Worth getting AAdvantage Card to combat basic economy restrictions?
Apr 21, 2019, 8:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Several...
Posts: 175
Worth getting AAdvantage Card to combat basic economy restrictions?
I have a CSR which I love because it gives me phenomenal travel perks. But, I'm considering the co-branded Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card to combat most of the cons of purchasing basic economy airfare.
It's been a looooooooooong time since I've had to purchase an airline ticket because I had family that worked for AA and I was a registered companion. But, now that we have moved on and happily found employment elsewhere, I'm suffering from a bit of sticker shock at these new (to me) basic economy fares. I thought basic economy was supposed to provide a less expensive option for people, but instead it seems the basic economy fares are the same price as the regular fares used to be and now you have to pay substantially more for what used to be basic service.
At any rate, we are planning a trip and the fares are 509/pp for basic economy and 579/pp for main cabin. That saves us 280 for our family of four. Plus luggage is $25/pp and so that's $200.00 in luggage round trip, which is waived with this cobranded card.
The card apparently gives you free first bag (domestic only), allows you group 5 boarding (even if you purchase basic economy which is group 9 with no carry on allowed). Since we fly frequently it seems like a good idea. At the same time, it seems silly to be obtaining a credit card just for free luggage. Has anyone done this, but not really used the card other than minor purchases to keep it active. I don't see using this one more than my CSR. It's worth noting that I live near an AA monopoly and there's almost no way to anywhere domestic without hopping on an AA flight. Your thoughts?
It's been a looooooooooong time since I've had to purchase an airline ticket because I had family that worked for AA and I was a registered companion. But, now that we have moved on and happily found employment elsewhere, I'm suffering from a bit of sticker shock at these new (to me) basic economy fares. I thought basic economy was supposed to provide a less expensive option for people, but instead it seems the basic economy fares are the same price as the regular fares used to be and now you have to pay substantially more for what used to be basic service.
At any rate, we are planning a trip and the fares are 509/pp for basic economy and 579/pp for main cabin. That saves us 280 for our family of four. Plus luggage is $25/pp and so that's $200.00 in luggage round trip, which is waived with this cobranded card.
The card apparently gives you free first bag (domestic only), allows you group 5 boarding (even if you purchase basic economy which is group 9 with no carry on allowed). Since we fly frequently it seems like a good idea. At the same time, it seems silly to be obtaining a credit card just for free luggage. Has anyone done this, but not really used the card other than minor purchases to keep it active. I don't see using this one more than my CSR. It's worth noting that I live near an AA monopoly and there's almost no way to anywhere domestic without hopping on an AA flight. Your thoughts?
Last edited by soliloquy; Apr 21, 2019 at 8:47 pm
Apr 21, 2019, 9:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
You really dont need to do anything but pay the annual fee to get the benefits. As you say, youll get free checked bags for up to 4 passengers and group 5 boarding. You still *wont* get free seat assignments so your party could and will likely be separated quite often. And of course the tickets are not changeable - no standby, no same-day confirmed change, no voluntary changes whatsoever.
But otherwise what you propose is totally fine
But otherwise what you propose is totally fine
Apr 21, 2019, 9:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
Yes, many people get the AA card just for the checked bag / priority boarding benefits. The discount on onboard food and beverage purchases is nice too if you ever buy on board. As far as putting any spend on the card, it was never much good for that. 2 miles per dollar on AA purchases can't compete against CSR or even CSP.
Apr 22, 2019, 1:07 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
If you get one of the cards you should absolutely complete the minimum spend to get the introductory offer for the bonus miles.
You also might consider the Barclay card read aviator MasterCard, which also provides a free checked bag and priority boarding.
One other thing that you might want to consider from the Barclay card offering is that you get a companion pass after spending $20,000 a year, on any purchases. That may or may not be valuable based on the routes that youre flying.
One other thing that you might want to be aware of is that if your family has young children, they will be seated with you within 48 hours of booking, which would make basic economy a more viable option for your family.
Since you seem to be new to purchasing airfare you also might want to be aware that there are often minimum advance purchasing requirements for many of the fair bases that AA files, these typically range from at least 2 to 3 weeks before ticketing. You will often find that you can get much better fares if you can plan a bit further in advance. You can use a service like ExpertFlyer to find out what the lowest fares filed on a given route are, and it might be helpful to you as you decide when to phurchase.
