As travel has been significantly reduced over the past year, it’s clear we all miss the most – American Airlines’ wine. 😉 Well, the Fort Worth-based airline listened to the feedback with the launch of Flagship Cellars, a home wine experience.
American Airlines flagship cellars wines
We have seen airlines take all sorts of initiatives to raise cash, given the amount of travel demand that has been reduced. In this line, American Airlines launched Flagship Cellars Wines, in partnership with online wine retailer Vinesse.
With Flagship Cellars, American Airlines offers to deliver the same wine to your door that would otherwise be served on board. This is how it works:
- American will select wines from the Flagship wine collection by hand, selected exclusively by Americans by a master sommelier
- Anyone 21 years or older can choose their wine preferences at vinesse.com/flagshipcellars
- Customers can choose from collections of blended wines, set up their own box or purchase a monthly wine subscription, which includes three wines for $ 99.99, including delivery.
- Subscriptions can be for a limited time and can be canceled at any time; an extra complimentary bottle of wine
American Airlines’ Flagship Basement Choice
A press release claims that “American has built a reputation for its thoughtful range of award-winning wines representing unique regions and flavors from around the world.” Right, it is which American has developed a reputation for …
The economics of this are not entirely clear to me:
- Is American Airlines trying to sell its stock of wine, and is it working with Vinesse on it?
- Or does American actually just market existing Vinesse wine and get a commission for it?
Earn Two AAdvantage Miles Per Dollar You Spend
As an added bonus to purchasing wine at the airline, you can earn two U.S. AAdvantage miles per dollar you spend on each order from this wine collection. To take advantage of this, enter your AAdvantage number at check-out. You do not earn bonus miles on taxes, shipping and fees.
American Airlines’ Flagship Basement Choice
What kind of wines are for sale?
There are different ways you can buy wine through this offer:
- You can buy a Flagship Cellars collection, which includes three to twelve bottles, costing between $ 49.99 and $ 399.99; You can choose the same wine (all red, white, champagne, etc.) or a mixture
- You can buy bottles of the specific wines you want, from $ 12.99 to $ 39.99 per bottle
- You can buy a monthly selection of three wines for $ 99.99, including delivery, if you want a surprise
American Airlines’ Flagship Basement Choice
Are the prices by American Airlines Flagship Cellars actually good? In both cases, it is suggested that the savings are significant, although I’m not sure that is actually the case. Let me compare prices for some randomly selected wines with those of K&L (which is otherwise my favorite online wine retailer):
- The ‘NV Deutz Champagne, France’ Classic ‘Brut’ sells for $ 34.99 and it is suggested that the normal price is $ 45, but K&L also charges $ 34.99
- The 2015 “Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills, Oregon Pinot Noir” sells for $ 38.99 and is suggested to be priced at $ 45, but K&L charges $ 39.99
In some cases, the price here may represent a moderate discount, but it really does not look different from the price you would expect if a company were trying to liquidate stock, which makes me think that it may not be American Airlines’ wine supply at all .
I should also mention that American Airlines currently sells Krug champagne in Admirals Clubs (because Flagship First Dining is closed), but that it is unfortunately not available for online purchases. The price of Krug is actually good, but the problem is that you have to consume it in the Admirals club.
Bottom line
American Airlines now sells wine directly to consumers in partnership with Vinesse. It’s not entirely clear whether this is just a marketing partnership and whether American is actually liquidating its wine supply in this way, given how many flight schedules have been reduced.
There is something hilarious about people buying airline wine to enjoy at home. It’s one thing if the prices here were incredible, but based on a few comparisons, that does not seem to be the case.
Anyone planning to make a purchase through the American Flagship Cellars program? Is there something I miss that represents a lot?