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
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)
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
I really can't see anything wrong with the new approach. It is now showing the lowest fare based on standard categories of lowest, lowest with no change fee, fares that give 50% bonus miles plus same day change and standby
Then in another tab details of refundable fares
This seems a pretty logical set of choices to me
Plus it is giving the total r/t cost in its initial display which is something I do not recall aa.com doing in US historically.
I like it
Then in another tab details of refundable fares
This seems a pretty logical set of choices to me
Plus it is giving the total r/t cost in its initial display which is something I do not recall aa.com doing in US historically.
I like it
I have no problems with them various options being included. While I won't use them, I think it's a good monetization scheme. I just prefer being able to price each direction separately and see that.
Also, from the reports here, it seems that some of the sorting options we had before (lowest fare, shortest flight) may not be available or not working. Those need to be there.
The look is nice, the added options fine, but the per-direction pricing is better for me.
Cheers.
#137
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Syracuse, Boston, Athens
Posts: 995
I, too, like many of the new options etc. And visually it looks quite good.
But, as others have mentioned already, taking away the ability to sort by price, departure time, total time, etc. is a very big minus, that negates in my eyes the whole exercise. I do hope they bring the sorting options back.
But, as others have mentioned already, taking away the ability to sort by price, departure time, total time, etc. is a very big minus, that negates in my eyes the whole exercise. I do hope they bring the sorting options back.
#138
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt DM, SPG GLD, Hertz 5*, AMEX PLT, GE
Posts: 340
If youa re referring to TAs or corporate travel offices, only if they start using the "Direct Connect" interface from AA. I believe this is part of AA's plan to get away from the GDSs.
#139
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz PC, AMEX PLT
Posts: 314
Right, but not much benefit for elites (unless you think you're likely to have to reschedule). Maybe businesses will jump on this. I can book refundable if the fare difference is under $100 for business travel. But there are no other benefits for elites. I think if you book a deep discount fare and spend the extra $$$, you should get a regular discount fare bucket. Most flyers won't care about 0.5 vs 1.0 EQP, but elites would. They can call it a 1.0 EQP guarantee (like a 500-mile guarantee).
#140
In memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: La Jolla, CA, USA
Posts: 765
On aa.com I asked for price and schedule for LAX-DCA on Feb 18, returning Feb 19. The "cheapest fare" came up around $1,600 on the nonstop (one-way?). I called aa.com. Just got off the phone with them (after 30 minute hold while the agent was on hold to get me the answer). The "answer " is the system is broken right now, but they're hoping it'll be fixed later today.
If I search by schedule I select the two nonstops (LAX-DCA and DCA-LAX) and the fare came up around $347 round trip.
Before the "new system" came into play I noticed an upgrade fare (one-way) of around $500 that looked pretty interesting, and that's why I'd like to get back in there and see what they're offering.
If I search by schedule I select the two nonstops (LAX-DCA and DCA-LAX) and the fare came up around $347 round trip.
Before the "new system" came into play I noticed an upgrade fare (one-way) of around $500 that looked pretty interesting, and that's why I'd like to get back in there and see what they're offering.
#141
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,975
Don't like it. They have to put the sort back in. For heaven's sake, even that pile of junk delta.com can sort the list of flights.
Otherwise, it is not too objectionable. Basically the same format and info as before, and seems to work properly on my chrome browser. Their method of highlighting upsell opportunities is far less ridiculous than what DL recently rolled out.
I just sent them a complaint email. Others should do the same.
Otherwise, it is not too objectionable. Basically the same format and info as before, and seems to work properly on my chrome browser. Their method of highlighting upsell opportunities is far less ridiculous than what DL recently rolled out.
I just sent them a complaint email. Others should do the same.
Last edited by Stripe; Dec 12, 2012 at 1:58 pm
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
There's really a bunch of changes here.
1. The new bundles and new options to pay for flexibility and/or extra miles. I guess that's good, more choices is better. Did any options get taken away? I suppose if it makes more folks purchase paid F, that's a negative for upgrading, but it's hard to blame AA for increasing revenue that way.
2. The names of the new bundles. Dreadful. Choice? Plus? Essential? Which is best, what do they mean? It's like determining if a "wonderful" hotel room is better or worse than "spectacular", or if "select" is better than "choice" when buying steak. I guess I'll get used to them eventually, but for now it's non-intuitive and confusing.
3. The ease of online booking. F5 HTML issues aside, we've lost some sorting options, and not displaying prices by leg is confusing as well.
1. The new bundles and new options to pay for flexibility and/or extra miles. I guess that's good, more choices is better. Did any options get taken away? I suppose if it makes more folks purchase paid F, that's a negative for upgrading, but it's hard to blame AA for increasing revenue that way.
