I've found myself intentionally scheduling flights for times that look better for upgrading when possible. But sometimes you just can't help it and get stuck on a Friday afternoon IAH-DFW flight.
On AA.com it says the first bag is free and the second is $25 (usual GOLD, PLT, EXP and full Y exclusions apply). Anyone know which it is, $15 for the first or $25 for the second?
"Additional Revenue Initiatives
Beyond the company's ongoing cost-containment efforts, Arpey noted that AMR has consistently sought revenue improvements through fare increases and fuel surcharges. Since AMR released its first quarter 2008 financial results on April 16, American has participated in or led 15 fare increases, 14 of which were at least partially successful.
Today, American introduced a $15 fee for the first checked bag, given the increasing costs of transporting checked baggage. This fee, which is effective for tickets purchased on or after June 15, does not apply to: American's AAdvantage program members who have achieved AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Executive Platinum level; those who have purchased full-fare tickets in the Economy, Business and First Class cabins; and those with international itineraries (except to and from Canada and U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)."
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skylady
Don't be too surprised if the bag sizers get used more often.
The gate agent on the Monday ~7am ORD-EWR flight was threatening this via overhead announcements; don't know if she went through with it as I was departing out of a neighboring gate. She also was saying that if bags were expanded (optional zipper action), those would be gate checked as well.
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so any 411 if AA will go though with this? UA notably did not match the fee today when cutting flights/etc. today
I guess we can all see, but I doubt that AA will keep this change once some chaos results and they are the only "major" airline, and certainly the only "full service" one to have this silly policy.
Programs: AA (EXP/1MM), AS (MVP), UA, SPG (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Fairmont PC (Plat)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDiver
$280 for a transcon - very nice! How much was the fuel charge?
I went SFO-HNL on AA for $239.90 (all in) this winter on a Net SAAver. Upgraded both ways. Then two carriers serving Hawaii folded. I won't be seeing that fare again.
__________________ Flights Since 1 Nov 2007 AA comp upg: 26/29 (2 irrop) AS comp upg: 8/11 UA upg: 0/0
Programs: AA (EXP/1MM), AS (MVP), UA, SPG (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Fairmont PC (Plat)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justforfun
Because Starbucks doesn't charge you $5 for your coffee, then $.25 for milk, $.13/sugar packet, $.10 for a straw.
But they do charge extra for another shot and extra for soy if that is your preference, so it is not a perfect analogy.
Honestly, I can't get that upset. It is just going to cost more to fly--probably a lot more in many cases. However, I do feel that one carry-on OR one checked bag should be treated the same. I don't see why someone should be penalized for wanting to bring some sunscreen or some other liquid/gel product, which requires checking their bag. I use way more than 3 ounces of sunscreen on a week-long beach trip, and that stuff gets pricey at the resorts.
__________________ Flights Since 1 Nov 2007 AA comp upg: 26/29 (2 irrop) AS comp upg: 8/11 UA upg: 0/0
Location: Any of the Following SFO/IAH/YUL/HPN/CDG/SYD/WLG/AKL
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Posts: 204
Quote:
Originally Posted by makfan
But they do charge extra for another shot and extra for soy if that is your preference, so it is not a perfect analogy.
Honestly, I can't get that upset. It is just going to cost more to fly--probably a lot more in many cases. However, I do feel that one carry-on OR one checked bag should be treated the same. I don't see why someone should be penalized for wanting to bring some sunscreen or some other liquid/gel product, which requires checking their bag. I use way more than 3 ounces of sunscreen on a week-long beach trip, and that stuff gets pricey at the resorts.
But the important difference is that "officially" a carry-on bag weighs less than a checked bag. The official weight used by the airline in load planning is different based on the type of bag, and as such the more checked bags on the plane increases the amount of fuel and reserve that the airline has to carry.
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A Kiwi can Fly.......In a Plane........but not as a fruit in Cargo damnit
I don't know whether it's due to sloppy reporting or AA's PR machine, but to say that one in four will be affected by the new baggage fee is quite a stretch unless you caveat it by saying "over the short-term."
If AA actually believes this is the long-term effect, wouldn't a $4 ($15/4) increase to base fares have been a better way to handle the situation?
I don't know whether it's due to sloppy reporting or AA's PR machine, but to say that one in four will be affected by the new baggage fee is quite a stretch unless you caveat it by saying "over the short-term."
If AA actually believes this is the long-term effect, wouldn't a $4 ($15/4) increase to base fares have been a better way to handle the situation?
If I'm reading correctly (and these days I seem to be batting around .158), I think what AA is saying is that 75% of this summer's travelers have already bought their tickets, so there will be little effect in the next three months. I agree with you that it would be disingenuous to predict that only a quarter of passengers will be affected over the long haul. While I would wager upwards of 95% of us on these boards will skate through, I think a solid majority of AA passengers are non-FF, domestic flyers. What I'm most interested in are these "measures" they're taking to prevent chaos at the boarding areas.
