Hartsa

I can confirm this. Never got a newspaper as Silver. Yet to fly as Gold so can't comment on that.

SPBanker

It's not 100% sure, but I get offered newspapers much more often than not.

miikka

I started receiving the newspaper as a Silver member, during Gold time it got more consistent and covered almost 100% of my flights - as a Platinum it is almost guaranteed, I think I have missed only 1-2 flights.

One of the recent flights was full of status members and they just got confused. They missed me and when they started selling the newspapers, I showed my Platinum card, they apologized their mistake and handed over my free newspaper.

One of the flights which was again full of status members, I observed that most likely all Platinum members received two newspapers (Ilta-Sanomat and Kauppalehti) and rest of the status members received one.

FFlash

I think the newspapers are truly a hit and miss, not a policy.

I recently overheard a Gold member two rows behind me asking for newspaper and the FA apologized sorry we have only for Emeralds. I (AY Plat) had my paper wihtout asking.

It seems also that if the flight has numerous elites, they don't waste time about newspapers and hand out nobody, but when there is only a couple elites, then they take care of it.

However, the new free drink thing is interesting, I will try it next week. If not offered, I will ask if there is a policy or not.

nordic

Is it only offered to Platinums or are OWEs also included?

remymartin

I've never been proactively offered a newspaper as OWS or OWE (non-AY).

mpkz

I've been offered them maybe 3/4 times out of maybe 10+ flights, both as OWS and OWE non-AY

The_Director

I flew JFK-LAX in Y (AA), food for sale only, soft drinks complimentary.

I ordered a rum & Coke, but no charge, the flight attendant thanked me for my business and refilled me as well. Would've refilled me a second time as well, but I figured I'd better be sharp after landing

Justinus

Same here! I used to get the newspaper already as a lowly Silver. But since those times I have virtually never taken a flight in Y...

harri

Yes, that's standard at AA for OneWorld Emeralds - AA marks all Emeralds in the flight manifest as Ex Plats and they get complimentary alcoholic beverage and snack in the main cabin.

TTL

Recently on HEL-LPA received one drink on the house (gin and tonic) for myself and spouse. After asking, also Iltasanomat. On LPA-HEL return, received two drinks (cognac and red wine) for myself and one drink (red wine) for the spouse. There were no newspapers on that flight, but the friendly attendant checked the closets and delivered one slightly worn out but up to date Iltasanomat, without asking.

The_Director

Sort of "semi" "soft perk"...but here's the deal.

I think it is mandatory to show a boarding pass when entering the AA lounges at JFK.

I was in a hurry, I had about 35-40 minutes transit time coming from LAX to JFK and going for the AY006 HEL flight.

I had some mandatory shopping that I had to do, since I didn't make it to shops in LA before, VS + some swedish snus from the Tax free. So I walked fast from the Gate 40 to the VS shop next to gate 4 and then back to the Tax Free and got some snus. Then I figured I had only like 15 minutes left, so I headed up to the lounge.

I said to the lady at the desk that I have only a few minutes to spare, I'll grab a coffee, something to eat and go for a restroom break. I only had to to flash my AY+ Plat card to get in to the Flagship lounge and the lady at the desk didn't ask for my boarding pass or anything.

Very nice and fast. Usually when I've had more time, and I've been to the AA lounge it's taken a "long" time to get in and they sort of "inspect" the boarding passes and so on.

SPBanker

That's nice. JFK lounges always take FOREVER to get in, scanning the BP is rarely enough, lots of furious punching of keyboard etc.

Unsub

Does one receive new upgrade vouchers while climbing up the tier levels while already a plat? So if I reach plat again, would've I gained the original 2LH+4SH and the 2LH+8SH after reaching gold -> plat again?

intuition

Each new tier comes with new vouchers, but only if you climb the tiers. Not when renewing plat.

Renewing plat does not mean you go via gold. Only if you fail to renew plat, you will be downgraded to Gold at year end, and then get 4SH vouchers for next year.