Originally Posted by
Pascoe
Fwiw, I upgraded at check-in today and was offered all the usual F&B on the flight. However what I did note was that the lady at the ticketing kiosk did phone through to somewhere for clarification before swiping my card. What the clarification was for I am not sure (she merely asked if it was ok to sell me the seat, to some unknown person on the other end of the line). But I'd be willing to bet it was that.
You will find more information about this in the AUP thread, but the agent was calling the FMU (Flight Management Unit) to see whether they could clear your AUP for you. FMU may have had some insight as to the meal situation, but the call is primarily to get AUP clearance since that's by no means automatic. Do too many AUPs and FMU will say no at some unknown point. The price of AUP is typically lower than the fare difference amount, which is what the Contact Centre can see and charge, they don't get visibility on the AUP situation, which as the name suggests is purely an airport controlled arrangement. Some people do indeed pay fare difference, since that guarantees they can get into the higher cabin, AUP is discretionary.