It's sad that United has found a way to make even this type of amenity a chore. I was subjected to matronly-like conduct at Chicago RCC-terminal C recently, so pulled out all the stops to satisfy my curiousity.

On arrival at ORD from LHR, I was denied a drink coupon (had to ask / not offered) while I waited for my connection. They quoted a rule saying only International passengers at the gateway of their international outbound flight are given chits. I fell off my chair in disbelief at such a paraochial rule.

I would not move on until I had a name to complain to -- I wrote to Nina Moore at WHQ and had the following response from "Peter White - Red Carpet Club":

>>>>>>>>>>
Thank you for contacting us.

Nina Moore has asked me to respond to your concerns. Drink coupons should be provided to United First, United Business Class and Star Gold customers at the customer's international gateway point. We regret that
they cannot be provided to all of our premium customers regardless of their travel.

Your concerns are very mportant to us. We regret that we have disappointed you and would like to offer you 2 complimentary drink coupons this one time for your future use. Please return this e-mail with your current address and they will be mailed to you.

Best Regards,

Peter White
Red Carpet Club
>>>>>>>>>>

I wrote back to thank them for their response and politely declined their offer to mail extra coupons. The "Moment of Truth" had passed -- it was on that day of travel after a long international flight when my expectations were not met. It coloured the whole trip, all for the sake of a couple of pointless drink coupons.

Since then, I've decided not to renew the RCC membership, so UA loses again. And here we are, several months later, still talking about it = bad PR.

------------------
- Bob