Like many travelers, I accumulate a lot of airline frequent flyer miles. My main airline of choice is American Airlines, and I try to accumulate the most miles there. I recently used AAdvantage miles for some cross-country flights and flew first class for several segments. Although the convenience of boarding first and having a nice big seat was nice, the overall experience left a lot to be desired, compared with some of the international first-class flights I’ve taken on Cathay Pacific and Air France.
I recently had to book flights from my home in Los Angeles to Miami to take a cruise that left from the port there. It was for the first week of May, not necessarily a holiday period, but according to the airlines, still within their summer travel season. My goal was to spend the least amount of miles for the trip, which can be done for 25,000 miles round-trip using American’s MileSAAver awards, which are available for 12,500 miles for each cross-country flight.
While I was able to get the 12,500-mile flight for my outbound, my return flight, on the same day the cruise returned, was not available at that low mileage level. I had two options: spend 25,000 miles for their AAnytime award ticket for a direct flight in coach, or spend the same miles, 25,000, for a first-class ticket, but for flights with a connection. To experience the first-class service, I chose that option.
The premium service actually started in Los Angeles on my outbound flight, even though I was flying coach. After checking in with the machine in the airport lobby, my boarding pass had the words PRIORITY ACCESS prominently written on it. This was very handy, as it allowed me to first take a separate escalator to the security checkpoint; then, it allowed me to bypass the security line completely. On my return flight from Miami, when I was traveling in first class, checking in at the first class counter took only minutes, and I was also able to bypass the security screening line.
Fast Boarding
With the cattle-car scene found in most cases when boarding a plane, it was very nice to be the first person to walk on board. I had all the bin space I needed, even though it was a full flight and the flight attendants made many passengers check their carry-ons due to lack of space. It was also nice to be the first off the plane, as well.
Plane Model and Age Makes a Difference
For the Miami-Dallas leg, we flew on a newer 737 plane with cool features like a regular power outlet at each seat. I was able to plug my charger in and charge my phone as we flew. I also watched a movie on my phone, something that would have quickly drained the battery under normal circumstances. The seats were big and comfortable, but did not recline flat for sleeping. Also, no footrests.
Food
One thing I was looking forward to was a nice, hearty dinner of some steak or chicken. On the flight from Dallas to Los Angeles, I watched as they served the other first-class passengers and waited for my meal. I was in seat 1F — first row, window on the right. The attendant brought the tray and said I would enjoy this pasta dish. I asked for the chicken and was told it was gone. She told me they don’t pack enough meals for everyone, so some first-class passengers don’t get their selection of choice. The deciding factor? The flight number. For AA flights ending in an odd number, they serve back to front in first class. On even-numbered flight, they go front to back. I was on flight 2495 and out of luck, which was also disappointing.
To me, this is unacceptable. With all the online options and up-sells American has on their site and in their ticketing process, they can certainly note the meal preference of premium-class passengers to ensure they receive their desired selection.
No Admiral’s Club or Lounge Access
Considering American sells one-day Admiral’s Club passes to the general public for $50, it seems like they should allow domestic first-class passengers in, too. But they don’t. No lounge access at all, even for first-class passengers — that’s only for passengers flying internationally in American’s first-class cabin. This is also unacceptable to me, especially give the value of the first-class ticket, whether in dollars or AAdvantage miles.
More From This Contributor:
Muir Woods and Marin Headlands: Great Day Trips From San Francisco
Beacon Hotel South Beach – Great Service Starts With the Details
San Francisco at Night – 3 Family Adventures
