Better service in first class - upgrades vs paid fare
Apr 27, 2017, 6:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, GlobalEntry, Admirals Club, United Club
Posts: 1,948
Better service in first class - upgrades vs paid fare
Has anyone noticed a difference in how AA FAs treat people who are upgraded into first vs people who paid for their tickets? Does the flight manifest show this information? I sat next to someone the other day and the FA was being very attentive to him (my service was perfectly fine so absolutely no complaints) and was just curious what sort of information they have.
Apr 27, 2017, 6:57 am
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I've been flying AA well over sixty years and have been AAdvantage elite of some kind since 1986. I've not noticed any differences in FA treatment once my posterior is in a J or F seat regardless of how it got there, upgrade instrument, op up or money. Yes, the manifest will show the information you ask about.
I have noticed some passengers being treated with greater deference or greater degrees of attentiveness. These have often been VIPs or celebrities, very frequent or recognized fliers, or similar categories (such as the chap with a lifetime AirPass in the F cabin with his father in F one FRA-DFW flight - he flew DFW-FRA-ZRH with his father at least twice monthly, as well as on many other flights.
I have noticed some passengers being treated with greater deference or greater degrees of attentiveness. These have often been VIPs or celebrities, very frequent or recognized fliers, or similar categories (such as the chap with a lifetime AirPass in the F cabin with his father in F one FRA-DFW flight - he flew DFW-FRA-ZRH with his father at least twice monthly, as well as on many other flights.
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 27, 2017 at 7:04 am Reason: Add link
Apr 27, 2017, 8:44 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
The U.S. legacy carriers have long used flight manifests displaying frequent flyer status. I don't have JDiver's length of experience but my question to a Delta FA about the meaning of the code goes back at least 25 years. She sent back the purser who gave me an answer in a lovely Georgia accent: It means you're special to the Delta family.
IIRC, United used (still uses?) paid fares vs. awards to determine meal preference when all first choices aren't available. IME, AA and DL have not copied that. You're up front but you're still really a peasant is not a good philosophy nor expression (by action) to premium cabin passengers.
IIRC, United used (still uses?) paid fares vs. awards to determine meal preference when all first choices aren't available. IME, AA and DL have not copied that. You're up front but you're still really a peasant is not a good philosophy nor expression (by action) to premium cabin passengers.
Last edited by 3Cforme; Apr 27, 2017 at 10:34 am
Apr 27, 2017, 9:10 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA PP
Posts: 541
In F I've never gotten any special service or recognition. When I was a US CP and failed to get an upgrade or lost it due to changing to an earlier flight and was in economy I would sometimes be recognized by a FA who knew my status and asked if I wanted a complimentary cocktail from F or in one case she brought some of those Immaculata cookies with a glass of wine--without my asking.
Apr 27, 2017, 9:11 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: LAS
Programs: PA FT, TW Gold, NW/CO PE, VK Eagleflyer
Posts: 7,173
Apr 27, 2017, 9:57 am
#11
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
Before the AA-US merger, when I flew PHL/CLT to Europe in Envoy, the FA usually went about the cabin asking people their menu choices in odd orders... It seemed that they started with paid fares, then CP upgrades, then miles+$$, then whoever else was left.
I saw the same a few times on domestic US flights, mostly between PHX and PHL.
Other than meal choices, I haven't seen any difference.
I saw the same a few times on domestic US flights, mostly between PHX and PHL.
Other than meal choices, I haven't seen any difference.
Apr 27, 2017, 10:17 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 652
Decades now of flying AA in F and Y. I have noticed no overt difference in FA's service/interaction based on my current status, upgrade, points or paid fare. I have though, noticed more positive, attentive service when there has been a brief friendly, personal interaction/conversation with an FA. I'm an extrovert and work in a public relations capacity so I feel comfortable chatting with strangers. (No, I'm not the guy that talks to my seat mate unsolicited.) But, I found many times a kind word or compliment to an FA often goes a long way to enhance my on board experience. A simple please and thank you does a lot. imho.
Apr 27, 2017, 10:22 am
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Most FAs know very little of the upgrade process, how elites qualify and why and how people are sitting up front. Their overriding concerns other than hopefully providing excellent service are bidding for trips, the hotel they will be overnighting and getting certain days off
Apr 27, 2017, 11:28 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,645
Most FAs know very little of the upgrade process, how elites qualify and why and how people are sitting up front. Their overriding concerns other than hopefully providing excellent service are bidding for trips, the hotel they will be overnighting and getting certain days off
And even if a curious FA knew the process and the codes and everything, he/she sees hundreds of passengers everyday and on a given flight there can be an upgraded person due to irrops, an EXP on comp grade, an EXP with paid F, a PLAT on irrops, a self upgrader..geez...so many types of pax, who would want to keep truck of so much stuff?
Oh wait, I smiled at 2A, was I supposed to smile at 2B? did I offer an extra pour of wine to 3B? should I have poured 3c? such a complication.
Would even the union allow it as it would be too much burden for the FA to keep track of all these things?
