Originally Posted by
PHCorkill
I have AAdvantage Gold (One world Ruby) status and needed to book a flight LHR-MIA-LPB – flying economy. The BA flight with an AA code gave me the best connection in Miami, in addition to leaving from T5 and drinks at no extra charge, so I decided to book it - taking advantage of the new miles earning possibilities. I was concerned that I would have the same baggage privileges that I do on an AA flight, that is two checked pieces free of charge on BA metal, because BA has different policies to AA and only allows 1 piece free of charge.
I phoned AA twice before booking to check, and was assured that I would be treated the same as if I was on an AA flight. However, when I got to T5, the computer said no. I was only shown as being entitled to 1 piece free. I even phoned AA from the check in desk –or was it a manned bag drop desk?- (there was no queue behind me) and was once again told that I should be allowed two pieces. The very pleasant woman behind the desk tried phoning her supervisors, but they didn’t budge and said that AA had failed to show me as being entitled to two bags – eg that the error was AA’s.
So, I paid my £40 and checked my ‘extra’ bag.
Has anybody else had this problem, or been able to check two bags without hindrance (what status do you have)? Have you been successfully able to reclaim the surcharge? How did you go about it?
In this case, AA were giving you duff information and BA were correct. Baggage limits and allowances are governed by the
operating airline, not the airline marketing the flight so BA's rules apply to your itinerary. AA Gold = OW Ruby. BA does not have an equivalent tier in their own FF programme so it counts for little. Specifically, it does not entitle you to check 2 bags (this benefit is limited to OW Sapphires and Emeralds as per the baggage page on ba.com
here)
Originally Posted by
PHCorkill
Other issues that I found disappointing on the BA codeshare were not being able to book a seat more than 24hrs in advance (and not even being offered the opportunity to pay for the privilege, as per BA’s normal policy), and the lack of fastrack for security lanes (the subject of another thread, I see).
Again, your AA Gold status doesn't qualify you to pre-select a seat for free before check-in (this is another benefit for Sapphires and Emeralds only). The T5 fastrack is officially advertised as being limited to BA's own elites and those travelling in premium cabins (and is often so slow that it doesn't merit the title "fast" at all but that's not for debate in this thread
)