CP Benefit Alignment ? (drinks/meal when not upgraded)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PHX
Posts: 323
CP Benefit Alignment ? (drinks/meal when not upgraded)
I took my first AA flight a few weeks ago in coach. As a CP in coach, I received 1 food item and a drink of choice on the flight. I have read that other CP's have also received this service. I have a flight next week from PHX-PHL on US Airways where first is sold out. With the recent alignment of first class meal service that became effective September 1st, I was wondering if US Airways also aligned their services with AA when a CP is sitting in coach?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ALB
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Nexus
Posts: 432
I took my first AA flight a few weeks ago in coach. As a CP in coach, I received 1 food item and a drink of choice on the flight. I have read that other CP's have also received this service. I have a flight next week from PHX-PHL on US Airways where first is sold out. With the recent alignment of first class meal service that became effective September 1st, I was wondering if US Airways also aligned their services with AA when a CP is sitting in coach?
#3
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, F9 Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,319
US/AA made the business decision earlier this year to keep the benefit for EXP/CPs in coach. The issue with US is identifying AA EXPs correctly on the US inflight report printout that FAs get when the a/c door is closed. US is working on changing that as we speak, from I've heard.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Southwest US
Programs: AA (US) gold, HH gold, Bonvoy gold
Posts: 332
I just flew 2 AA flights with Mrs. Steves this weekend. We are both Chairman and were not offered anything. Do I need to ask?
#6
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: PHL / SFO
Programs: free agent
Posts: 797
IME, you aren't actively offered, but if you ask for a drink or snack, the FA can see who is EXP/CP on the handheld device. If you appear as a green square rather than a blue square, then you're good to go.
(And sometimes a free refill if you walk down to the back and are super nice to the poor sod sitting next to the engines in those crappy MD-80s)
(And sometimes a free refill if you walk down to the back and are super nice to the poor sod sitting next to the engines in those crappy MD-80s)
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP: : SPG Plat; HH Gold
Posts: 239
I have received excellent service and the benefits on all AA flights. I did have to ask but the FA simply said, "I knew someone was back here but i forgot what actual seat it was" and then proceeded to take great care of me.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 152
The info is available on the handheld computer the FAs carry to charge purchases. They can look up your name and status by seat number. Last week on DCA-LAX both FAs doing drinks/food acknowledged my CP status when I asked for food and drink, and they also knew my name. ^
#9
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
I've flown two AA flights. First time I was offered it and the second time I had to ask.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
Yes sometimes you need to ask sometimes not. Just depends on how closely your FA has read the manifest before hand. But when you do ask you shouldn't have any problems. I've never really faulted them given they have so many pax in Y. Never had an issue when i've have politely pointed out I'm an EXP. But that's mostly been on RJs. Just don't cop an attitude about it and you should be fine. They don't question it since other folks don't tend to even know about it.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
The info is available on the handheld computer the FAs carry to charge purchases. They can look up your name and status by seat number. Last week on DCA-LAX both FAs doing drinks/food acknowledged my CP status when I asked for food and drink, and they also knew my name. ^
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PHX
Posts: 323
This information posted on the AA/US Reciprocal Elite Benefit thread:
"Chairman Snack Benefit
So on my flight this weekend I was in first and the FA started talking to me about AA and the elite benefits. I commented that I liked the hot nuts being added to the beginning to service, which led to all types of benefits conversation. The NEWS portion of this post is that she said beginning Oct 1 Chairman will received the same free drink and snack benefit Exec Platinums get today. She said she got a FA update a couple weeks ago that its rolling out to both sides for both top tiers. One more benefit sync done hopefully."
I'm on a flight on 10/01/14 sitting in coach, so I'll bring this up with the crew and see what happens.
"Chairman Snack Benefit
So on my flight this weekend I was in first and the FA started talking to me about AA and the elite benefits. I commented that I liked the hot nuts being added to the beginning to service, which led to all types of benefits conversation. The NEWS portion of this post is that she said beginning Oct 1 Chairman will received the same free drink and snack benefit Exec Platinums get today. She said she got a FA update a couple weeks ago that its rolling out to both sides for both top tiers. One more benefit sync done hopefully."
I'm on a flight on 10/01/14 sitting in coach, so I'll bring this up with the crew and see what happens.
#13
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
I thought that benefit has already been happening, you just had to ask for it?
#14
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786