Originally Posted by megphi

To a certain extent, you make a valid point.

But United does the same thing. I fly J on UA to South America a lot and they often recognize their Premier 1K pax's for meals (at least the old Continental crews do).

I also book many AC code fares on UA metal and I don't get those miles credited towards AC's million miles program.

At IHG and Hilton hotels, I get upgraded because of my status when I book the same room as the next guy.

It doesn't really bother me much when I'm skipped over for a meal choice at United or when somebody else get a room upgrade at a hotel I don't have status with. That's what loyalty programs do, they provide benefits to their loyal customers.

Originally Posted by winnipegrev

I get the sense his complaint was more about the 'fawning' over the SEs in the cabin, and what I believe was the cold shoulder given to him. But the optics are terrible if you see meal selections being taken during boarding, then they just stop until 45 mins later in the air when you finally get asked for yours. I've seen this happen on a number of occasions.

If the time isn't there to ask for everyone's order on the ground, in my opinion none should be taken until airborne.

Originally Posted by ACYYZ/SD

I agree with you on this point. It's a fine juggling act to try and get 42J meal orders completed on the ground.