Does Free Alcohol in MCE Decrease the Value of Gold Status?
May 29, 2018, 5:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 532
Does Free Alcohol in MCE Decrease the Value of Gold Status?
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?
May 29, 2018, 7:14 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
It has also been reported that the seats are getting more expensive, for buy ups. Arguably you're getting more valuable benefits as a gold member, because you will now be eligible to get a free drink if main cabin extra seats are available within 24 hours.
May 29, 2018, 7:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
May 29, 2018, 8:02 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
MCE is still pretty pricey on long hauls. Maybe a few more people will buy up on shorter flights, especially if they're gold already - it can be as low as $10-15 on shorter flights, so if you have a drink every time you fly that makes it a good deal. Personally I can remember the last time I paid for alcohol when I was alone (I drink in the lounge and when I'm gambling and sometimes in F), so I can't personally identify.
May 29, 2018, 9:11 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,247
May 29, 2018, 9:20 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Programs: AA PLT, 1.8mm
Posts: 6,988
May 29, 2018, 9:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Sometimes the FA will give a CK/EXP two instead of one drink. Others go strictly by the limit of one.
If it is more than one drink - then I suspect a CK/EXP in MCE would get more than one. They may give you two - but I doubt they would give you 4 or 5. Likely what was said above - a drink per cart service. Some people ask for a double, maybe they would accommodate that - but we will see. Probably more up to the FA working at the time.
If it is more than one drink - then I suspect a CK/EXP in MCE would get more than one. They may give you two - but I doubt they would give you 4 or 5. Likely what was said above - a drink per cart service. Some people ask for a double, maybe they would accommodate that - but we will see. Probably more up to the FA working at the time.
May 30, 2018, 11:23 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Only 13% of AA passengers fly more than once per year. My guess is that the 87% percent of passengers are deciding if they want to cross the hurdle between Basic Economy which is anywhere from $10-$300, will not be down for another $10-$40 at that point. It seems like a move to scrape a few extra bucks from business passengers that are not yet elite; however, every job that I've had wont even let me expense extra leg room seats, so in the end, it should be ok for Gold folks.
May 30, 2018, 2:55 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas Area
Programs: AA EX PLT, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 149
I am retiring this year and will not hit ExPlat this year and become a leisure traveler from now on.
I have 3 million miles on AA and this is good news for my wife and myself.
As a permanent Platinum I always get to book a MCE seat on my trips.
I have 3 million miles on AA and this is good news for my wife and myself.
As a permanent Platinum I always get to book a MCE seat on my trips.
May 30, 2018, 3:18 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
No. I think the implication here is that it will make more people buy MCE, which will reduce availability at T-24. But this ignores the fact that MCE seats often come open just before T-24 as higher level elites (who selected MCE at time of booking) get upgraded.
Plus it increases the value of "free MCE at T-24", which is a Gold benefit.
Plus it increases the value of "free MCE at T-24", which is a Gold benefit.
May 30, 2018, 4:04 pm
#14
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
No. It adds a benefit to MCE pax with no harm to anyone else, whether they bought up (people who are driven by cost will snatch BE) or status.
May 31, 2018, 2:45 am
#15
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
Hopefully they let exp have free sparkling or something, if they're going to charge extra for that.