MilesBuzz! - Another 1000 bonus miles out of the blue

I received a mailing today from Bob Sobczewski, Manager Onboard Services for United Airlines. Enclosed with the form letter was a three page survey about beverage preferences. Fill it out, mail it back (postage paid) and receive 1000 UA miles in 8-10 weeks. Took me 3 minutes to complete.

Too bad it was just about beverages as I wanted to let them know that we all want an increase in mustard pretzel availability! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Gee I didn't receive this survey in the mail. Is it because I'm an Australian? I feel soooooo discriminated against.

I wonder if this survey is on-line anywhere. I'll happily fill out this any any other surveys for freebie miles. [Any United staff reading this my MP number is 0118243478] You have my address.]

cheers Peter

this sounds like a legitimate survey to me that goes to an "N" sample of UA customers (they may use their ff list as a proxy for all UA customers) so wouldn't be posted.

I did not get that survey, YET. Maybe it's because I'm from New Jersey.

But I don't mind answering surveys, especially when 1K miles is involved! I can tell them a LOT about beverages (Like: PUT PEPSI on the MENU!!!) CATMAN

I'm sure it was a random survey as my wife didn't receive this mailing and she is a Premier Executive just like me.

this reminds me of a pet gripe of mine
I enjoy good wines . So why is it when I travel first class on a two class United domestic flight, they dont serve US wines???
Are they too expensive . Certainly the quality is available . Most times, United 737, 727 and Airbus aircraft serve cheaper Chilean or French wines ( not that those countries dont produce high quality wines )
AND why only 2 bottles each of Sparkling white wine and chardonnay on board on these aircraft types for flights of up to 5 houtrs?? ( eg LAX to MCO or SFO to BDL )

It is unconscionable that flights sometimes run out of champers (or, should I say methode . . .). I notice this seems to happen to me a lot. Hic, wonder if there's a connection. Jerry -- I've heard others opine that good champers is wasted in the air as it 'doesn't taste right.' What's your experience? Others? Y'all chime in now.
Ringy Dingy,
KatW

Rudi & others had a discussion about this a while ago... (in the United thread, I think, quite a long time back) I think that the bubbles don't respond well to the wrong airpressure.

Perhaps he can offer his opinion again?

taste is individual: "se non disputante".

so, first of all order/drink/like what you want - not what others/conventions/I say/write.

All beverages with bubbles behave/taste different under different air-pressure: there will be more bubbles once you are airborne - and the champagne will be "flat" much faster afterwards - but may be that's what you individually want - and may be, you don't care, or may be that you even don't notice because you don't compare. The Connaisseur will enjoy his/her glass (or two) of champagne best before being airborne - on ground in first/business-class: the bubbles are not yet influenced by falling air-pressure and the champagne is not yet "shaken"!

With champagne (and for the differences between the brands) the bubbles (and their quantity being released per second etc.) matter a lot.

AND PLEASE DON'T BE SO CRUEL TO CHAMPGNE TO "TWIRLE" THE BUBBLES OUT - THE CHAMPAGNE-PRODUCERS HAD A LOT OF WORK TO "PUT" THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF BUBBLES IN.

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 01-19-99).]

Catman, Does Jerzee have a zip code? Maybe that's why you did not get the survey.

Also, does it follow that Texas Champagne(Beer) gets "flat" faster in the air and does not taste the same?

The champaign that I got as a gift on my flight to DFW (an early B-day gift from U-A)
was not bad. In fact on New Year's Day it had me singing! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I am not a wine expert, but Rudi you can rest assured that I don't twirl the bubbles around (I see that among some people who must be in first for the first time) and it makes me ill.

Some of the wines do taste a bit flat, but if I remember on some U-A flights they have pretty decent California reds.

And special for JAWS: NO, Jerzee doesn't have a zip code but we control the mail! And the beer and teh wine shipments! CATMAN

Rudi -- thanks beaucoup for your tres informative post viz. champers in the air. Much appreciated.

Catman -- agreed! I like that United sparkling, too. North Coast (California) something or other.

Kat W and Catman, whenever you are in Switzerland (welcome) you will not have to miss your (UA's) californian wines - just be my guest (and before have a look at my father's/brothers company and wine-list http://www.martel.ch)

Catman, Champaign is in Illinois and it has a zip code. Champagne is in France.

Rudi -- you definitely are a vine worth cultivating!

I believe the airlines do a lot of inflight testing to determine the best high altitude champagnes and sparkling wines. There can never be too much good wine on a flight!
One tip from my recent trip to Bolivia. Travel Doctors recommend tablets called acetazolamide to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness ( and they are partly effective in my experience). One side effect is the alteration of our taste bud function such" fizzy"( ie aerated with carbon dioxide ) drinks taste salty and unpleasant. This refers to the above liquid medications as well as to beer and Pepsi etc.
Be Warned!

Oh lordy lordy, this late in life I discover my true vocation -- How and Where do I apply for "testing champagne at high altitutes"?

KatW, UA did sponsor the '98 California Wine Exchange at the SF Downtown Marriott a couple of months ago. They invited their local 1K's and gave us this 200 page bible with information about all the wines being tasted and asked us to note which ones we would like to see on future UA flights. They also hosted a reception before the event. Of course, my flight was rerouted to Oakland and I missed most of the event since my tickets were being held at the SFO 1K center. Sometimes I can predict these things....

You must listen to Rudi. He is, after all, this group's expert on booze.