Since travel has been greatly reduced in the past year, it’s obvious what we all miss most – American Airlines wine. 😉 Well, the Fort Worth-based airline heard that feedback with the launch of Flagship Cellars, a wine experience at home.
American Airlines flagship wines
We have seen airlines undertake all kinds of initiatives to raise money, as the demand for travel has been reduced. In this regard, American Airlines launched Flagship Cellars Wines, in partnership with online wine retailer Vinesse.
With Flagship Cellars, American Airlines is offering to deliver to your door the same wine that would otherwise be served on board. Here’s how it works:
- American will handpick wines from its Flagship collection, chosen by a master sommelier exclusively for American
- Anyone aged 21 or over can select their wine preferences at vinesse.com/flagshipcellars
- Customers can choose from mixed wine collections, build their own personalized 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; Introductory offer includes a complimentary bottle of extra wine
American Airlines Flagship Cellars Selection
In a press release, it is stated that “American has built a reputation for its careful selection of award winning wines that represent unique regions and flavors from around the world.” Right, That is so American has developed a reputation …
The economics of this are not entirely clear to me:
- Is American Airlines really trying to sell its wine stock, and is it working with Vinesse to do that?
- Or is the American essentially just selling the existing Vinesse wine and receiving a commission for it?
Earn two AAdvantage miles per dollar spent
As an added bonus for purchasing wine from the airline, you can earn two American AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on each order in this wine collection. To take advantage of this, please provide your AAdvantage number during checkout. You do not earn bonus miles on taxes, shipping and fees.
American Airlines Flagship Cellars Selection
What type of wine is available for purchase?
There are several ways to purchase wine through this offer:
- You can purchase a Flagship Cellars collection, which includes three to 12 bottles, whose cost ranges from $ 49.99 to $ 399.99; you can buy all the same type of wine (all red, all white, all champagne etc.) or a mixture
- You can buy bottles of the specific wines you want, ranging in price 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 Cellars Selection
Are American Airlines’ flagship cellar prices really good? In each case, it is suggested that the savings are significant, although I am not sure that this is actually the case. Let me compare the price of some wines chosen at random with that of K&L (which is 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 is also charging $ 34.99
- The 2015 “Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills, Oregon Pinot Noir” sells for $ 38.99 and the normal price is suggested to be $ 45, but K&L is charging $ 39.99
In some cases, the price here may represent a modest discount, but that doesn’t really seem like the price you would expect if a company was trying to liquidate the stock, which makes me think that this might not be an American wine inventory. Airlines.
I should also mention that while American Airlines is selling Krug champagne at Admirals Clubs (due to the closure of Flagship First Dining), this is unfortunately not available for online purchases. The price of Krug is really good, although the problem is that you have to consume it at Admirals Club.
Result
American Airlines is now selling wine directly to consumers in partnership with Vinesse. It is not entirely clear whether this is just a marketing partnership, or whether American is really liquidating its wine inventory this way, given how much flight times have been cut.
There is something hilarious about people who buy wine from airlines to taste at home. It is one thing if the price here was incredible, but based on some comparisons, this does not seem to be the case.
Does anyone plan to make a purchase through American Airlines’ Flagship Cellars program? Is there something I am missing that represents a lot?