Does Free Alcohol in MCE Decrease the Value of Gold Status?
#17
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Palm Beach
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 790
I'm a free agent and loving it (all personal travel). When priced the same out of my airport - non-hub so usually connecting - I have been choosing Delta for their EC rather than MCE on AA because they do serve alcohol.
#18
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
An exception would apply in the case where someone is doing a bunch of MRs to obtain EXP so they can get a free drink in coach-- in this case, they can now buy up to MCE and be just as happy (of course, ignoring all the other benefits of status). But again, it's creating more ways to get a benefit (buy MCE or have status, not just one or the other). That's unquestionably a good thing for frequent flyers.
#19
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
If you get free booze, you get free booze. Why does it matter that the guy next to you also gets it and what he paid for his seat?
If that mattered, people would go nuts over the fact the they paid $1,000 for a seat which somebody else bought for $200.
If that mattered, people would go nuts over the fact the they paid $1,000 for a seat which somebody else bought for $200.
#21
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 83
Everyone gets sparkling according to T+L The Hidden Perk You'll Get With American Airlines? Extra Legroom Seats Travel + Leisure. I find it hard to believe that 1 free drink per flight was such a value point over the other exclusive EXP benefits that remain.
I can't remember the last time any flight I was on--including TA--had any sparkling wine available in regular coach, MCE, nor even PE. It's been years, despite claims to the contrary in the back of the magazine or on the beverage menu.
I did just case out MCE prices on a trip I have next week and I think they have increased the MCE prices (unless they were already liquid) to cover the booze. I paid $24 each way (at 50%, so retail at $48 each) and they are now showing at $32 each, so that would be $64 retail. That's a third more expensive that they were a couple months ago when I bought the ticket. I have another trip at the end of the month where I have NOT bought MCE and I think I'll wait until T-24 to see what happens.
#22
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 550
I have a seven segment RT booked for July and was lucky enough to get a free status challenge through work which has bumped me up to Plat again from Gold. Free MCE + a drink if my upgrade does not clear? Sign me up!
#23
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
I don’t think it decreases any value for elites - those who already receives a drink will continue to receive one and those who didn’t now will receive one.
If MCE prices went up then this decreases the value for those who pays for MCE and doesn’t consume alcohol.
What I wonder is this benefit only valid on the first round and if someone wants a second they will have to pay? Sorry a little out of the loop on this new benefit.
If MCE prices went up then this decreases the value for those who pays for MCE and doesn’t consume alcohol.
What I wonder is this benefit only valid on the first round and if someone wants a second they will have to pay? Sorry a little out of the loop on this new benefit.
#24
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
I see the complimentary access to MCE within 24 hours of the flight as the greatest benefit of Gold status.
Now that MCE includes free alcohol, I wonder if more people will buy up to MCE and decrease chances of a Gold member getting a free MCE seat within 24 hours of the flight. Thoughts?
Now that MCE includes free alcohol, I wonder if more people will buy up to MCE and decrease chances of a Gold member getting a free MCE seat within 24 hours of the flight. Thoughts?
As to the questions about whether you get one per beverage service or not, it's probably a moot point for me. The vast majority of my flights are 2.5 to 3.25 hours. I've only seen the FA's come around with the beverage carts 2X in Y one time over the last year-and-half that I've been paying attention.
#25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
Everyone gets sparkling according to T+L The Hidden Perk You'll Get With American Airlines? Extra Legroom Seats Travel + Leisure. I find it hard to believe that 1 free drink per flight was such a value point over the other exclusive EXP benefits that remain.
I mean overall it's good, by reducing perceived value i mean when I list whether exp is worth it or not, this factor is no longer part of the calculation (think about justifying MRs to a colleague - you won't be able to say, cause I am exp, I get free drinks even when I have to sit in the back - they'll just say, but I get that too).
#27
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 158
Hello,
My question might be slightly off-topic, but will an Ex Plat sitting in a non-MCE seat in coach, still receive a free alcoholic beverage? Or with the new rules, do they have to be sitting in an MCE seat to receive the free beverage?
Thanks.
My question might be slightly off-topic, but will an Ex Plat sitting in a non-MCE seat in coach, still receive a free alcoholic beverage? Or with the new rules, do they have to be sitting in an MCE seat to receive the free beverage?
Thanks.
#28
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: United Premier Platinum
Posts: 638
They should absolutely still receive it, as that’s a published EXP benefit and totally different than the MCE enhancement.
#29
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Nice quiet place in The Fla Keys
Programs: AA - My other choices are severely limited
Posts: 72
Just to add insight as to the product cost (I'm ITB), a bottle of Woodford Reserve is invoiced to AA at a cost of around 53 cents, delivered to the caterer.
Add on the additional cost of putting it on the aircraft and carry it around in the air makes me believe there would be hardly any significant increase in MCE fares.
Add on the additional cost of putting it on the aircraft and carry it around in the air makes me believe there would be hardly any significant increase in MCE fares.
#30
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Just to add insight as to the product cost (I'm ITB), a bottle of Woodford Reserve is invoiced to AA at a cost of around 53 cents, delivered to the caterer.
Add on the additional cost of putting it on the aircraft and carry it around in the air makes me believe there would be hardly any significant increase in MCE fares.
Add on the additional cost of putting it on the aircraft and carry it around in the air makes me believe there would be hardly any significant increase in MCE fares.
Some have reported MCE prices have gone up nominally and one case posted above they went up around $8.
In the grand scheme of things I think this enhancement will be neutral for AA’s bottom line. All a wash between the slightly incremental revenue they will see from MCE revenue and the added cost of serving free drinks.