Special requests have been fulfilled graciously, e.g., for some water immediately as I walked onto a plane after running through the terminal for a connecting flight. I hope this is more representative of the treatment of passengers than the horror stories that people this page. Four different times now I have used my miles with no problems whatsoever. My tickets are in the mail, so please do not say ALL airlines hassle on cashing miles. I suggest they simply fly Lufthansa.
Food is good, service and attitude is excellent.
It sounds to me like the flight attendant on her flight was joking. I recently returned from Europe directly from Brussels. And I brought back lots of chocolates to share with friends. I picked up boxes of candy in the city itself, and even at the duty-free shop in the airport. Those purchases were declared when I entered the U.S. and I got into the country with no problems.