Originally Posted by
ijgordon
I’m considering my first B6 flight in several years and still struggling to understand the practicalities of the Blue Basic fare. So a few questions:
1) I have AA Gold status which includes a free checked bag, presumably regardless of fare type. Do I have to check the bag before security (and wait in line) or can I do it at the gate?
2) If I have a Blue Basic fare and purchase an EMS seat assignment, will I be able to (a) board with regular EMS pax and (b) take a carry on at that point?
Assuming the EMS price is the same for Blue and Blue Basic fares, seems like #2 creates a bit of a loophole to save $ by buying Blue Extra, you just give up the ticket flexibility, right?
Thank you!
As to question #1, yes, you get a free checked bag regardless of fare type. Not sure about whether you can check it at the gate for free (assuming that the bag is small enough to get past TSA).
As to question #2, yes, anyone who buys a Blue Basic ticket and ends up with an EMS seat (either by paying for it more than 24 hours before departure, or getting it for free at 24 hours before departure based on AAdvantage Gold status) gets to bring on board a "full-size" carry-on, in addition to an under-seat "personal" item.
AAdvantage Golds flying JetBlue get to use priority check-in counters, and get priority boarding. Details here:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...es/jetblue.jsp
(Scroll down to "AAdvantage status benefits.")