US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - $4 charge for drinks in int'l economy as of 9/1

not sure if this was mentioned before, but as of 9/1, US charges $4 (or EUR 4 or GBP 3) for alchoholic drinks in economy on transatlantic flights. they used to be complimentary.

Foreign exchange is one of the big reasons why int'l alcohol was always free. "I'm sorry, all I have is rupees. How much for a whisky?"

If memory serves, 3GBP is approximately $3.25 at the most. I think someone in coach armed with lots of quarters (or 20p pieces) should buy several dozen bottles of a variety of stuff using British pounds, then quietly resell to your fellow passengers for $3.75US or 3.75 euros! Win Win for everyone!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by syzygy8:
If memory serves, 3GBP is approximately $3.25 at the most. I think someone in coach armed with lots of quarters (or 20p pieces) should buy several dozen bottles of a variety of stuff using British pounds, then quietly resell to your fellow passengers for $3.75US or 3.75 euros! Win Win for everyone!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

No good. £3 is more like $4.70.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by silverpie:
No good. £3 is more like $4.70.

</font>

That's why I kept failing those math exams all those years ago! At least I get my taxes right!

Well, to quote Willy Wonka, "Scratch that. Reverse it." Buy with dollars and sell for pounds!

BA always plies you with alcohol.
Typical example:
BA: Some wine sir?
Me: Please.
BA: Let me give you two in case you finish the first.
Me: Thanks
BA: Will you want a drink with your dinner?
Me: Please.
BA: Here, take another two bottles.

I always found BA more friendly and the service better.

US cabin service seemed to be starting to catch up with the European Airlines. Now they are going to charge me $12 - 16 for drinks?

I fly US 4/5 times a year transatlantic because of preferred miles, won't have to from now on.

Gee, we complain about Rip-Off Britain here, seems like Rip-Off US Airways!

Seeing as the Euro and Dollar are roughly the same, that means a drink is:

USD: $4.00
Euro:$3.89
GBP: $4.65 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

Glad I don't fly them!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The above posts are correct as to the charges for alcoholic beverages.

US Airways implemented a series of test flights over a one week period between PHL-MAN to determine the viability of the scam (uh, plan).

Although B.Ben can take credit for some of the insane policies coming out of Arlington, Continental actually initiated the transatlantic alcohol fees many months ago.

The flight attendants on the test flights kicked and screamed over the proposed changes, but to no avail. I could offer words of encouragement as to a possible policy change, but I think all the comment cards have already been ripped out of Attache Magazine following last week's bombshells.

You know, I'll eat an 8.4% pay cut, and a formidable loss of benefits, but the nickel and dime paradigm is simply unfair to flyers.

Best to you all,

Sky

This change has the potential to make FAs' life miserable.

Ole Herbie and Myrtle are taking their annual trip to London for the International Button and Ribbon Exposition. Knowing that booze can be expensive in LON, they typically stop by Duty Free and pick up a bottle of Rye (~$7US) for use while there. After takeoff, they are suprised to learn that they now have to pay $4/ drink on US. Quickly doing the math, Herbie gets an idea. They just ask for ginger ale and proceed to sneak out their bottle of booze in the overhead. Three hours and 3/4 of a bottle of rye later, Herbie and Myrtle are well and truly smashed. They soon start making loud and rude comments about US and harassing other pax. A little later they decide to join the much vaunted 'mile high club'.

Just what a FA needs.......

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BillMorrow:
This change has the potential to make FAs' life miserable.
</font>

So does this mean that the meal listing for the flights will now read

Meals
First : Real Food, hot even
Biz : Real Food, hot plate rental 5US/4GB/hr
Steerage : er.Food..no, um Snack..+ BYOB cups $5US/4GB

**** New Security regulations. ****
Prohibited Items

Cups
Plates
Canned Beverages
Screw Top Bottles
Picinc baskets

Didn't CO say they were going to take the booze money and use it to upgrade the coach food? I know they won't actually do it, but at least it sounds good.

US with their new no holes barred approach, says they just wants the $$.

Here is a novel way of avoiding the $4.00 per drink charge...don't drink. Going without alcohol for 8-10 hours is not fatal, even if one is addicted to it. Many people had a fit over at the CO board when they started to charge for alcohol, but they all survived.
I like to have a glass of wine with dinner, maybe a Baley's with decaf with dessert. If 8 bucks is going to break my wallet, I probably should not be going to Europe to begin with.

Yes, it is nickel and diming us all...but everyone is doing it, and it will only get worse until they start making money again.


------------------
Friends don't let friends fly RJ's
I am not real smart, but I can lift heavy things.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by syzygy8:
Foreign exchange is one of the big reasons why int'l alcohol was always free. "I'm sorry, all I have is rupees. How much for a whisky?"</font>

On my way back from LGW last month, I bought a duty-free item with my leftovers. It was something like $70 and I gave them all my euros, all my pounds, and asked how many more dollars to settle the bill. It must have taken 20 minutes to calculate. I felt bad for putting them through it but since I would probably lose the money before I'm in Europe again, it was basically free stuff (about $5 in USD)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Seth:
Here is a novel way of avoiding the $4.00 per drink charge...don't drink. Going without alcohol for 8-10 hours is not fatal, even if one is addicted to it. </font>


8-10 hours in a steel tube in coach is rough. Booze helps pass the time and aids in sleeping. ( Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by syzygy8:
Well, to quote Willy Wonka, "Scratch that. Reverse it."</font>

It's
" Strike that , reverse it."

Since you botched it..
"You lose! You get nothing! Good day sir!"
http://www.utexas.edu/students/psc/wonka/lose.wav



[This message has been edited by audio-nut (edited 09-05-2002).]