This is nothing new to the blog but considering just how many new readers keep coming in each day it is fun to share this and I hope they “pay it forward” and copy what I do. You can download the above “card” from THIS PDF link and print it from any printer. Then fold it in half and then in half again and it will look like what you see above.
Now what I also do, that you can do if you want, is buy $10 Starbucks cards in bulk. You can buy them with your Delta AMEX card to meet spend or use say your Ink cards to get 5x buying them at office supply stores. I then put one of the gift cards inside each of the cards. Simple and a nice thank you to the hard working FAs. You can also, if you are at a office supply store, get envelopes that fit the card you have just made.
The other thing I will be handing out is a tiny flash light to each FA. Why? All you have to do is work a night flight and you will see the need. Having one of these to light up a small area and not disturb others is nice. So, each one that takes care of me gets one.
Another thing I may get, and you could maybe get too, are can openers. What – why? Do you have ANY idea just how many cans an FA opens each day they fly. How hard this is on their hands? So, if you find a bulk lot of these at a cheap price (with or without a logo), why not pick them up and hand them out on each flight. I bet you get a smile and a thank you!
Other things that are handy to think about? Pens! Especially on international flights. They never have enough pens. This will be appreciated along with chocolate and anything else that you can think of to say – THANK YOU – to the Delta people who work so hard. – René
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Do FAs ever refuse to accept the Starbucks gift cards? I get that it’s not quite the same as giving cash but I imagine they could still get in trouble for accepting these and may not find the reward worth the risk. Or perhaps some just don’t feel right accepting any reward for good service, which they view as a part of the job. Nonetheless, a very generous offer so just wondering what your acceptance rate is.
@Mitch – 100% & btw Delta CORP folks know I do that and think it is a great way to thank the hard working DL folks!
@mitch – I’ve been giving Starbucks cards for years (I can’t stand their product, but the cards are a universal FA currency). To make sure it’s actually a “pay it forward” (rather than a “tip” for good service) I typically give the lead flight attendant enough cards for all the cabin crew as I board (yes, it can get expensive, but that’s what cash back portals are for!). I tell him or her that I fly a lot and appreciate all they do to take care of me. And also, please not to let the others know who gave them so that I don’t get extra attention – doesn’t always work, embarrassingly, but I (almost) always turn down any offers for extra drinks/snacks. It’s heartwarming to see the utter delight that getting a little anonymous recognition engenders…
And I ALWAYS reward good service with a glowing comment on Delta.com.
Rene–do you go to the galley and give them individually? Or do it while they are serving the cabin? Feels like an odd interaction for me, just trying to figure out how you handle it (I’m sure you have a smooth way)!
Also thank you so much for the follow up option!
@Gaurav – I go to galley AFTER service if good and give to FA or FA’s who are taking care of me. I am not sure on the light and openers as I just got those. Will probably do the same so no one else see me or them.
Great little gifts. I’ve had a mini flashlight on my keys (well, no DeltaPoints logo so less kool) for a couple years; I think it’s great for dark restaurants — sometimes I need a tiny extra bit of light to read those fancy menus!
What an awesome idea! I think I’m going go with the Starbucks idea. That being, I think it’s a little tacky to be handing out your own labeled swag as an act of appreciation. In other words, this gratitude–one that presumably isn’t about what *you* get out it–becomes a way to sell this blog to FAs and any passengers who see it. Don’t get me wrong! It’s smart marketing, but, again, in the spirit of selfless gratitude, this feels partly self-serving.
Thanks, Rene. Great ideas. I will start doing this and see how it goes.
@ James…keeps it tax deductible!!
@Mr.H – Yep txs. I do run the blog as a business. 😉