Can AA get any worse? (Charging nonstatus pax $75 standby complaint)
Jun 19, 2018, 1:06 pm
#76
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Not sure if you're arguing in bad faith or just hopelessly confused about an utterly simple concept.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:12 pm
#77
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Jun 19, 2018, 1:20 pm
#78
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Well the point I would have reinforced is that it never hurts to ask , as the original plan had been to take the bus from hongqiao train station to PVG. I don't really care what a company's policy is, only what that agent can do for me.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:30 pm
#79
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Then they can't have it. Just like if you want an earlier flight but don't want to pay (and aren't elite), then in most cases you can't have it. It's not that difficult.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:40 pm
#81
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I flew Delta last week where I have no status. I wanted to standby for an earlier flight and went to the SkyClub using my AmexPlat. They took my AmexPlat, charged me $75, and put me on standby for the earlier flight. I didn't think it made DL a sucky airline because of this policy and it certainly beat the alternative of changing my ticket and paying a fee which is probably 150 or 200. I agree I prefer the days when airlines would let everyone standby for an earlier flight without charge.
Anyway, so I come back and my flight has left (this is OAK, intra-CA, meaning flights leave every half hour or so), told the agent, explained what I was doing, got on the next flight. No problem at all.
It wasn't a big deal because the man I helped was flying AA. Back then people helped each other out.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:41 pm
#82
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OP, and more generally anyone who wants to stand by for an earlier flight, by definition places value on being able to change to the earlier flight.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:45 pm
#83
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WN's got it's niche. But let's not pretend it's a full service airline.
Oh, and what do full-service airlines become when they sell basic economy tickets? Full-service to some, not full to others? Half-service?
Jun 19, 2018, 1:46 pm
#84
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Jun 19, 2018, 1:55 pm
#85
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Try flying almost anywhere OTHER than the USA. Ask here in Australia if you can get on the earlier flight and unless the airline has concerns about weather/operational problems later (in which case they likely would have made the offer at check in) you won't be asked to pay $75...You will be told "Your ticket doesn't allow that".
Especially as a non status pax which was the OP's position.... wonder what the OP would say about QANTAS after experiencing that?
Interesting that the defence of WN ended up including the benefits of A-List etc...… Shouldn't the comparison have REMAINED with "no status"?
Especially as a non status pax which was the OP's position.... wonder what the OP would say about QANTAS after experiencing that?
Interesting that the defence of WN ended up including the benefits of A-List etc...… Shouldn't the comparison have REMAINED with "no status"?
Like you cannot checkin (with bags) more than 2 hours in advance? Since when? In the US it is dependent on the carrier and actual agent you encounter, but they usually can, just choose not to. In some other countries they actually cannot.
I wouldn't be surprised if the IT in Australia didn't allow them to do it, period. Even if they wanted to.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:56 pm
#87
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My son had same experience on a connection when he arrived early in CLT heading to DEN. As he had Admirals club membership, he waited the extra 2 hours in comfort, enjoyed a meal and a few drinks. Overall cost to him was $0, while his food and beverage likely hit AA for about $20. Sad to see any seat go out empty. Likely enjoyed by a non-rev employee though.
Jun 19, 2018, 2:31 pm
#88
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If there is a reason that the airline wants to get people out earlier, then the checkin kiosks will inform the passenger checking in that he can get on an earlier flight if wishes to do so
If someone turns up at a check in desk and has an inflexible ticket, then will be generally just told that needs to wait for the next flight; there is not much in the way of agent roulette where may find an agent ignoring rules
As far as accepting baggage , that isn't an IT issue, that is the airports not wanting baggage for long periods of time - travel through nmerous countries in Asia , such as Singapore, Malaysia, UAE it is quite possible for bags to stay checked through for up to 24 hours on a connection with no issue , which is a lot better than what AA mamages in USA
Jun 19, 2018, 2:38 pm
#89
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My son had same experience on a connection when he arrived early in CLT heading to DEN. As he had Admirals club membership, he waited the extra 2 hours in comfort, enjoyed a meal and a few drinks. Overall cost to him was $0, while his food and beverage likely hit AA for about $20. Sad to see any seat go out empty. Likely enjoyed by a non-rev employee though.
Jun 19, 2018, 2:41 pm
#90
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Thats pretty optimistic , seeing how its a fixed $75 fee and not dynamic based on demand/supply.