Dec 13, 2012, 3:04 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
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AA is now offering three types of Economy fares via AA.com:
• Choice (fare basis code ends in 1) = Lowest Fare, earn AA miles
• Choice Essential (fare basis code ends in 2) = Change Fee (depends on detailed fare rules), 1 Checked Bag, Group 1 Boarding, Earn AA miles
• Choice Plus (fare basis code ends in 7) = above Choice Essential benefits plus 50% Bonus RDM, Same-Day Flight Change, Same-Day Standby, Premium Beverage, No Change Fee, Earns base miles plus 50% bonus miles
• Business/First as Choice Plus, plus 3 checked bags, No change fee (domestic only), priority baggage delivery at carousel, 50% class of service bonus miles
(Updated 1 Mar 2015)
See this page at aa.com for bundled services.
AmericanAirlines has posted some comments and clarifications in Post 144.
See these related links:
AA.com: Tailor Your Travel | Enhance Your Travel with Combined Features
FT: AA economy fare basis now ends with a number
(lower right wiki corner).AA is now offering three types of Economy fares via AA.com:
• Choice (fare basis code ends in 1) = Lowest Fare, earn AA miles
• Choice Essential (fare basis code ends in 2) = Change Fee (depends on detailed fare rules), 1 Checked Bag, Group 1 Boarding, Earn AA miles
• Choice Plus (fare basis code ends in 7) = above Choice Essential benefits plus 50% Bonus RDM, Same-Day Flight Change, Same-Day Standby, Premium Beverage, No Change Fee, Earns base miles plus 50% bonus miles
• Business/First as Choice Plus, plus 3 checked bags, No change fee (domestic only), priority baggage delivery at carousel, 50% class of service bonus miles
(Updated 1 Mar 2015)
See this page at aa.com for bundled services.
AmericanAirlines has posted some comments and clarifications in Post 144.
(1Mar 2015) The fee for the "choice plus" bundled extra now ranges from $80-80 each way, up from $80.
Choice plus extras are comprised of:
Choice plus extras are comprised of:
- 1 checked bag
- Group 1 Boarding
- No change fee (any difference in fares would still apply; valid for American Airlines operated flights)
- Same-day flight change
- Same-day standby
- Premium beverage on board
- Earn 50% more AAdvantage miles
AA.com: Tailor Your Travel | Enhance Your Travel with Combined Features
FT: AA economy fare basis now ends with a number
aa.com Economy / Coach Pricing Display & Choice Bundles (consolidated)
Dec 12, 2012, 9:34 am
#76
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Takes some getting used to. Particularly seeing return options showing up with a $0 fare. By defaulting to the lowest coach fare it does remove some flexibility in booking higher fares, though Business and First fares also default to their lowest fare category (until these sell out).
Dec 12, 2012, 9:34 am
#77
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Dec 12, 2012, 9:35 am
#78
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Yes, but the new fare bundle one step up (which waives change fees) is only $68 more roundtrip, vs a $150 change fee.
What is especially appealing is that apparently you can cancel before departure for flight credit, for the full value of your ticket (including the extra $68 you paid for the bundle).
What is especially appealing is that apparently you can cancel before departure for flight credit, for the full value of your ticket (including the extra $68 you paid for the bundle).
Now why would anyone purchase fully refundable fares over this then?
Oh... cash return instead of just credit. Interesting...
Dec 12, 2012, 9:38 am
#79
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Dec 12, 2012, 9:39 am
#80
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Dec 12, 2012, 9:40 am
#81
Join Date: Sep 2011
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works for my chrome on osx no problem. I had to take a second look at the wording to realize all the new perks aren't included as part of exp
Dec 12, 2012, 9:45 am
#82
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I think the difference is how you get the credit back, as cash or AA credit.
Dec 12, 2012, 9:48 am
#83
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Posts: 340
While I at first feared what this change would bring, I think I can get used to it.
I find some of the additions very interesting. Particularly for "Choice Plus" and the free premium beverage. How are they going to keep track of this? Will it be on the boarding pass?
Also, I find it interesting about the bonus RDM, is that above and beyond the normal elite bonus? So as an EXP if we chose a "Choice Plus" we would get 150% bonus miles?
I find some of the additions very interesting. Particularly for "Choice Plus" and the free premium beverage. How are they going to keep track of this? Will it be on the boarding pass?
Also, I find it interesting about the bonus RDM, is that above and beyond the normal elite bonus? So as an EXP if we chose a "Choice Plus" we would get 150% bonus miles?
Dec 12, 2012, 9:53 am
#85
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As there were two active threads on this topic, I've merged them together. Note that this may cause some posts to be interleaved, so there may be issues if you're reading through the older posts, but having this discussion all in one place will be helpful going forward. As always, if there are any questions please do let me or my colleagues know and we can take a look.
~Moderator
~Moderator
Dec 12, 2012, 9:54 am
#86
Join Date: Mar 2011
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Posts: 787
Weary of the "included" because its a lower bucket, which means they could be swiping cash because system won't show a negative rate.
Sure would like to see a -$150.00 fare on the return booked in Q.
Spock Seat. @:-)
Dec 12, 2012, 9:56 am
#87
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That's why I asked this:
If you pay for the "no change fee" on AA, does that work like WN, where you basically get a credit, good for a year? You can change destinations, and even use the credit on multiple trips, or combine credits towards a single trip?
Or does it just waive the fee if changing dates and times on the same origin/destination?
Or does it just waive the fee if changing dates and times on the same origin/destination?
Dec 12, 2012, 9:59 am
#89
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Essential: For an additional fee of $68 roundtrip, these fares will include 1 checked bag [in addition to what you might already be entitled to], Group 1 priority boarding and no change fees.
[...]Plus: These fares cost [...] $88 above Choice/Regular Fares and have the same three perks as Choice Essential plus a 50% AAdvantage mileage bonus (not Elite Qualifying Miles), waived same-day confirmed flight changes, same day standby and a premium beverage (including alcohol).
[...]Plus: These fares cost [...] $88 above Choice/Regular Fares and have the same three perks as Choice Essential plus a 50% AAdvantage mileage bonus (not Elite Qualifying Miles), waived same-day confirmed flight changes, same day standby and a premium beverage (including alcohol).
For the moment these bundles are available from AA only (no travel agents, including corporate, and unclear if AA.com only or also from AA reservations) at the moment of purchase, not even as an add-on to an existing reservation.
Dec 12, 2012, 10:10 am
#90
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
For regular AA flyers, I would take it to mean it's just like a refund, but for the ones who really want cash, they probably would consider the fully refundable.
But since you have to pay the fee upfront, you need to be someone who changes flights every other flight to make it worth it, because paying $68 twice almost makes up for the $150 (standard change fee cost) that you would have to pay if you wanted to make a change; you know, standard "self-insurance" argument.