Dangers of ordering a special meal
Jun 11, 1999, 1:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: New York, NY, AA 4MM PLT, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Platinum, IHG Platinum, CC Gold
Posts: 1,098
Dangers of ordering a special meal
On May 31, 1999 I was booked on AA from FRA to JFK and was told at the Admiral’s Club that I would be upgraded at the gate.
When I arrived at the gate, I was just about to be given a business class boarding pass by the Special Services Agent when she was radioed that I had ordered a special meal (as I always do when travelling coach). She said that I would not be given the upgrade as I had to be in coach to get the special meal. I said that I would be more than happy to eat the special meal in business class. She was adamant that I must stay in coach where my meal was. I have been upgraded many times where I’ve ordered a special meal. Several times I’ve been served the coach meal, but usually get a business class meal choice.
What was amazing is that some of the passengers she upgraded were dressed quite sloppily in jeans and t-shirts. I was dressed neatly in khakis and a nice button down shirt as I always do when flying.
To add insult to injury 3 people were called forward after we had boarded and were moved up to business class. We took off with empty seats in both business class and coach.
As a loyal AAdvantage customer for over 15 years (the last 6 Platinum), I do not think that I should have been treated so poorly by a Special Services Agent.
Has anyone else ever run into this kind of situation?
When I arrived at the gate, I was just about to be given a business class boarding pass by the Special Services Agent when she was radioed that I had ordered a special meal (as I always do when travelling coach). She said that I would not be given the upgrade as I had to be in coach to get the special meal. I said that I would be more than happy to eat the special meal in business class. She was adamant that I must stay in coach where my meal was. I have been upgraded many times where I’ve ordered a special meal. Several times I’ve been served the coach meal, but usually get a business class meal choice.
What was amazing is that some of the passengers she upgraded were dressed quite sloppily in jeans and t-shirts. I was dressed neatly in khakis and a nice button down shirt as I always do when flying.
To add insult to injury 3 people were called forward after we had boarded and were moved up to business class. We took off with empty seats in both business class and coach.
As a loyal AAdvantage customer for over 15 years (the last 6 Platinum), I do not think that I should have been treated so poorly by a Special Services Agent.
Has anyone else ever run into this kind of situation?
Jun 11, 1999, 2:29 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: America Central
Programs: CO Gold, AA Gold, HH Diamond, IC Plat Ambassador
Posts: 936
Never experienced it but I believe the practice of NOT ordering a special meal is one of Rudi's guerrilla tips...
You certainly deserved better treatment!
You certainly deserved better treatment!
Jun 13, 1999, 8:16 am
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,041
Rudi posted 11-14-98 07:38 AM
[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 06-13-1999).]
I you have a paid or already confirmed upgraded first-class seat,may be (if seated in the back) your best option is to preorder (24 hours in advance) a special meal.
I you don't have to, don't preorder the special meal as long as you (your upgrade) is only waitlisted - this may (and for last minute-upgrades at check-in or the gate definetly will) reduce your upgrade-chances (the computer will sort you out if he can't provide your special meal anymore).
I you don't have to, don't preorder the special meal as long as you (your upgrade) is only waitlisted - this may (and for last minute-upgrades at check-in or the gate definetly will) reduce your upgrade-chances (the computer will sort you out if he can't provide your special meal anymore).
Jun 14, 1999, 2:51 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Stopped ordering special meals shortly after I began, since I was twice compelled to eat it, while others in First enjoyed their food while I watched! Never would I expect to have happen to me, however, what they did to you! It's kind of ridiculous to alienate a good patron for such a silly reason!
Jun 14, 1999, 5:34 pm
#5
Original Member
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Location: OMNI Award Winner, Recipient: Ol' Goal Personal Sootkase Tag Award. The Very Special Punki Authentic PiP Sootkase Tag, Pin, & T-Shirt. .........PRE-
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Jun 14, 1999, 9:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 675
Perhaps arturo's right. They could FedEx to you that business class meal you missed.
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aloha!
www.hotshirts.com
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aloha!
www.hotshirts.com
Jun 14, 1999, 9:16 pm
#7
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Actually wanderlust good buddy... what SHOULD happen is American giving you AA Platnium some kind of compensation.
Frankly and I said it before... why does it have to be an issue of skipping a special meal to get an upgrade. This is very stupid.
It's a simple thing of carryhing the meal from the back of the plane to the front and putting it on nice silverware and plates.
What's the big deal here!
AA: I think you should call AMERICAN customer service and get some type of restitution.
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MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!!
Frankly and I said it before... why does it have to be an issue of skipping a special meal to get an upgrade. This is very stupid.
It's a simple thing of carryhing the meal from the back of the plane to the front and putting it on nice silverware and plates.
What's the big deal here!
AA: I think you should call AMERICAN customer service and get some type of restitution.
------------------
MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!!
Jun 17, 1999, 2:55 am
#10
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,215
Really sorry to hear that. Usually what you shoudl do is write to the airline and complain. However, recent years I have founf that writing to airline to complain is useless and all they do is send you a form letter.
This is only a suggestion, don't know whether it will work, check whether the upgrade folders actually said "no upgrade when ordering a special meals" which I doubt and also if you said that there are empty seats in business class then you should have been upgraded especially if you are a Platinum. Upgrade folders stated that upgrade are based on seat availability and if there are seats, you should be upgraded. Can we call this "misleading information..." ? (Tell them you'll sue them!! *Just kidding*
)
Regards,
Empress
This is only a suggestion, don't know whether it will work, check whether the upgrade folders actually said "no upgrade when ordering a special meals" which I doubt and also if you said that there are empty seats in business class then you should have been upgraded especially if you are a Platinum. Upgrade folders stated that upgrade are based on seat availability and if there are seats, you should be upgraded. Can we call this "misleading information..." ? (Tell them you'll sue them!! *Just kidding*
)Regards,
Empress
Jun 22, 1999, 4:27 pm
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Ormond Beach, FL USA
Programs: Delta Flying Colonel, Lifetime Silver Medallion, Million Miler
Posts: 621
Wow, what a tale! Special meals should have no place in upgrade equation. I have ordered in past for waitlisted flights, but maybe no more. Complain like hell for this inferior treatment of a superior customer. Names help too.