Programs: AA EXP, LH SEN, IHG Platinum, Avis First
Posts: 399
My early Honeymoon with AA soured
well here we go, made my New Year's resolution to start on another FF program, and for route issues decided on AA. After racking up millions of miles with Star Alliance and other carriers, after spending well over 100k on air tickets in 2008, just checked in at LAX on 136 to LHR with a full fare business ticket.
Here it comes:
'Mr. IsleSeat, your baggage is overweight, 59 lbs' it will cost ya 50 Dollars'. You've got to be kidding me! Nowhere in this world EVER did I pay overcharge, folks. And I am not about to toss out my 1000 Dollar suitcase to get two more to accomodate AA. This is true usuary and I consider this swindle.
well here we go, made my Ne Year's resolution to start on another FF program, and for route issues decided on AA. After racking up millions of miles with Star Alliance and other carriers, after spending well over 100k on air tickets in 2008, just checked in at LAX on 136 to LHR with a full fare business ticket.
Here it comes:
'Mr. IsleSeat, your baggage is overweight, 59 lbs' it will cost ya 50 Dollars'. You've got to be kidding me! Nowhere in this world EVER did I pay overcharge, folks. And I am not about to toss out my 1000 Dollar suitcase to get two more to accomodate AA. This is true usuary and I consider this swindle.
Well, if you spent 100k with Star Alliance last year and have flown millions of miles with them, I'm sure they will take you back!
For the record, you are posting on a forum where most of us enjoy flying AA and we do so by choice. Not exactly sure what you are hoping to accomplish with this post, but best of luck on your future travels anyhow.
$1000 suitcase, $5,000+ full J fare, $100,000 in airfare last year - putting it in perspective, an extra $50 doesn't seem worth complaining about especially when it is not a hidden charge but well advertised by AA.
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat (5m+), BA GGL, LH Sen, DL Silver, SPG Plat, Mucci
Posts: 4,394
Quote:
Originally Posted by IsleSeat
well here we go, made my New Year's resolution to start on another FF program, and for route issues decided on AA. After racking up millions of miles with Star Alliance and other carriers, after spending well over 100k on air tickets in 2008, just checked in at LAX on 136 to LHR with a full fare business ticket.
Here it comes:
'Mr. IsleSeat, your baggage is overweight, 59 lbs' it will cost ya 50 Dollars'. You've got to be kidding me! Nowhere in this world EVER did I pay overcharge, folks. And I am not about to toss out my 1000 Dollar suitcase to get two more to accomodate AA. This is true usuary and I consider this swindle.
I find BA and LH much more lenient when flying F or J which is just one of many reasons they get my fairly significant TATL spend. AA used to be very lenient, but about three or four years ago, maybe a bit less, they launched a corporate edict to crack down on exceptions, even for premium passengers and even for elite fliers. I think many of the agents were unhappy, but they no long had any latitude.
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat (5m+), BA GGL, LH Sen, DL Silver, SPG Plat, Mucci
Posts: 4,394
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedro M
$1000 suitcase, $5,000+ full J fare, $100,000 in airfare last year - putting it in perspective, an extra $50 doesn't seem worth complaining about especially when it is not a hidden charge but well advertised by AA.
The psychology is many times people who spend the most don't like to feel like they are being nickel and dimed.
Programs: AA EXP / .6MM, UA 1P, DL GLD, MR PLT, HHonors Diamond, Avist First, Hertz #1 GLD
Posts: 695
Anyone who flies that much knows when a bag is near the limit just by the feel...and ought to have pared down or brought an "overflow" bag just in case.
That said, I'm sure AA is happy to have your business. Sign up for a challenge--once you're an elite, there are no baggage fees for at least the first two bags...problem solved! As much as you spend, you could probably complete the challenge in half a trip.
No need to write off AA and AAdvantage on one sour note...keep flying and good luck!
ah, yeah? Am I supposed to read the fine print on the back of my valet parking ticket also? Come on.....
