I’ve written before on the perk for top tier elites on US Airways and American Airlines where they receive free snacks and drinks when flying in the main cabin. No one can argue with free food. 🙂
As a reminder, here’s the policy: AAdvantage® Executive Platinum and ConciergeKeySM members can enjoy a complimentary* beverage from our standard alcoholic selections as well as one of our snacks, where available, when flying in the Main Cabin on board American Airlines, American Eagle®, US Airways, and US Airways Express. The snack on American includes any food item on our menu. The snack on US Airways includes any item from our à la carte menu.
I recently had flight from Washington DC (Reagan) to Tampa, Florida, and once airborne, the flight attendants came around with the usual beverage service, along with a selection of buy-on-board snacks, which, for me, per the above policy, would be free. I asked for a white wine bottle and also some Chex Mix. I showed the flight attendant my boarding pass, and because it was a US Airways printed pass, and I was an American Executive Platinum, she had to confirm with her printed manifest my status. No big deal, and I figured this would happen because of the ongoing merger process. She returned with her roster, and as she was looking it over, was asked by a nearby passenger why I was receiving a free snack and drink. She replied that “all Platinums” receive a free food and drink item, to which she then promptly returned with my requested items. Now overhearing the conversation she was having with the nearby passenger, further Platinum passengers began identifying themselves asking for drinks and food. She again confirmed that all “Platinums” and “oneworld Sapphire and Emerald” receive the perk, and began dolling out the newly requested freebies. Unfortunately, it appears as if this flight attendant didn’t read the policy carefully enough as it only applies to US Airways Chairman’s Preferred and American Executive Platinum. Still, it looks like a bunch of passengers on this flight got a free alcoholic drink and snack item because of me on this flight. 🙂
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
Jamie. As we merge policies I need to give you some feed back. Please keep in mind that the US side is having to absorb a great many changes. Nearly 81% of AAs policies and procedures are getting shoved down our throats at an astounding rate. Please be patient. There are and will be glitches. But, to boast that you were able to do what you did on this particular flight is mind blowing. Just cut us some slack, okay?
Aaron
DCA FA US
I wouldn’t say it’s something I “did” per say. It’s because I was asking for something that was a policy, that prompted the mis-information from the FA. I certainly didn’t promote it or question it beyond the request for myself, per the status perk. I just found it funny that the policy was overdone, but I certainly didn’t contribute to that beyond asking for what was due for me anyways. Just wanted to clarify. 😉