Perhaps I didn't word my original post too well, but several people in this thread seem to think this was a big argument from raging alcoholic who couldn't go an hour without a drink. Please don't assume or imply that we got into argument because of what I posted here (or that I'm alcoholic for that matter), or that I had an attitude. Neither of us raised our voices, and none of the passengers even blinked an eye.

I politely asked for a drink and she said that it wasn't possible because they didn't have any. That invites a response because we both know it isn't true. Then she mentions everyone else would want one. Had she said "AA policy is not to serve anyone in coach on this flight" I would have dropped it right there, as there is really nothing you can say about that statement. If I disagreed with AA's policy, then I would contact AA, not take it up with the FA who is just enforcing a policy. But that was never stated.

This is the first time I've asked for anything in coach on that short of a flight, but why do they announce that there is no service, but please ask if you need anything? The meaning (to me anyway) of that has always been, we aren't going to make the rounds given the short duration, so you if you want something, ask. Often I've heard them use the term "service will be on request only". I've seen countless people ask for a drink over the years on this type of flight and get it without any question. But that's really not my point.

The only reason I even mentioned my status was because of the charge. If I'd asked for a soda or water like I normally do, I never would have mentioned it. There are ways to mention your status without throwing it someone's face.

The reason I tried to give her the cert, is I thought that she was going out of her way to provide something out of courtesy that wasn't normally offered. If I was pissed at her I obviously wouldn't have done so. Perhaps her interpretation was different. Perhaps she was having a bad day. Perhaps she just doesn't care about the certs. Perhaps she feared someone else would want a drink (she was pretty discreet in the way she handed it to me).