Is It Rude For Elite Members To Skip The Line?
I was in Vegas over the weekend for the Boarding Area conference. I was staying at the Mandalay Bay and, as a prior Hyatt Diamond elite member, I had matched to M Life Platinum status. This actually comes with a number of perks such as discounts on room rates, buffet line passes and one of the most useful benefits, a taxi line pass.
When I got outside Sunday morning to go to the airport, there was a line for the taxi, as I expected. There were probably five taxi-fulls ahead of me so it wasn’t overly long, but definitely would delay my trip to the airport. I estimate it would take 10-15 minutes to wait. To the right of the full line, there was a second space for a line that said “M Life Priority” that I could go through with my Platinum card. But no one happened to be in it at the time. I politely walked to the front and had my Platinum card out just in case the line attendant needed it. The next taxi came, picked me up and I was off to the airport.
Alina, who joined me in Vegas for the weekend, was with me and told me that as I walked to the front of the M Life empty line, the people in the regular line were giving me dirty looks. I suspect they didn’t understand why I could just go to the front and saw what I was doing as cutting. Or perhaps they saw what I was doing as an unfair use of elite status.
I think people interpret things a little bit differently when there are two distinct lines, elite and non-elite, like there are at the airport. Then one line is shorter than the other, but both are still technically lines. The elite then waits in a shorter different line rather than gets to completely “cut the line”. In essence, if everyone still has to wait and put in some work to go through security or get to the taxi, then I think people interpret it as reasonable. However, when someone just goes to the front and everyone else is patiently waiting, then that’s a different situation. One set of people has to wait and the other set doesn’t. And in some people’s minds, that sort of balance is worthy of dirty looks.
Of course, I prefer not to get dirty looks when I am taking a taxi, but it is what it is. To put it another way, I had previously done the work to figure out how to achieve the M Life Platinum status in the first place (even if it came from a Hyatt Diamond match) so I had already paid the price in some sense whereas everyone else’s price was actually waiting and there is nothing wrong with that on either account.
Do you get annoyed when someone with elite status slows down your waiting? Or do you find it reasonable? And those that do have elite status, do you ever feel guilty skipping a line or waiting in a shorter line?
Happens all the time. I suspect that many people have some sort of special privelege back home, could be with a hair dresser or with some sort of store. They can’t make the transition with frequent travelers.
Your post reminded me of the Hilton hotel checkin scene from Up in the Air:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd5LG8zW1dM
I don’t think it’s rude at all if there is a clear sign stating the priority line. What I’ve found rude, however, is when an airport employee cuts the regular line for a couple who is running late WITHOUT saying anything to the other passengers. This happened to me in Singapore Changi airport where I had to get another boarding pass through the international transit counter. Due to delays of incoming aircraft, the line was roughly 10 people deep. When I was next in line, an airport employee with 2 passengers just cut me off without telling me anything and that’s when I literally told her “Excuse me, the end of the queue is over there. We’ve been waiting for over 15 minutes here.” Only then did she apologize and explain that the 2 passengers has a flight to catch in 20 minutes (we all missed our connecting flight so I let ’em go.) Had she told me that before cutting the line, I would have been totally ok with that.
As much as everyone likes to think that we are all equals, there are many inequalities in life. Elite travel perks are a small inequality, but something that is more fair in life than others. Anyone with the wherewithal can achieve and receive the perks of being an elite. When I take my family on business class flights to Europe, I don’t think twice about feeling guilty of the perks that I receive during our travels. I look forward to the lounge access and the shorter queues for check-in and security. Also, elite status works as a very effective method of business loyalty. It’s good business. I am sure that businesses will agree that having the loyalty of their clients by offering small but noticeable perks is the right way of conducting their business.
That’s one thing that really bothers me about the KLM priority lines at AMS. Each gate has to clear security. And even though there are Sky Priority signs at each line, there isn’t even a short roped off area designating that it’s for Sky Priority. So, rather then feel like a real jerk for cutting the line, I usually wait in an invariably long line. It’s a real hassle.
As long as there is a defined line and you meet the criteria for using it, using the priority line is completely fine.
Don’t sweat it. It’s part of being a priority status person. Sure there may be a few dirty looks but most are not out of hate they are of envy that they aren’t a high roller, jet setter, etc. Everyone of those people in that Taxi line would jump at the chance to do the same.
Taxi in Las Vegas? Never used one.
One of my favorite movie scenes is in “Up in the Air” when George Clooney uses the priority line at the hotel reception counter. When he gets grief from someone in the longer line he hands her a brochure for how to start using points.
“Cutting”. Ha ha haven’t heard that since the eighth grade!
why? inequities existed in every aspect of life, contrary to what wanted you to believe in. if you work towards something you are more likely to be ahead. if not you stuck. you work for your miles/points/status you get preferred treatment. just because you skip ahead it may upset /offend some people? i suggest they move to china where the mass of people are equal under commu-ism.
Not at all. It’s was pretty clearly laid out, and anyone could have gotten M Life Platinum status and been able to use the priority line if they had put in the effort or time, so I don’t see that as an issue. Now, if you had gotten a taxi quicker because of your good looks, that would have been another matter ;)
Same situation happened to me a few weeks ago in Vegas while staying at MGM Grand. At the start of the trip I was a little embarrassed of my mLife platinum status and hesitant to use the separate priority lines, but by the end of the trip I was flashing that card everywhere. I literally saved hours in taxi line waiting time over the weekend. Probably the best platinum benefit.
I’ve been in this situation before and I also matched Hyatt status during the Diamond Trial to get Platinum. My general rule of thumb is if there’s three or more groups in line, I’ll flash the card. What’s important to understand though is WHY the people gave you dirty looks. Remember, not only do they have to wait longer than you, but the vast majority of the people out there will be assuming you have a Platinum card because you are wealthy and have the means to gamble or spend a lot. Thus in their mind, it’s “She’s rich, so she gets to go first.” Just food for thought.
That’s actually also a very good point and an aspect I didn’t think of that has nothing to do with me using my card :) I gambled exactly zero on this trip (no poker tables were going when I had free time) so it really did not occur to me someone thinks I am a high value player!
I was once a starving b-school student in NYC and used to comb the taxi line at the airport looking for someone to split a cab into the city with. If you’re comfortable doing that on the way to McCarran, you might build some goodwill with those in line before you “cut” and even save a few bucks!
I have no problem with separate lines. Sometimes I have status, but mostly I don’t. Enjoy status to the full! You’ve earned it. Folks giving dirty looks would most likely do exactly as you did. If they honestly thought you had cut in line, someone would have spoken up. My only beef with elites, non-elites, or anyone else is when they treat others with disrespect. If you were matter-of-fact and open, then you behaved appropriately.
It is fair but its perception depends on a couple of key points: (1) how transparent and visible is it?; (2) what is the difference between the elite line and the non-elite line?; and (3) how well managed is the non-elite line. If it is visible, the difference is great and the non-elite line is not well managed (perhaps because too few cabs are available or there are too many in the elite line) that’s a real problem and the fault of the owner. We should also all bemoan a little the fact that elderly, single mothers with kids and others are having to wait (often with lots of bags) while we biz travelers get to zoom by–Reverse Chivalry as I like to call it. A little common sense helps.