The End of Free Drinks?
Feb 16, 2018, 4:15 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SLC
Programs: DL PM, Hilton/Marriott Gold
Posts: 971
They made a quick pa announcement on my flight today after everyone boarded emphasizing that they accept credit cards or drink coupons. So this time it was clear there would be no complimentary drinks. However, after all that remained were middle seats, a woman and her young son boarded and needed to sit together. The flight attendant then announced that if anyone with an empty middle next to them would move to a middle in a different row so that these two would be able to sit together, they would get free drinks for the flight. Someone jumped at the offer. So one person received free drinks. Everyone else mostly used coupons with a few people paying by credit card.
Overheard from the flight attendant after I saw him attempting unsuccessfully to swipe someone's Visa card several times on the tablet ordering device before it finally worked: "I hate this thing."
Overheard from the flight attendant after I saw him attempting unsuccessfully to swipe someone's Visa card several times on the tablet ordering device before it finally worked: "I hate this thing."
Feb 16, 2018, 4:30 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,924
Hate this new "take orders first, payment much later" thing. Twice now, I've ordered a drink, FA asks if I want to pay with a coupon or cc, I give her a coupon. Drink comes, drink gone, and then later she comes by asking for payment...and then we have the uncomfortable discussion if I've already given her a coupon or not, what was the conversation at the time to remind her.
"Hey, look in your apron pocket, there's a drink coupon with my name on it !!!"
"Hey, look in your apron pocket, there's a drink coupon with my name on it !!!"
Feb 18, 2018, 6:53 pm
#49
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Rapid Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles
Posts: 2,931
Looks like Southwest is set to increase the price of drinks on March 1 because they are close to bankruptcy:
https://thepointsguy.com/2018/02/sou...lcohol-prices/
Basically either use drink coupons or bring your own mini bottles through TSA and on-board.
https://thepointsguy.com/2018/02/sou...lcohol-prices/
Basically either use drink coupons or bring your own mini bottles through TSA and on-board.
Feb 18, 2018, 7:01 pm
#50
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,966
Feb 18, 2018, 7:07 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,966
Feb 28, 2018, 9:16 am
#54
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: AUS
Programs: DL Flying Colonel
Posts: 4,023
Was on a very short flight the other day. Pax next to me ordered mixed drink and offered to pay. FA told him that she wanted to get the service completed and would come back to him for payment. She returned at the last minute to collect, and we were on the ground in a few minutes. I guess with the new tablets, no forgetting someone owes money.
Feb 28, 2018, 3:32 pm
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
I was on a short flight a couple of weeks ago and and the FAs seemed to be nearly panicked to get the drink service out before the flight was over. They never did collect for drinks. I was on the same route in the other direction last week. The flight was delayed for an unspecified reason. Gate was changed at the last minute and boarding delayed ( possibly for the crew to arrive) and cabin service went as usual. I half expected them not to collect for drinks because of the delay but they came back and collected.
Last edited by rsteinmetz70112; Mar 1, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Feb 28, 2018, 4:52 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
The website and online Inflight Menu haven't been updated yet, but USA Today has an article about the drink price increase that begins tomorrow.
Highlights:
Looks like they've cut back on the free drink holidays over the past year or so.
Highlights:
Beer: $6 for Miller Lite or Dos Equis, $7 for premium beer including Fat Tire, Lagunitas and Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy.
Wine: $6.
Liquor: $7.
The price increase won't affect passengers who use Southwest's coveted drink coupons.
Southwest also offers passengers one free drink on a handful of "holidays'' throughout the year. The remaining days this year: St. Patrick’s Day, Southwest Airlines’ birthday (June 18) and Halloween.
Wine: $6.
Liquor: $7.
The price increase won't affect passengers who use Southwest's coveted drink coupons.
Southwest also offers passengers one free drink on a handful of "holidays'' throughout the year. The remaining days this year: St. Patrick’s Day, Southwest Airlines’ birthday (June 18) and Halloween.
Mar 7, 2018, 6:17 pm
#60
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
FYI: The Inflight Menu is always available as a pdf download here. (Note that it's sometimes isn't updated immediately.)