Programs: UA Premier, NW Silver, Official Gopher Hater
Posts: 159
I probably fly 2-4 round trips on AA per year, but on most of those I am forced to check a bag as I will be on the road for a longer time (and I find it much less stressful than finding room for my carry-on on a full a/c). When I do fly AA its simply because of scheduling issues (for example, needing to be New York by 12PM from Dallas). If this $15 per bag measure ends up becoming a reality, and is not matched by other carriers, I doubt I will fly AA again unless I am truly in a bind. I'll just try my best to avoid AA at all costs. This nickel-and-dime stuff really never affected me much until now, other than the crap-in-a-box BOB service which is on pretty much every legacy aside from CO. Enough with the Ryanair rubbish!
coupled with United's recent announcement about canceling the 500 mile minimum, it's like they are setting out to aggravate people as much as possible and discourage travel. Just cancel the routes if you can't run your business effectively. So out of touch with customers. I missed an entire conference due to the MD-80 groundings (perhaps not totally fault) and didn't even get a "sorry" when I called in to get credited.
As pathetic as all this is, I'm with people who say just fold it into ticket prices and shut up, instead of adding a fee for everything including the air we breathe. Carrying clothes with you isn't some luxury on travel. It would be one thing if the fare structure reflected their lowest cost possible and then they charged for add-ons, but they are still trying to get fat off business travelers not sensitive to price. Saw a $600 diff LAX-ORD between a Tuesday night to a Weds morning recently with advance notice. Sounds like the usual sound business model.
What AA is really doing with this fee is a de facto increase on leisure fares. The majority of business-flying elites don't check bags at all, and the majority of leisure travelers book in advance to get the cheapest fares. I see this as a hidden fare increase more than a fee. It won't affect elite business travelers that check bags, even when they have a leisure flight. Unless the other carriers fail to follow this, it is probably a good idea. Of course, AA may be wiping egg off of its face in a few days...
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I'm surprised no one has brought up Air Canada's approach:
When booking online, if you specify that you will not check bags, you get ~$6 off your fare.
Checking a bag remains "free", or already included in the base fare
If you say you're not checking a bag, and decide to, you have to pay ~$29 or something.
(You also have the option to pre-pay at a discounted price for inflight food, day-passes to the Lounge, etc.)
Pretty cool to think that if they can get this approach down to enough of a science, it could even help predict how many ticket agents and baggage handlers they'd need on a given day in a given terminal.
If fares increased $30 roundtrip for everyone, how is that more beneficial to you all as a group than if AA charged $30 roundtrip for a first checked bag, to only those who check bags, and those who are non-elite?
Under the fare increase model, wouldn't you, as mostly elites and who may not always check bags for business travel (I understand you also travel for pleasure), be just paying $30 more every single time? Wouldn't that be less desirable than having AA charge $30 for only those who check a bag and are non-elite?
Playing devil's advocate here for a second.
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The thing I miss about Air Force One is they don't lose my luggage. - President George Bush Sr.
I'm surprised no one has brought up Air Canada's approach:
When booking online, if you specify that you will not check bags, you get ~$6 off your fare.
Checking a bag remains "free", or already included in the base fare
If you say you're not checking a bag, and decide to, you have to pay ~$29 or something.
(You also have the option to pre-pay at a discounted price for inflight food, day-passes to the Lounge, etc.)
Pretty cool to think that if they can get this approach down to enough of a science, it could even help predict how many ticket agents and baggage handlers they'd need on a given day in a given terminal.
Not a bad idea I think, not bad at all. It is still a increase, but can be a decrease, AND as you said it gives some solid business figures to go by for how much you need.
And you shall also not fly to Europe again, I suppose.
You can easily get to Europe or anywhere else without having to set foot on a plane these days through purchasing items on credit cards and getting points.
It's the constant nickel and diming that is just outrageous. Amazing how yesterday's news was all about the airlines receiving the lowest marks from consumers and today American announces charging for the first bag.
As far as some of the problems - did AA consider how this will impact on-time departure? So let's see - it's the beginning of the high travel season where many folks only fly 1 or 2 times a year. They now institute this new rule. A family of 4 will now have an additional $60 added to what they've already paid (and btw - the fares are NOT low these days so people saying well people are only going for low fares are sadly mistaken since they do not exist). Then there is no food, drinks, and/or service once you get on board. The entire experience is miserable all the way around.
Then there won't be enough room in the overhead bins for all of the increased baggage which will cause gate agents to have to tag but then the bags won't make it to the destinations which will cause extra lost baggage fiascos and having to compensate folks which will be more than the $15 they're charging. All in all what a stupid, stupid idea.
If fares increased $30 roundtrip for everyone, how is that more beneficial to you all as a group than if AA charged $30 roundtrip for a first checked bag, to only those who check bags, and those who are non-elite?
Under the fare increase model, wouldn't you, as mostly elites and who may not always check bags for business travel (I understand you also travel for pleasure), be just paying $30 more every single time? Wouldn't that be less desirable than having AA charge $30 for only those who check a bag and are non-elite?
Playing devil's advocate here for a second.
I'd prefer just to pay more and not have to worry if the airline is going to be there in 6 months.
Doesn't make me upset in the least to see AA struggle. They are paying for years of mismanaging their routes and not giving a hoot about customers and their concerns. That is the reason why I no longer fly them....ever.
So try and tell ( actually not) why exactly would be so presumptious to believe we actually care about your opinion here on the AA board?
Programs: aa exp/5.8 mm, spg platinum, ual 643,415 air miles and no longer trying
Posts: 915
i am interested to know what percentage of flyers will be affected by this? anybody have a guess after you take out for all the exceptions.
the previous posters who have discussed what this will do at the checkin counters haven't even begun to explore the absolute chaos we will experience this summer at checkin . in stl, i can visualize lines of summer travellers out the doors of the airport as they wait to pay their $15 fees on their bags. do you think aa will add another couple of agent at the counter--maybe go from 3 to 4 or even 5. that should help.
) why exactly would be so presumptious to believe we actually care about your opinion here on the AA board?