You have been a member of FT long enough to know that airlines have baggage regulations. The purpose of FT is to enable its members to acquire the information that they need to maximize the pleasure and minimize the pain of air travel. FT is an enormous resource of information. We all spend a fair amount of time here getting that information. If you spend some time here getting the information you need, I'm sure it will make air travel better for you also.
The alternative - well, you have just experienced the alternative.
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Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then they beat you with experience.
Programs: AA EXP, BA Exec Club, LANPASS, Hilton HHonors
Posts: 721
Quote:
Originally Posted by IsleSeat
just checked in at LAX on 136 to LHR with a full fare business ticket.
Here it comes:
'Mr. IsleSeat, your baggage is overweight, 59 lbs' it will cost ya 50 Dollars'. You've got to be kidding me! Nowhere in this world EVER did I pay overcharge, folks. And I am not about to toss out my 1000 Dollar suitcase to get two more to accomodate AA. This is true usuary and I consider this swindle.
Full fare business ticket does not equate to unlimited baggage allowance on any airline. I'm really in two minds as to whether your post is a mischievous one just to get everybody here worked up or whether you are being serious. If it's the latter, check the baggage allowance next time and pack accordingly. No swindle involved.
That said, I'm sure AA is happy to have your business. Sign up for a challenge--once you're an elite, there are no baggage fees for at least the first two bags...problem solved!
Actually, no, problem not solved. Reread the OP. OP was charged for overweight bag, not for having a bag. Even if you're Elite, weight allowances still apply.
Programs: AA EXP / .6MM, UA 1P, DL GLD, MR PLT, HHonors Diamond, Avist First, Hertz #1 GLD
Posts: 695
Quote:
Originally Posted by scubadu
Actually, no, problem not solved. Reread the OP. OP was charged for overweight bag, not for having a bag. Even if you're Elite, weight allowances still apply.
Regards
Elite=at least 2 bags free (so does a high-dollar fare). So, yes, problem solved--note I also said he should have had an extra bag to lighten the one he had.
cheers!
__________________
- Even a broken clock is right twice a day -
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, OW Emerald, QF Bronze, Marriott Silver, Starwood Gold; National Emerald
Posts: 2,358
Quote:
Originally Posted by AAir_head
Anyone who flies that much knows when a bag is near the limit just by the feel...and ought to have pared down or brought an "overflow" bag just in case.
Well said.
For long trips, Not only do I start with well less than the weight limit (filling the space with toilet paper I like, and paper towels for clean up and/or wrapping fragile items coming back), I also take a duffle bag stuffed at the bottom of a suitcase to transfer items to if I need an extra bag.
Steve
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AA Miles 1/30/06 = 61k => 5/24/07 = 1MM => 5/6/09 = 2MM
No Work Miles ooFlyerTalk oooMy Flight Memory
Programs: AA PLT, DL Silver, UA 2P, HHonors Silver VIP, SPG Gold, National Exec. Selection
Posts: 3,380
Anybody here who actually thinks its reasonable for an AA agent regardless of the policy to charge a passenger with one bag for being nine pounds overweight on a full-fare business class ticket , please post what company you work for so that I can call my broker to sell any stock in that company. You clearly have no business sense, especially in the bounds of customer service.
Policies must apply to everyone to prevent abuse. But when your best customer (the one who pays full-fare business class on a 5000+ mile flight) comes to you in minor violation of the policy and in actuality, carrying 41 less pounds then they could have (2 bags at 50 lbs. each), you do not nickle and dime them. PERIOD. This isn't MBA 101. This is common sense that a eight year-old with an average IQ could figure out.
My reaction would have been to say. "Please look at my ticket price. If you still wish to charge me, please cancel and refund my ticket. There are other airlines that fly to London."
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Happy to be an AA PLAT. Didn't realize what I was missing!
=> 5/24/07 = 1MM 
=> 5/6/09 = 2MM 
ooo
