'decent' coach seats now blocked?
May 19, 2015, 2:22 pm
#61
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,029
Don't get too excited yet. At T-45 min. I had all of row 16 to myself. At boarding time every seat was full. On any flight where there is a waitlist (which is amost every flight into/out of SEA) they are going to fill the seats with passengers on the waitlist.
May 19, 2015, 3:18 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
As far as I can tell based on recent travel and upcoming seat availability for my reservations, AA Gold members do not have access to these seats in advance, but do have the ability to select remaining seats for free at T-24–so the benefit is sort of in between what's available to non-status pax and Alaska elites.
May 19, 2015, 9:59 pm
#63
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
We just flew 6Dand 6F , LAX/ SEA tonight and were not offered a free drink.
Any rumors that MVP's are making out like bandits with Preferred Plus can be put to rest.
6 A and 6 C also were offered only comp drinks.
FA had printed manifest with names of Golds etc. 6E was filled at last minute, then he moved to 7C before takeoff. They were looking for him at service for his free drink.
No worries, we already our evening drinks in The Boardroom before flight.
Observation- is it just me or has the Fruit and Cheese Platter's fruit quality gone downhill and with only 2 slices of Apple? Just a thought.....BBQ sandwich pretty OK. Hot and not dry, coleslaw best when added to sandwich. Husband gives it ^
Any rumors that MVP's are making out like bandits with Preferred Plus can be put to rest.
6 A and 6 C also were offered only comp drinks.
FA had printed manifest with names of Golds etc. 6E was filled at last minute, then he moved to 7C before takeoff. They were looking for him at service for his free drink.
No worries, we already our evening drinks in The Boardroom before flight.
Observation- is it just me or has the Fruit and Cheese Platter's fruit quality gone downhill and with only 2 slices of Apple? Just a thought.....BBQ sandwich pretty OK. Hot and not dry, coleslaw best when added to sandwich. Husband gives it ^
May 20, 2015, 8:54 am
#64
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SMF/HPN
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, SPG Gold, TSA PreCheck
Posts: 464
Here is the FAQ
If I’m an Alaska MVP or American Airlines elite-level AAdvantage member in this seat, do I get a free drink?
Complimentary upgrades do not come with a free beverage.
The free drink is only available to customers who have purchased paid upgrades. However, MVP Golds and
Gold 75Ks are always entitled to a complimentary premium beverage when traveling in the main cabin.
Complimentary upgrades do not come with a free beverage.
The free drink is only available to customers who have purchased paid upgrades. However, MVP Golds and
Gold 75Ks are always entitled to a complimentary premium beverage when traveling in the main cabin.
Although, on the other hand, at least they didn't take away my row 6 from me!
May 20, 2015, 9:04 am
#65
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,029
That was my point. If preferred plus includes a free drink, then why doesn't an MVP get a free drink. Now is it really that big a deal, no....but still. It just seems to me if you get the "upgrade" by being an elite then you should get the perk that comes with the upgrade. That being said, at least they didnt downgrade MVP and block them out of the upgrade.
May 20, 2015, 10:49 am
#67
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,834
May 20, 2015, 10:57 am
#68
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SMF/HPN
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, SPG Gold, TSA PreCheck
Posts: 464
P.S. I'm not whining, I'm just sharing my confusion about "tier-ing benefits" in this way. I don't really care about the free drink or the paid drink. I know that Delta offers free drinks (note: plural as in more than one) for all passengers in their comfort + seating whether or not they paid for the seat -- I'm not sure about the other airlines matching this.
I just think it's foolish to make a point of only giving drinks to individuals who paid for the seat vs. all their elites in that section. Why reward the infrequent traveler who paid as little as 15$ extra for that seat vs. the frequent traveler who flies on your airline at least 20k miles per year?
May 20, 2015, 1:12 pm
#69
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,857
I just flew PHX-SEA yesterday and was surprised mine had 4 slices in it. and lots of grapes.
May 27, 2015, 10:36 pm
#70
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 205
May 28, 2015, 8:35 am
#72
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: WA, US
Programs: lots of little things
Posts: 705
The way I see it (no comment on right or wrong), Preferred Plus is just the marketing term for a paid bundle by of; seat with extra leg room, drink, and pre-boarding.
MVPGs get open access to all seating, their free drink because they are MVPG, plus their established pre boarding group.
MVPs/AA EXP and PLT get open access to seating, their established pre boarding group. The drink just continues to be unbundled.
MVPGs get open access to all seating, their free drink because they are MVPG, plus their established pre boarding group.
MVPs/AA EXP and PLT get open access to seating, their established pre boarding group. The drink just continues to be unbundled.
Sep 7, 2015, 10:58 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
First time on AS in months and first time since these were introduced. Both of my flights in row 6 had empty middles. Much better than First class. I'm certian this was the reason why
Glad i didnt chose 6ABC because it was full with a non-rev and a couple playing the "But I'm Handicapped" game.
Glad i didnt chose 6ABC because it was full with a non-rev and a couple playing the "But I'm Handicapped" game.
Sep 7, 2015, 11:44 am
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,721
First time on AS in months and first time since these were introduced. Both of my flights in row 6 had empty middles. Much better than First class. I'm certian this was the reason why
Glad i didnt chose 6ABC because it was full with a non-rev and a couple playing the "But I'm Handicapped" game.
Glad i didnt chose 6ABC because it was full with a non-rev and a couple playing the "But I'm Handicapped" game.
Sep 7, 2015, 3:35 pm
#75
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,953
My experience is that if the flight isn't full, the rows that have open seats are typically row 6 and the exit rows. Bonus for MVP/MVPG/75K's. Not sure if that was anticipated when this program rolled out but it's a nice bonus.