was checking one bag, and nice lady says. "Oh I see you've already checked in. Have you printed your pass?" I pull it out...she says we've upgraded you, do you have your AF card with you ..is it gold or platinum?" Now I'm a bit crestfallen as I hand over my measly Ivory card thinking my "upgrade" has vanished. But no, now I went from 39 J to 20F! In PV W/O paying the 139 Euros! Yea!
Not only more legroom, better seats, and fewer of them, configured 2-3-2...perhaps that was part of the reason...those extra single seats!!! The seats do not recline to flat but have the footrest like a recliner and are self contained..like a pod..so the whole seat doesn't wind up in the person behind you's lap if you do recline, Still plastic utensils and cups but first service, better amenities kit, quieter., and one of the menu choices was brandade!!!!! ;D ..just a great way to start the trip! Still didn't sleep much but if it had been a later flight..flt took off just after 7PM..might have helped!
Off course the time gained in getting off the plane was most likely erased as we had to take buses to the terminal and then the line for "tous passports" was out of control! But because of that ...bag was already on belt! (half full. half full :
But...I was unable to print my ticket to Tours at home(was able to print return..but that was non-stop and different pricing) and since my credit cards do not have chip couldn't use machines. I had seen the line in that ticket office be VERY long on other trips when I was just taking the RER to Paris(there is a separate line for that) but not separate line for folks holding reservations. Well the line was out the door!
But....a "purple lady" (TGV colors?) came out and starting querying the back of the line. I said "I have this res, handing her my print out" and she said "Do not make the line....come with me. " I'm in love with the purple lady! Other folks are trying to get my lady's attention, but poor souls, they do not have a TGV res leaving in an hour. I went with her to a desk just inside the door and voila had my ticket in 2 mins! And friendly service!! AS I left the office the Brit couple who were right ahead of me in line and hadn't moved an inch said "Good job!" (they were buying tickets)
So plenty of time to get a cafe, use W/C, use ATM before boarding!
Sat next to a nun. Had to change trains at Le Mans....piece of cake..and I'm in Tours! Route to hotel looked easy on Map sent to me by tourist office...yeah maybe if in the last day you haven't gotten up , taken a cross town bus, subway, 10 min walk, sat thru 2 meetings, took subway and bus back home, taken van to Newark, airplane across ocean, 2 trains with little or no sleep..in other words I had a bit of a walking tour of Tours dragging rolling bag, tote bag on shoulder, handbag in hand or on shoulder, in the mist!
Nice man saw me consulting map and came to my aid...ah the "kindness of strangers' and in a mixture of French and English gave me very good directions. It is amazing how with a few hand gestures as well it can all click in even a befuddled brain!
Got to Hotel Ronsard...room on 1st flr..no lift..but nice owner carried bag up. S/O arrived about 45 mins later!
To be continued in Other places in France section.