New refrigerators filled with food for purchase at various admirals clubs
Apr 19, 2021, 8:39 pm
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/moet-...-prod226140321
They have one of these at the Grand Hyatt in Vail, CO. Too bad it's not Krug though!
They have one of these at the Grand Hyatt in Vail, CO. Too bad it's not Krug though!
Apr 19, 2021, 10:13 pm
#64
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
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Apr 20, 2021, 4:22 am
#65
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ORD, sadly...
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 599
Apr 20, 2021, 6:09 am
#66
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ILM/STT
Programs: AA Exp, Admirals Club
Posts: 192
I was glad to see it in CLT. I’ve had some crazy short layovers lately. This will come in handy when I’m not in first. Those intricate Coke machines break so easily anyway. The CLT one in the back was down last week.
As for everyone denouncing your membership, fine. Go back to the busy halls. I’ll sit and eat my snacks in peace.
As for everyone denouncing your membership, fine. Go back to the busy halls. I’ll sit and eat my snacks in peace.
Apr 20, 2021, 7:55 am
#67
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA: Exec Plat; AC: 75K; JX: Explorer; HH: Dia; Bonvoy: Gold; Wyndham: Dia
Posts: 299
Anyone actually buy anything from these yet to see how they are billing? Will the Amex Plat/Aspire reimbursement cover these charges or the $25/day Aviator Silver inflight food/drink reimbursement?
Apr 20, 2021, 8:09 am
#68
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Programs: AA
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Apr 20, 2021, 8:24 am
#69
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
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Posts: 7,816
My bet is the fee will show up as a charge from the machine operator or some third-party card processing service.
Apr 20, 2021, 9:38 am
#70
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
I think they are a bit tacky, but as long as they don't adversely affect the food included with admission/membership (i.e. they stay geared toward food you can take onto the plane), I'm comfortable ignoring them.
I do wonder how much they charge though -- probably prices comparable to Hudson News, so $3 for a 20 oz diet coke.
I do wonder how much they charge though -- probably prices comparable to Hudson News, so $3 for a 20 oz diet coke.
Apr 20, 2021, 10:35 pm
#71
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 235
I think they are a bit tacky, but as long as they don't adversely affect the food included with admission/membership (i.e. they stay geared toward food you can take onto the plane), I'm comfortable ignoring them.
I do wonder how much they charge though -- probably prices comparable to Hudson News, so $3 for a 20 oz diet coke.
I do wonder how much they charge though -- probably prices comparable to Hudson News, so $3 for a 20 oz diet coke.
I also agree that they're tacky and the optics are horrible, even if the reasons behind the machines are perfectly rational. Then again, when they started serving "premium" food-for-purchase in the lounges, I also thought it was tacky. Maybe people will eventually get used to it and appreciate the convenience of getting their bottled water here and not making an extra stop.
Apr 21, 2021, 6:39 pm
#73
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I agree, and totally get the idea. Before they made the investment in these machines, I'm sure someone at AA had consumer research/insights that many Admiral Club visitors are still buying packaged food or bottled drink on the way to gate. Why not try to grab a share of that revenue?
I also agree that they're tacky and the optics are horrible, even if the reasons behind the machines are perfectly rational. Then again, when they started serving "premium" food-for-purchase in the lounges, I also thought it was tacky. Maybe people will eventually get used to it and appreciate the convenience of getting their bottled water here and not making an extra stop.
I also agree that they're tacky and the optics are horrible, even if the reasons behind the machines are perfectly rational. Then again, when they started serving "premium" food-for-purchase in the lounges, I also thought it was tacky. Maybe people will eventually get used to it and appreciate the convenience of getting their bottled water here and not making an extra stop.
For all the complaining, nobody is obligated to make a purchase. Yet somebody believes that there is a market and they might have actually done some research.
Apr 21, 2021, 6:51 pm
#74
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I see this constantly at clients. In a narrow way, this may make revenue, but it completely ignores the experience and brand being offered.
There's a reason that the Four Seasons doesn't have coin operated vending machines in the lobby.
Apr 21, 2021, 7:42 pm
#75
Original Poster
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Location: New York City + Vail, CO
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