Enhancements in Main Cabin Extra Seating (now Q2 2018)
May 24, 2018, 9:38 pm
#257
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
May 24, 2018, 10:26 pm
#258
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 107
I'm curious, when this goes into effect, if an EP happens to be seated in the main cabin not in a MCE designated seat, theoretically will they only be served one complimentary alcoholic beverage whereas those in MCE will get more than one?
On smaller regional jets (RJ140 for example), there's not a whole lot of MCE to go around for everyone.
On smaller regional jets (RJ140 for example), there's not a whole lot of MCE to go around for everyone.
May 25, 2018, 1:22 am
#259
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MSP/DFW
Programs: Priority Club PLT, Marriott Titanium, AA EXP
Posts: 480
So at first glance, I was thinking that this may create some open rows as people won't be allowed to just come sit in the open MCE seats. Then it dawned on me that they will just be filled with standbys and basic economy folks. So in the end, several of these will still go to folks who did not pay for MCE. (Outside of elites who are entitled to them.)
May 25, 2018, 9:24 am
#260
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
Jun 5, 2018, 9:45 am
#261
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 170
So with this change is American going to expand what they call MCE on LUS A321s? Currently rows 6-8 are "Preferred" but not "MCE." The total number of actual MCE seats on a LUS A321 is 15, compared to 30 on a 737 or 24 on a 319. Not proportional. Makes a big difference for me because I go through PHX a lot so I'm frequently on these awful, awful planes and I'm a Plat Pro which is typically good for around number 12 of 35ish on the upgrade standby list. American copying Delta on this is a welcome change but only if it applies to a meaningful number of seats.
Jun 5, 2018, 10:09 am
#262
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: BHM
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 70
I notice they've now added "Beer, wine and spirits are on us" to the Main Cabin Extra info page on aa.com. They also quietly snuck this in there: "Gold members who buy Main Cabin Extra seats on or after September 5, 2018 will no longer receive a 50% discount." They will still be complimentary with 24 hours of departure.
Jun 5, 2018, 10:34 am
#263
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 200
I notice they've now added "Beer, wine and spirits are on us" to the Main Cabin Extra info page on aa.com. They also quietly snuck this in there: "Gold members who buy Main Cabin Extra seats on or after September 5, 2018 will no longer receive a 50% discount." They will still be complimentary with 24 hours of departure.
Jun 5, 2018, 10:46 am
#264
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: TX
Programs: AA: EXP MR: Ti
Posts: 495
So with this change is American going to expand what they call MCE on LUS A321s? Currently rows 6-8 are "Preferred" but not "MCE." The total number of actual MCE seats on a LUS A321 is 15, compared to 30 on a 737 or 24 on a 319. Not proportional. Makes a big difference for me because I go through PHX a lot so I'm frequently on these awful, awful planes and I'm a Plat Pro which is typically good for around number 12 of 35ish on the upgrade standby list. American copying Delta on this is a welcome change but only if it applies to a meaningful number of seats.
Be careful what you wish for. -- Project Oasis -- coming to a LUS321 near you in the next few years.
Jun 5, 2018, 11:05 am
#265
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PBI
Programs: DL 2.8 MM/PM, AA MM/GLD, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,746
Now, this is a net loss for me. I buy "up" to MCE at time of booking when flying AA and. One or two drinks on an evening flight home almost offsets the additional cost without the 50% discount given to Golds, but since I'm not going to have an alcohol beverage on a morning flight, will be less likely to pay the buy-up cost now.
Jun 5, 2018, 11:11 am
#266
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 170
The existing LUS A321 coach seats already have imperceptible recline, so that's a wash. Not a huge fan of most of the first class seats either, so if Oasis replaces them with F seats comparable to the 319 retrofits then that's fine by me as well.
Jun 5, 2018, 11:28 am
#269
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
Because AA is offering free alcoholic beverages, after previously charging for them, I expected they would change something else to offset the loss of revenue. Ending the 50% discount for Golds is one way to do that.
Jun 5, 2018, 11:30 am
#270
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
It's nice to see how us EXPs are often overlooked with official communication. My wife and daughter (also GLD) get more program notifications than me, for sure.