2. The names of the new bundles. Dreadful. Choice? Plus? Essential? Which is best, what do they mean? It's like determining if a "wonderful" hotel room is better or worse than "spectacular", or if "select" is better than "choice" when buying steak. I guess I'll get used to them eventually, but for now it's non-intuitive and confusing.
3. The ease of online booking. F5 HTML issues aside, we've lost some sorting options, and not displaying prices by leg is confusing as well.
#143
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD, SJD, VNO, sandy places
Programs: AA 1.2MM BIS 'LT' Gld, BA Bronze, AA Plat, now considering SWA.....
Posts: 451
"Hobica says. "The priority boarding line is going to stretch to the terminal door."
This along with CC PAX will make it seem like a TSA line.....
To those who thought they were 'exempt' by status...think again.
Elites are gradually being subverted to being looked upon as vacationers....
so much for your 'loyalty' start burning those accumulated miles !
This along with CC PAX will make it seem like a TSA line.....
To those who thought they were 'exempt' by status...think again.
Elites are gradually being subverted to being looked upon as vacationers....
so much for your 'loyalty' start burning those accumulated miles !
#144
Company Representative - American Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 175
Hi everyone!
We wanted to stop by to let you know that we are monitoring your feedback to the launch of our enhanced booking options. The feedback recorded so far has been very valuable, so please continue to share your thoughts.
We would also like to clear up some of the questions that have been posed in this thread so far.
In regards to the ability to filter and sort flight search results:
We will continue to gather customer feedback and optimize the new shopping experience so that customers can efficiently find the flights and options that best suit their individual needs. Additional enhancements will be introduced in the near future.
In regards to the layout of the website and cross-browser compatibility:
We will continue to optimize the new shopping experience across browsers and operating systems. If you can clear your cache and take another look we are finding that some of the layout issues are resolved.
In regards to the value of no change fee versus refundable fares:
Choice Essential and Choice Plus fares do include a no-change-fee option. If a change is made on an itinerary booked with Choice Essential or Choice Plus the customer will receive a credit for the full amount of the fare to be applied to a new itinerary. If the new itinerary is not booked with another bundled fare, the customer will not continue to receive the no-change-fee option. In other words, when booking a fare with the no-change-fee option the customer is entitled to change their itinerary; and if a change is made, the customer will need to decide if another bundled fare with the no-change-fee option is desired. The refundable fare options remain the same and are noted as ‘refundable’ in the shopping display.
In regards to the change fee benefit for elite customers:
Elite customers must purchase a Choice Essential or a Choice Plus fare to gain access to the no-change-fee option. Unfortunately, no-change-fee is not a new elite benefit.
In regards to the question about outbound and return selections:
If you select a Choice fare on the outbound and then a Choice Essential on the return (or a Choice Essential on the outbound and Choice Plus on return), the upsell does apply to both the departure and return.
In regards to where the new fare options can be booked:
Our new fare choices are an integral part of American’s merchandising strategy. Ultimately, American’s objective is to improve the customer experience by offering valuable products and services bundled together with the base fare. American has published these new fare choices for all distribution channels to access, but the technology used at various GDSs and agencies will determine if and how these products are available for sale. The best way to gain access to these bundled services is to book directly with AA.com or AA Reservations initially.
Please continue to let us know if you have more questions about these changes. Thank you!
We wanted to stop by to let you know that we are monitoring your feedback to the launch of our enhanced booking options. The feedback recorded so far has been very valuable, so please continue to share your thoughts.
We would also like to clear up some of the questions that have been posed in this thread so far.
In regards to the ability to filter and sort flight search results:
We will continue to gather customer feedback and optimize the new shopping experience so that customers can efficiently find the flights and options that best suit their individual needs. Additional enhancements will be introduced in the near future.
In regards to the layout of the website and cross-browser compatibility:
We will continue to optimize the new shopping experience across browsers and operating systems. If you can clear your cache and take another look we are finding that some of the layout issues are resolved.
In regards to the value of no change fee versus refundable fares:
Choice Essential and Choice Plus fares do include a no-change-fee option. If a change is made on an itinerary booked with Choice Essential or Choice Plus the customer will receive a credit for the full amount of the fare to be applied to a new itinerary. If the new itinerary is not booked with another bundled fare, the customer will not continue to receive the no-change-fee option. In other words, when booking a fare with the no-change-fee option the customer is entitled to change their itinerary; and if a change is made, the customer will need to decide if another bundled fare with the no-change-fee option is desired. The refundable fare options remain the same and are noted as ‘refundable’ in the shopping display.
