Elite status traveling with pets - any exemptions?
Apr 13, 2010, 6:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LGA
Programs: HHonors Diamond, AA PLT
Posts: 195
Elite status traveling with pets - any exemptions?
From the AA website:
Checked Pets - $150
cabin pets - $100
Anyone out there with elite status have experience with traveling with pets? Does AA waive their fees for elite travelers?
Checked Pets - $150
cabin pets - $100
Anyone out there with elite status have experience with traveling with pets? Does AA waive their fees for elite travelers?
Apr 13, 2010, 7:01 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
My only complaint about the fee: sometimes the pet fee is the same price or actually more expensive than to simply buy him his own seat and, although in those cases I've tried to simply buy the seat, I've been unable to do so.
Last edited by bdemaria; Apr 13, 2010 at 7:07 am
Apr 13, 2010, 9:05 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA EXP, 1 MM, AC, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,010
Apr 13, 2010, 9:45 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA GLD .25MM, CO, UA, US, DL, HH, SPG (all cardboard)
Posts: 1,951
While totally understanding that pet fees are not waived for elites, if that was an Executive Platinum only benefit I'd MR all I needed to get EXP just for that.
Apr 13, 2010, 10:29 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA EXP, 1 MM, AC, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,010
Apr 13, 2010, 10:44 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,527
Cheers.
Apr 13, 2010, 10:53 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA EXP, 1 MM, AC, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,010
<deleted post>
I didn't see anyone in this thread suggesting a Google search. Did I miss something, perhaps?
Seems as if the question of whether waived pet fees are an elite benefit was answered. And the answer is "no."
I didn't see anyone in this thread suggesting a Google search. Did I miss something, perhaps?
Seems as if the question of whether waived pet fees are an elite benefit was answered. And the answer is "no."
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 14, 2010 at 9:43 am Reason: redacted deleted post
Apr 13, 2010, 10:56 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Well, sure, that has definitely happened. If we use that criterion, then the answer to every question is "yes," since it has happened to someone. In that case, there's also no point in asking since the answer to "has it ever happened" is already known. I have a feeling that the OP was asking if this was an elite perk, rather than if anyone, at any time has gotten an exception (like the examples you gave). If that is the case, then these things are well-documented, as noted, and easy to find. If it's the "has it ever happened" the answer, as always, is "yes."
Cheers.
Cheers.
Agreed.... The fee applies to EXPs. If it isn't documented as a benefit, you might get it waived, but don't bet on it. It's a fee that would only benefit a small percentage, if waived, and I would bet it is even more likely the person traveling with the pet is on an "excursion" fare. That is, people traveling with pets are as likely to be on a business trip and paying higher fares.
There seems little point in AA giving up a fee that would only affect a small percentage of tickets purchased by EXPs.
Apr 13, 2010, 9:37 pm
#10
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: 14,517
Back on topic (kind of), remember that if traveling with a pet, you cannot travel in an exit row, even though you can select it as an elite. And be careful of upgrade requests, a late clearing upgrade may leave you in a F bulkhead seat (also no-go with a pet).
Apr 13, 2010, 10:19 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
I'm with you on this, if people where to simply answer the questions asked things would move along much better. I'm fairly new to the site and already wished there was a BLOCK button so I could block a few people I find "stupid".
Some people on here "NEED" a life. My understanding of this board was to find helpful information and am sadly disappointed that there are a good number of individuals who just feed on criticizing behind the safety of the net.
Sorry I went off topic here.
Some people on here "NEED" a life. My understanding of this board was to find helpful information and am sadly disappointed that there are a good number of individuals who just feed on criticizing behind the safety of the net.
Sorry I went off topic here.
Apr 14, 2010, 5:38 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 285
What I don’t understand is why pets are not allowed in the cabin for international travel (e.g. TATL). Air France allows pets in the cabin so it is not a question of the destination per se. Does anyone know why AA makes this distinction? When I moved from NY to Paris with my pet I ended up flying AF just because I could fly with my pet in the cabin. Just curious…
Apr 14, 2010, 7:31 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: TVC
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT., Marriott LT GLD
Posts: 504
I find it curious that, even though I have traveled with a pet more than a dozen times, not once has anyone ever asked to see a receipt for a paid pet fee. Someone with far less honor than me could probably just roll the dice and claim ignorance if caught, then pay the fee.
Further, I can only think of one time where I was moved from exit row due to the cat.
Seems to me that enforcement is not a big priority to AA.
Further, I can only think of one time where I was moved from exit row due to the cat.
Seems to me that enforcement is not a big priority to AA.
Apr 14, 2010, 7:48 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
I find it curious that, even though I have traveled with a pet more than a dozen times, not once has anyone ever asked to see a receipt for a paid pet fee. Someone with far less honor than me could probably just roll the dice and claim ignorance if caught, then pay the fee.
Further, I can only think of one time where I was moved from exit row due to the cat.
Seems to me that enforcement is not a big priority to AA.
Further, I can only think of one time where I was moved from exit row due to the cat.
Seems to me that enforcement is not a big priority to AA.