I don't think so. I believe the comparison sites will still use the lowest, least benefits fare. I think Kayak is also a Direct Connect customer so that they can distinguish pricing options. They key would be for agents like Kayak and Priceline/Lowestfare (which do a whole lot of retail volume on behalf of the carriers) is to be able to sell these add-ons as easily. Premium seats appeared to have worked out okay in testing, so doing the drink/baggage/boarding packages should be okay too.

I am going to have guess here, but what I was thinking AA did is say that they still want to try and show the lowest fare possible knowing that is how most people shop (sure, they have some bugs with the new display, but I think they will get that worked out), but they want to make more prominent the packages for baggage, boarding, and drinks so that they can start to sell those items more often. One of the problems AA have with the GDS (among many) is that the packages just don't fit well into how the GDS work in showing fares and such.

What should be much more interesting is discounted premium fares.

Rasheed