FA Charging For Liquor/Drinks in MCE
Jun 25, 2018, 7:04 pm
#107
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 9,992
Heck could have just pointed to your overhead bin, which likely at this point has the sticker that says "Main Cabin Extra."
All of this is inexcusable to me. FA's get pre-flight memos all the time, every day of news and things for the airline. The MCE bit about free alcohol is surely in there, they just choose not to read or pay attention to their policy apparently.
All of this is inexcusable to me. FA's get pre-flight memos all the time, every day of news and things for the airline. The MCE bit about free alcohol is surely in there, they just choose not to read or pay attention to their policy apparently.
Jun 25, 2018, 7:06 pm
#108
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA lifetime Gold, United Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Spire, Hertz Gold
Posts: 410
I have been in MCE on every flight I have taken since the new policy came out. On my 2nd flight, the flight attendant did not know the rule apparently, so I had to let her know. After that, before getting on the plane, I pull up the page on the website that indicates free drinks and have it on my phone.
One guy was willing to pay, out of his own pocket, for drinks even though he was in MCE. The flight attendant did not charge me because I knew the policy, but she was going to charge him even after I told him about the policy. I made sure that he got them for free as well, as he was in MCE.
I think that AA does not want to do this, but they feel they have to in order to keep up with Delta.
One guy was willing to pay, out of his own pocket, for drinks even though he was in MCE. The flight attendant did not charge me because I knew the policy, but she was going to charge him even after I told him about the policy. I made sure that he got them for free as well, as he was in MCE.
I think that AA does not want to do this, but they feel they have to in order to keep up with Delta.
Jun 25, 2018, 8:34 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors LTDia, Marriott Plat
Posts: 639
Jun 25, 2018, 9:07 pm
#110
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
I have been in MCE on every flight I have taken since the new policy came out. On my 2nd flight, the flight attendant did not know the rule apparently, so I had to let her know. After that, before getting on the plane, I pull up the page on the website that indicates free drinks and have it on my phone.
One guy was willing to pay, out of his own pocket, for drinks even though he was in MCE. The flight attendant did not charge me because I knew the policy, but she was going to charge him even after I told him about the policy. I made sure that he got them for free as well, as he was in MCE.
I think that AA does not want to do this, but they feel they have to in order to keep up with Delta.
One guy was willing to pay, out of his own pocket, for drinks even though he was in MCE. The flight attendant did not charge me because I knew the policy, but she was going to charge him even after I told him about the policy. I made sure that he got them for free as well, as he was in MCE.
I think that AA does not want to do this, but they feel they have to in order to keep up with Delta.
I hope that is not the case, but I sure like your assertiveness in making sure other passengers are able to enjoy this new AA "secret" benefit.
Jun 25, 2018, 9:32 pm
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
Jun 25, 2018, 9:38 pm
#112
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
If it's advertised "as part of the selection/payment process" when the ticket is booked, then the crew should be informing passengers sitting in MCE about the benefit when they order a beverage.
Jun 25, 2018, 10:51 pm
#113
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
Really? I've never had a flight attendant in First Class say something about beverages being free.
Jun 26, 2018, 2:08 am
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
A passenger who has not paid for MCE, but is seated there on a full flight may not be aware. What's the loss to anyone?
Jun 26, 2018, 2:51 am
#116
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
My point was that no one is missing out on their free drinks here. If, like me, you have to pay for MCE then you know you are entitled to free drinks and you can mention this to the FA if they try to charge. Frequent flyers with status getting them MCE should also be aware of the changes. And can also speak for themselves.
A passenger who has not paid for MCE, but is seated there on a full flight may not be aware. What's the loss to anyone?
A passenger who has not paid for MCE, but is seated there on a full flight may not be aware. What's the loss to anyone?
I believe there is, indeed, a "loss"........the loss of goodwill and respect for an airline that does not offer a consistent product and/or enforce consistent policies.
Jun 26, 2018, 5:19 am
#117
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Maybe they had not heard the term before, but when it is used as part of an offering of "free beer, wine and spirits" it should impart a clue, or at least cause one to ask "what does that word mean"..
Jun 26, 2018, 7:53 am
#118
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
In reading Gary Leff's article on the topic today:
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...h-free-drinks/
It appears FA's are frustrated over implementation of the new policy, and AA management has no idea what is actually occurring on the aircraft.
That sounds familiar.
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...h-free-drinks/
It appears FA's are frustrated over implementation of the new policy, and AA management has no idea what is actually occurring on the aircraft.
That sounds familiar.
Jun 26, 2018, 8:29 am
#119
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 170
There is no excuse for this rollout. AA announced this in January for "spring" implementation and then delayed it until June. Plenty of time to educate FAs (even the lazy ones) and also program the tablets to not accept payments for beverages for MCE passengers.