milesandmoremiles

the phoenix

serfty

Please advise where anything is published that contradicts AA.com such that anyone seated in MCE with a BP for that seat does not get MCE benefits.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...abin-extra.jsp

IAHtraveler

I don't see anywhere published that states "Everyone seated in the seats marked as MCE receives the benefits." The link provides states MCE can be purchased for as little as $20 or certain elites receive it for free. The only thing stated about BE is that: "Basic Economy fare tickets aren't eligible for complimentary/discounted access to Main Cabin Extra seats"

I don't see anywhere it states/eludes to "anyone seated" in those seats receives the free drinks or just those that bought it or receive it as an elite member. If it's not everyone in those seats, I agree that it's a HUGE burden on the FA to look up every passenger on the handheld to determine if they get drinks or not.

milesandmoremiles

colpuck

The policy as written says free drinks are tied to the seat regardless of the how the seat was acquired. If you sit in MCE you get free drinks.

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

Agree. If you get op-up'ed to MCE (not via payment or elite status) then the benefits don't have to apply. Where's the contractual arrangement? No payment, no cause of action.

No different from any other op-up where the amenities can be determined or withdrawn by the airline.

AANYC1981

pinniped

But this simple benefit - a drink that's available - should.

This is different from an F meal, where they may only load meals to serve passengers they know about, and wouldn't have time to load more if they have to op-up people at the gate. That's understandable. You'd still get the rest of the F service (drinks, smaller snacks, etc.) but a meal from J or Y.

In these cases where MCE pax are getting denied, it sounds more like the FA being a jerk - not a concern that the flight is going to run out of all beverages because more people ended up in MCE than they thought.

Sidebar: whenever I've received an op-up from the check-in counter (as opposed to the gate), I've had no problem using the lounge associated with my newly-ticketed cabin.

cynicAAl

Exactly. Why is this so hard for people to understand ? The MCE benefit has not stated exceptions based on how one gets to that seat. The benefits come with the seat, regardless of how you got there.

Last week, I saw a woman in a center non-MCE seat move to an empty middle exit row (MCE) seat after boarding was complete. The FA can obviously see on her handheld that this is an unassigned seat, but served alc anyway, and let her stay. I don't think it's reasonable to expect FAs to police seats and benefits based on fare class or worthiness.

pinniped

I agree that the benefits come with the seat...but I also believe FAs can (and often should) prevent outright seatpoaching. My "benefits with the seat" position isn't intended to condone sneaking into better cabins/subcabins.

deeruck

There was discussion on this on the travel blogs, and IIRC it seemed to be AA's position that pax could move after take-off and they would entitled to the benefits of those seats.

IAHtraveler

Not trying to argue, just curious where AA has stated the benefits come with the seat? I agree that they *should* and the FA shouldn't be required to look up who gets free drinks based on status/other, I just haven't seen anything from AA that explicitly states that everyone in those seats gets the benefits.

teemuflyer

From "https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/seats/main-cabin-extra.jsp"

All benefits are listed for those having their seats in MCE. How you gain access varies from being bought, to elite level eligibility, to companions of qualified elites on same reservation.

pinniped

And there's a photo of the seat with an open bottle of Tito's. No disclaimers, asterisks, reference to elite status, or anything else. Sit in MCE; Enjoy your Tito's. It's pretty clear. Clear as vodka.