Will UA follow: AA to start serving free beer/wine in Y on International flights
Jan 18, 2012, 9:21 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
They [CO] are definitely trailblazers in charging -- first to charge for booze in Y TATL, first major to charge for IFE in Y (it's $7.99 for DTV), and first to charge for drinks in F (which they've finally stopped).
This will be tough for them, but with DL and AA giving free beer/wine in Y TATL, CO/UA will have to follow.
This will be tough for them, but with DL and AA giving free beer/wine in Y TATL, CO/UA will have to follow.
Jan 18, 2012, 9:21 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
This is all getting interesting. If AA has E+ and a free drink or two and is aligned with OW, then they have my business, no question. Two out of three, I'll hang around for two years to achieve MM then status match.
I wonder which will come first, or will UA start treating its economy elite passengers like human beings?
I wonder which will come first, or will UA start treating its economy elite passengers like human beings?
Jan 19, 2012, 10:32 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Programs: MYOB
Posts: 1,292
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16548444-post39.html
There is whole threads about it but, they charged for the mixer for specialty drinks, such as mojitos, but not for the alcohol. Charging for the mixer was indeed a practice that was not accepted by the paying customers, and the specialty drinks were discontinued (rather than give them away) It had to do with not having a way to account for it for the Flight Attendants (agreeably, which could have been fixed). But, at no time was the alcohol charged for in the front cabin.
Last edited by xzh445; Jan 19, 2012 at 10:50 am
Jan 19, 2012, 10:50 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
They didn't, and the poster knows that. They charged for the mixer, such as mojitos, but not for the alcohol. Charging for the mixer was indeed a practice that was not accepted by the paying customers, and the specialty drinks were discontinued (rather than give them away) It had to do with not having a way to account for it for the Flight Attendants. But, at no time was the alcohol charged for in the front cabin.
Sorry, I should have said CO charged for some drinks in F.
As for the accounting thing, that's their PR line, and while it's good they were able to get some to repeat it, many don't buy it. They could have figured it out if they wanted to. Other airlines were able to comp things in F that they charged for in Y.
Jan 19, 2012, 10:55 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Programs: MYOB
Posts: 1,292
No. You should have said that they charged for the mixers.
Using your line....go re-read my post. Oddly...you and I agree on something. 
Jan 19, 2012, 10:59 am
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Jan 19, 2012, 11:06 am
#22
Join Date: May 2007
Location: variously: PVG, SFO, LHR
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA 1MM Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 1,678
They are definitely trailblazers in charging -- first to charge for booze in Y TATL, first major to charge for IFE in Y (it's $7.99 for DTV), and first to charge for drinks in F (which they've finally stopped).
This will be tough for them, but with DL and AA giving free beer/wine in Y TATL, CO/UA will have to follow.
This will be tough for them, but with DL and AA giving free beer/wine in Y TATL, CO/UA will have to follow.
Both DL and AA give away free drink coupons if you miss an upgrade and UA never matched that.
Jan 19, 2012, 11:09 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
UA's differentiator was always E+, but now that's becoming common. This will definitely turn up the pressure.
Jan 19, 2012, 11:18 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAH, HOU
Programs: UA Silver, AA Plat, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, Former CO Presidential Plat (for a day!)
Posts: 217
Considering that I ended up using all of my drink vouchers on my R/T to Argentina this would be a great change of UA policy.
Jan 19, 2012, 1:39 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
I heard that DL initially did free beer/wine TATL because it was stipulated in NW's codeshare agreement with KL, and when DL bought NW, they owned that.
Jan 21, 2012, 9:04 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Singapore
Programs: AA Gold, IHG & Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,024
OK, so now Delta offers their economy class passengers free beer and wine (and sake) aboard all international flights scheduled for 6 hours or longer plus all intra-Asia flights.
American Airlines (starting February 1) offers their economy class passengers free beer and wine aboard all international flights to Asia, Europe, and most of South America. (AA doesn't have any intra-Asia flights.)
I think this was a very smart move, aimed in part at United's struggles with their trans-Atlantic 757s. Free alcohol adds weight, and United is counting every ounce aboard their 757s this winter. United is at a competitive disadvantage here.
Well played, American.
American Airlines (starting February 1) offers their economy class passengers free beer and wine aboard all international flights to Asia, Europe, and most of South America. (AA doesn't have any intra-Asia flights.)
I think this was a very smart move, aimed in part at United's struggles with their trans-Atlantic 757s. Free alcohol adds weight, and United is counting every ounce aboard their 757s this winter. United is at a competitive disadvantage here.
Well played, American.
Jan 21, 2012, 10:11 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,990
They didn't, and the poster knows that.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16548444-post39.html
There is whole threads about it but, they charged for the mixer for specialty drinks, such as mojitos, but not for the alcohol. Charging for the mixer was indeed a practice that was not accepted by the paying customers, and the specialty drinks were discontinued (rather than give them away) It had to do with not having a way to account for it for the Flight Attendants (agreeably, which could have been fixed). But, at no time was the alcohol charged for in the front cabin.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16548444-post39.html
There is whole threads about it but, they charged for the mixer for specialty drinks, such as mojitos, but not for the alcohol. Charging for the mixer was indeed a practice that was not accepted by the paying customers, and the specialty drinks were discontinued (rather than give them away) It had to do with not having a way to account for it for the Flight Attendants (agreeably, which could have been fixed). But, at no time was the alcohol charged for in the front cabin.
Jan 22, 2012, 3:49 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
) they need to roll out a new E+, which is a class of its own. (Not necessarily a true Premium Economy like WT+ on BA, but more than just extra legroom seats)