Enhancements in Main Cabin Extra Seating (now Q2 2018)
Jun 6, 2018, 10:00 am
#286
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
2. Warn you to not smugly inform your travelling companions that you are entitled to a free drink and they are not.
Jun 6, 2018, 10:09 am
#287
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MSP/DFW
Programs: Priority Club PLT, Marriott Titanium, AA EXP
Posts: 480
Update from last night's flight. So upon boarding, I was aisle seat, another gentleman was at the window, and we started chatting about how nice it was that we had an open middle. I then informed him that starting today the seats included alcoholic beverages. He said he did not know about that and thought that was pretty cool. He then fell asleep before the first beverage service came through, so needless to say he did not order anything during the time when all this confusion with the FA went down. He woke up about an hour and a half later, and then a second drink service came through and he ordered a beer from this same FA. I thought to myself, uh-oh, I just got done telling this guy about free drinks in this section and now this FA is going to charge him for this beer and it's going to get awkward. She went to the back of the plane to get the type of beer he wanted and I quickly grabbed my phone and started pulling up the email so I could show it to her when she asked him for his card. Well, perhaps enough people had mentioned something or she actually read her email during the flight, but when she came back with the beer she just handed it to him and did not charge.
Jun 6, 2018, 10:48 am
#289
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,035
What a sh** show. I can't believe there's not some system in place for FA's (and other work groups as applicable) to electronically acknowledge receipt and understanding of operational changes such a this so that management can ensure the employees have received the information and follow up on those who have not acknowledged.
I had a similar situation (kind of) -- I was in F recently and the FA was taking orders, had his manifest, and looked at me and said "Pro (I think is what he said) ... hmmm I've never seen that before. That must mean you're extra special". I just played dumb as I didn't think it was my place to train the FA on the new elite level that his company introduced about a year prior. He must also not read his email very often
Does anyone have any insight on this?
I had a similar situation (kind of) -- I was in F recently and the FA was taking orders, had his manifest, and looked at me and said "Pro (I think is what he said) ... hmmm I've never seen that before. That must mean you're extra special". I just played dumb as I didn't think it was my place to train the FA on the new elite level that his company introduced about a year prior. He must also not read his email very often
Does anyone have any insight on this?
Jun 6, 2018, 10:52 am
#290
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Really confused about the revenue strategy here. As a gold, I buy MCE seats 25% of the time, which will now be 0%, also looking at the thread, I am not alone. Wondering if the 85% of AA's customers that fly once a year will shell out the extra cash for the MCE seat? I'm guessing no.
Jun 6, 2018, 11:08 am
#291
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
I'm a gold and never buy an MCE. I've not once been unable to grab one at T minus 24 if I hadn't already gotten a lucky upgrade to F. AA is banking on some Golds to continue buying at the undiscounted price, and other non-elite customers paying outright. But what AA is really doing is trying to match Delta. If they hadn't introduced free alcohol in comfort +, I doubt AA would lead the pack and do something so innovative.
Jun 6, 2018, 12:28 pm
#292
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,662
Jun 6, 2018, 12:50 pm
#294
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
Was this on 3 separate trips through the cabin by the FA for beverage/snack service or all 3 at the same time?
Jun 6, 2018, 2:05 pm
#296
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 50
Jun 6, 2018, 2:10 pm
#297
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 591
This is interesting because they recently changed 25A/F to "preferred" rather than "MCE". I assumed that change was directly related to the free alcohol so that there wouldn't be confusion over the window seats getting the benefit while the middle/aisle don't.
Jun 6, 2018, 2:12 pm
#298
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,224
In the past, I've almost always been offered free alcohol in the MC. I sort of unintentionally flirt with the FAs. I like to ask them where they like to non-rev and I usually get into long conversations and stories with them. They usually ask me if I'd like anything to drink on the house. Ironically, I'm not doing it for free drinks, but because I'm genuinely curious.
Jun 6, 2018, 2:15 pm
#299
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I usually always get a double of what I'm drinking when in MC/MCE......don't have to bother them again for a refill. Only once did an FA tell me: "I'll have to charge you for the 2nd drink" - to which I said: that's fine, and I'll also take advantage of complimentary snack then too (wasn't even hungry and gave it to a passenger near me in the exit row).