Its also worth noting that if anyone in your group can get at least gold status which is the lowest level of elite status at American Airlines offers that status benefits will apply to all travel companions flying with the status holder, And that the free checked bag benefit for elite passengers, isnt restricted to domestic travel. You may also find it worthwhile to consider a status with another one world partner, as you may or may not find it easier to obtain, particularly given that youre planning to buy basic economy tickets.
I hope this is helpful and that you and your family have fun wherever you choose to fly!
You also might consider the Barclay card read aviator MasterCard, which also provides a free checked bag and priority boarding.
One other thing that you might want to consider from the Barclay card offering is that you get a companion pass after spending $20,000 a year, on any purchases. That may or may not be valuable based on the routes that youre flying.
One other thing that you might want to be aware of is that if your family has young children, they will be seated with you within 48 hours of booking, which would make basic economy a more viable option for your family.
Since you seem to be new to purchasing airfare you also might want to be aware that there are often minimum advance purchasing requirements for many of the fair bases that AA files, these typically range from at least 2 to 3 weeks before ticketing. You will often find that you can get much better fares if you can plan a bit further in advance. You can use a service like ExpertFlyer to find out what the lowest fares filed on a given route are, and it might be helpful to you as you decide when to phurchase.
Its also worth noting that if anyone in your group can get at least gold status which is the lowest level of elite status at American Airlines offers that status benefits will apply to all travel companions flying with the status holder, And that the free checked bag benefit for elite passengers, isnt restricted to domestic travel. You may also find it worthwhile to consider a status with another one world partner, as you may or may not find it easier to obtain, particularly given that youre planning to buy basic economy tickets.
I hope this is helpful and that you and your family have fun wherever you choose to fly!
Apr 22, 2019, 6:48 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,948
The card apparently gives you free first bag (domestic only), allows you group 5 boarding (even if you purchase basic economy which is group 9 with no carry on allowed). Since we fly frequently it seems like a good idea. At the same time, it seems silly to be obtaining a credit card just for free luggage. Has anyone done this, but not really used the card other than minor purchases to keep it active. I don't see using this one more than my CSR. It's worth noting that I live near an AA monopoly and there's almost no way to anywhere domestic without hopping on an AA flight. Your thoughts?
Apr 22, 2019, 6:51 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Apr 22, 2019, 7:16 am
#9
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I would be careful with that exclusionary language. Instead of 'only UA still doesn't allow,' I might say that DL, AA, and AS do allow carry-on with Basic Economy/Saver fares. So do JetBlue's Blue fares. As for Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant - I will let others comment.
Apr 22, 2019, 7:25 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,539
It has a $450 annual fee, but if you are going to travel a lot, then the AA Exec card might make sense, you and any adults you trust and travel with (since additional cards are free) get AAdmirals Club membership and can guest in 1 person.
Apr 22, 2019, 9:02 am
#11
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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Posts: 26,702
As ULCCs, Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant don't use the term "basic economy." Only DL,AA,AS and UA use that term. Of these, only UA still doesn't allow carry-on on a BE fare. Which is what I said.
Apr 22, 2019, 9:08 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Just don't overlook the most significant BE restriction. The fares are wholly inflexible. That means no voluntary changes of any kind. No change with a fee, no SDC with or without a fee. While this might not matter on a ticket that was cheap to begin with, you don't have to lose the value of many of these before you have more than lost the savings from having purchased BE in the first place.
Apr 22, 2019, 9:15 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
I have received retention offers for the last 2 years, of $300.00 rebates,
Apr 22, 2019, 11:19 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Several...
Posts: 175
I did see that. I already pay a hefty fee for my CSR and it will remain my primary travel card unless something changes. I really only need it for the baggage and group boarding status. I can use Priority Pass with my CSR if I want a lounge. There are more Priority Pass lounges than AAC lounges at this point, it seems.
Apr 22, 2019, 11:19 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Several...
Posts: 175
Just don't overlook the most significant BE restriction. The fares are wholly inflexible. That means no voluntary changes of any kind. No change with a fee, no SDC with or without a fee. While this might not matter on a ticket that was cheap to begin with, you don't have to lose the value of many of these before you have more than lost the savings from having purchased BE in the first place.