A couple of years ago, when AA gave all CKs a couple of FFD passes to use on non-intl F itineraries, I used one of mine at MIA. I had a similar experience that was just so shockingly bad I wrote to Customer Relations about it (a rare step for me to take), and they actually apologized and replaced my FFD pass with a new one that had a much later expiration date. The next time was much better, and I'd say my FFD experiences have typically ranged from mediocre to quite good, but that MIA experience definitely stood out.

I have to agree that AA's treatment of its premium passengers has gone way downhill, in the recent experiences I've had. However, I've found that DL is not anywhere close to being on par with the DL we knew pre-COVID. Part of me can't believe I'm typing this, but I really think UA is doing the most right now to try to distinguish themselves as a premium airline (they also seem to be best at monetizing the F cabin with TOD upgrades).

I was there last night and most of the problems seemed to be other passengers who wanted to complain about anything they could find.
The member of staff who looked after me was attentive and informative.
The food (I avoided the steak) was tasty and hot.
Not as great as pre-COVID but prevented me from having to eat on the plane.

It's airline food in an airline lounge. I would base my expectations accordingly, particularly the state of the airline industry today.

Flagship Dining Miami
 

I usually fly through New York where the First Flagship dining is good and reliable. Tonight I am flying through Miami and was hoping to eat before boarding the late 23.45 flight to London. The advertised time for the dining lounge says it closes at 10.30pm and I have arrived on a connection in good time. Both the team at the gate level and at level 3 have issued me with an invitation and then shown me to the lounge, only to be told on entering the dining lounge that last orders are at 9.45pm, so ‘go away’. A bit strange when they have a flight at 11.45pm and that the lounge staff outside the first dining lounge don’t seem to be aware of this. Is this normal?

I haven't personally experienced it, but have found the staff inside to be quite hostile when they do service.

I was in flagship first to SAO plane got delayed/ canceled til the next day. When I went in to flagship dining the next day which was around 3ish it was completely empty said they weren’t expecting anyone til a few hours when more flights came in. They had 18 year Mccallain, which is my favorite scotch. I was in there for roughly 2 hours while my and my friend ate a meal. My friend doesn’t drink. The manager came out and cut me off after 4 drinks. I couldn’t believe it. Out of spite I sat there for another 2 hours and just kept asking for a sprite. The crazy thing out of it all was I gave $100 tip at the beginning before I got my first drink, and still treated that way.

How many drinks did you put back in that two hour span, and what was the manager’s rationale? If you had what they considered too much, probably makes sense.

This happened to me a few years ago when my flight to EZE was delayed several hours in the evening (ended up being pushed to 1 pm the following day). I had arrived about four hours before my original departure due to my inbound connection and probably ended up staying another 3+ when boarding was delayed that night. Upon return from the gate after delay #2, the manager said something to the extent of me overstaying my welcome throughout the day by ordering multiple meals (I had a friend as well for part of it) and wouldn’t serve any additional F&B (including water). I said ok, I’m not still here because I want to be here and would much rather be en-route to my destination! I hadn’t had much to drink so I think they were just done with customers. Not very premium as Scott Kirby would say :D

you're kidding - member in my traveling party ordered 3 filets from DFW FF not too long ago, staff was delighted to serve them

I had 4 drinks with one ice cube over the course of 2 hours with a full meal. I believe since it was a $400 of liquor they didn’t like I had 4 glasses. I’m 300 pounds 6ft 3 so I didn’t even feel a buzz. They no longer carry 18 year anymore

I believe DFW is run by a different company

Yes, vibes were definitely different from the management level folks when comparing DFW vs. MIA (I’d even throw the manager at Chelsea into that mix as he seems to constantly be focused on a positive guest experience).

That consumption seems reasonable enough. And how many glasses of LPGS :cool:

I'm unsure about JFK because of how peculiar it is, but I've definitely had poor experiences there lately (just lack of attention). I know MIA is Aramark (along with east coast) and DFW is Compass. Compass won most of the lounges in December, hopefully they can get the rest.

I have found this thread very interesting indeed! I was at MIA FFD just over a week ago and for the first time in my life I was told that I wouldn’t be served any more drinks. This happened immediately after I had requested a shot of the 18 year old Macallan (which I was served btw!). I was there with my wife and indeed we had drunk a fair few cocktails and some champagne although as we are both British and have both been to medical school in the UK we have a high tolerance :D and were, in my opinion, nowhere near our limit. (I’ll admit I may not be the perfect judge here!! ;)) We were on the late BA flight and I suppose they had a point at least on a numerical basis so we did as asked and sat and chatted and had soft drinks until we left. Our server was friendly and attentive enough, I am sure that the intervention was prompted by the barman who I found somewhat less agreeable.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0f141d453.jpeg

Perhaps when the new BA lounge opens and there is a separate CCDR us poor forlorn drunkard Brits will be able to find our spiritual home!

In general service in Miami at restaurants and other establishments is terrible, I’m not surprised it extends to the flagship lounge and dining room.

I have spent a lot of time in Miami over many years -- Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, South Beach, Brickell. the Design District, Downtown, Midtown, Wynwood -- and never have had any experience that would lead me to conclude that the service is any worse than anywhere else. I'm sure I haven't had all A+ experiences, but in general my experiences have been quite favorable.