In regards to the change fee benefit for elite customers:
Elite customers must purchase a Choice Essential or a Choice Plus fare to gain access to the no-change-fee option. Unfortunately, no-change-fee is not a new elite benefit.
In regards to the question about outbound and return selections:
If you select a Choice fare on the outbound and then a Choice Essential on the return (or a Choice Essential on the outbound and Choice Plus on return), the upsell does apply to both the departure and return.
In regards to where the new fare options can be booked:
Our new fare choices are an integral part of American’s merchandising strategy. Ultimately, American’s objective is to improve the customer experience by offering valuable products and services bundled together with the base fare. American has published these new fare choices for all distribution channels to access, but the technology used at various GDSs and agencies will determine if and how these products are available for sale. The best way to gain access to these bundled services is to book directly with AA.com or AA Reservations initially.
Please continue to let us know if you have more questions about these changes. Thank you!
#145
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 447
"Hobica says. "The priority boarding line is going to stretch to the terminal door."
This along with CC PAX will make it seem like a TSA line.....
To those who thought they were 'exempt' by status...think again.
Elites are gradually being subverted to being looked upon as vacationers....
so much for your 'loyalty' start burning those accumulated miles !
This along with CC PAX will make it seem like a TSA line.....
To those who thought they were 'exempt' by status...think again.
Elites are gradually being subverted to being looked upon as vacationers....
so much for your 'loyalty' start burning those accumulated miles !
#146
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 447
Sort, sort, sort, sort. Appreciate you addressing it, as it is pretty important to the majority of us, it seems.
The names are hard to differentiate between on the Essential vs. Plus side. Could just be an initial absorption thing, but if I'm struggling, then I feel non-frequent travellers will as well. Why not something like Select, Choice, and Prime? (Half kidding, USDA might get mad.) Choice/Choice Plus/Choice Premium. I think that problem is that "Essential" doesn't necessarily convey a hierarchical level, causing a disconnect in the brain (mine at least).
I guess this question is for others, as well as AA... if I book Choice Essential/Choice Plus in O bucket, get to day before, and want to change flight to morning flight, does just the O bucket need to be available, or am I rebooking at the current O fare basis (which might be more or just simply unavailable to purchase outright due to min purchase restrictions, etc., but O bucket is still there).
Thanks!
The names are hard to differentiate between on the Essential vs. Plus side. Could just be an initial absorption thing, but if I'm struggling, then I feel non-frequent travellers will as well. Why not something like Select, Choice, and Prime? (Half kidding, USDA might get mad.) Choice/Choice Plus/Choice Premium. I think that problem is that "Essential" doesn't necessarily convey a hierarchical level, causing a disconnect in the brain (mine at least).
I guess this question is for others, as well as AA... if I book Choice Essential/Choice Plus in O bucket, get to day before, and want to change flight to morning flight, does just the O bucket need to be available, or am I rebooking at the current O fare basis (which might be more or just simply unavailable to purchase outright due to min purchase restrictions, etc., but O bucket is still there).
Thanks!
#147
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 503
I'm getting some REALLY weird results looking for DFW-EZE departing May 8th, in which First Flexible is $2 LESS than Business Flexible and only $23 more than Instant Upgrade. I don't think they will be selling many business seats with that pricing!
Anyone else seeing this?
Anyone else seeing this?
#148
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 447
I don't know if that's by design (to encourage those clicking around and might be confused on how to continue) or a fault, but I'd lean more toward the latter.
#149
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 447
I'm getting some REALLY weird results looking for DFW-EZE departing May 8th, in which First Flexible is $2 LESS than Business Flexible and only $23 more than Instant Upgrade. I don't think they will be selling many business seats with that pricing!
Anyone else seeing this?
Anyone else seeing this?
#150
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD, SJD, VNO, sandy places
Programs: AA 1.2MM BIS 'LT' Gld, BA Bronze, AA Plat, now considering SWA.....
Posts: 451
"priority boarding..aren't part of the choice plans"....
"Choice Essential
This fare type costs an extra $68 round trip and allows customers to make changes to their itineraries without the customary change fees (fare differences still apply, however). Choice Essential fares also permit 1 free checked bag (or a third checked bag for elite frequent-flier members) and Group 1 Boarding.
Choice Plus
Costs an additional $88 round-trip. Perks include: No change fee, one checked bag (or third checked bag for elite frequent-flier members), Group 1 Boarding, 50% AAdvantage mileage bonus, free same-day flight changes, same-day standby option, and a premium beverage, such as an alcoholic beverage onboard."
I guess it depends on what one may call 'priority'.....