Basic Economy carry ons
Jul 29, 2019, 5:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Basic Economy carry ons
I have not flown AA in years. We are booked basic economy in September Chicago to Orlando. I understand that our seats will likely not be together and we will be in the last boarding group. No problem with either of those things. We can sit apart for a few hours. Am I correct that I am allowed a carry on (I have a 21ish inch wheeled bag) and a personal item? If they try to get me to gate check the bag is there anything I can do?
I think valet check would be fine. If that is still a thing. I just want to have my bag when I leave the plane and not have it go to the luggage carrousel.
Thanks in advance for any insight!!
I think valet check would be fine. If that is still a thing. I just want to have my bag when I leave the plane and not have it go to the luggage carrousel.
Thanks in advance for any insight!!
Jul 29, 2019, 6:20 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,026
I have not flown AA in years. We are booked basic economy in September Chicago to Orlando. I understand that our seats will likely not be together and we will be in the last boarding group. No problem with either of those things. We can sit apart for a few hours. Am I correct that I am allowed a carry on (I have a 21ish inch wheeled bag) and a personal item? If they try to get me to gate check the bag is there anything I can do?
I think valet check would be fine. If that is still a thing. I just want to have my bag when I leave the plane and not have it go to the luggage carrousel.
Thanks in advance for any insight!!
I think valet check would be fine. If that is still a thing. I just want to have my bag when I leave the plane and not have it go to the luggage carrousel.
Thanks in advance for any insight!!
Basic Economy transatlantic baggage allowances
Jul 29, 2019, 6:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
I have not flown AA in years. We are booked basic economy in September Chicago to Orlando. I understand that our seats will likely not be together and we will be in the last boarding group. No problem with either of those things. We can sit apart for a few hours. Am I correct that I am allowed a carry on (I have a 21ish inch wheeled bag) and a personal item? If they try to get me to gate check the bag is there anything I can do?
I think valet check would be fine. If that is still a thing. I just want to have my bag when I leave the plane and not have it go to the luggage carrousel.
Thanks in advance for any insight!!
I think valet check would be fine. If that is still a thing. I just want to have my bag when I leave the plane and not have it go to the luggage carrousel.
Thanks in advance for any insight!!
Bags – One personal carry-on item that fits under the seat (such as a purse or small backpack) is allowed. No overhead bin luggage may be brought on board. Larger carry-ons such as a rollerboard bag must be checked at the ticket counter for the applicable checked-baggage charge. Basic Economy customers who bring more than an under-seat personal item to the gate will incur regular checked baggage charges plus a $25 gate service charge per bag.
Elite customers and eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers will be allowed to bring one personal item, one rollerboard, and they maintain their current free checked bag allowance.
What you could have done is not bought this terrible class of service. But kiss that bag goodbye for the duration and avoid the fee + their fee for collecting the baggage fee. Or get that AA credit card in the next month or so.
Jul 29, 2019, 6:42 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hertz Gold Plus, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 338
It is all available to read on AA.com but vs. making you read YAT (yet another thread), here's what it says:
Bags – One personal carry-on item that fits under the seat (such as a purse or small backpack) is allowed. No overhead bin luggage may be brought on board. Larger carry-ons such as a rollerboard bag must be checked at the ticket counter for the applicable checked-baggage charge. Basic Economy customers who bring more than an under-seat personal item to the gate will incur regular checked baggage charges plus a $25 gate service charge per bag.
Elite customers and eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers will be allowed to bring one personal item, one rollerboard, and they maintain their current free checked bag allowance.
What you could have done is not bought this terrible class of service. But kiss that bag goodbye for the duration and avoid the fee + their fee for collecting the baggage fee. Or get that AA credit card in the next month or so.
Bags – One personal carry-on item that fits under the seat (such as a purse or small backpack) is allowed. No overhead bin luggage may be brought on board. Larger carry-ons such as a rollerboard bag must be checked at the ticket counter for the applicable checked-baggage charge. Basic Economy customers who bring more than an under-seat personal item to the gate will incur regular checked baggage charges plus a $25 gate service charge per bag.
Elite customers and eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers will be allowed to bring one personal item, one rollerboard, and they maintain their current free checked bag allowance.
What you could have done is not bought this terrible class of service. But kiss that bag goodbye for the duration and avoid the fee + their fee for collecting the baggage fee. Or get that AA credit card in the next month or so.
Bag details
You can board with 1 carry-on and 1 personal item. The carry-on item must fit in the overhead bin and be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm). The personal item like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you and be no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm).
In addition to your personal item; instruments, pets and special items that meet our guidelines can be carried on but will be subject to standard charges.
No other items can be carried on; they must be checked at ticket counters.
On the other hand, the overhead bins could already be full when you board in the last group.
Jul 29, 2019, 6:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AAdvatage
Posts: 78
It is all available to read on AA.com but vs. making you read YAT (yet another thread), here's what it says:
Bags – One personal carry-on item that fits under the seat (such as a purse or small backpack) is allowed. No overhead bin luggage may be brought on board. Larger carry-ons such as a rollerboard bag must be checked at the ticket counter for the applicable checked-baggage charge. Basic Economy customers who bring more than an under-seat personal item to the gate will incur regular checked baggage charges plus a $25 gate service charge per bag.
Bags – One personal carry-on item that fits under the seat (such as a purse or small backpack) is allowed. No overhead bin luggage may be brought on board. Larger carry-ons such as a rollerboard bag must be checked at the ticket counter for the applicable checked-baggage charge. Basic Economy customers who bring more than an under-seat personal item to the gate will incur regular checked baggage charges plus a $25 gate service charge per bag.
Jul 29, 2019, 6:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
While you may be allowed to bring a rollerboard now according to the rules, the odds of you being able to actually do so are pretty slim as the bins will likely be full by group 9.
ETA: Should also add, no the valet service is not going to be an option unless you're on a regional jet without normal sized bins (ie CRJ7, ER4) - so if they gate check it will be to bagage claim at your final.
ETA: Should also add, no the valet service is not going to be an option unless you're on a regional jet without normal sized bins (ie CRJ7, ER4) - so if they gate check it will be to bagage claim at your final.
Last edited by ryan182; Jul 29, 2019 at 7:07 pm
Jul 29, 2019, 7:24 pm
#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
Jul 29, 2019, 7:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Admirals Club member
Posts: 419
Bring your bag to the gate & then immediately gate-check it to wash your hands of it.
Pretty stress-free actually (as opposed to those in say...group 6 who will be sweating it out to see if they can stow their bag up top...)
Load the AA app onto your phone / tablet too, so you can watch TV / movies etc...
Pretty stress-free actually (as opposed to those in say...group 6 who will be sweating it out to see if they can stow their bag up top...)
Load the AA app onto your phone / tablet too, so you can watch TV / movies etc...
Jul 29, 2019, 8:44 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP 4MM
Posts: 396
Curious why they gave up on this policy of charging for the bag. I'm sure the revenue was not worth the time to enforce and create a delayed departure especially since they would run out of space.
Jul 29, 2019, 8:54 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Complimentary carry-on bag. Overhead bin space may be limited, so your carry-on bag may be gate checked free of charge
Jul 29, 2019, 9:45 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Living the dream in Antigua and the nightmare in Florida
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM, *A Gold, WN detractor
Posts: 49,906
Well, live and learn. I had always assumed that I would not maintain my PlAAtinum benefits if I booked one of these atrocity fares.It seems that other than earning 50% EQM's (irrelevant to me, since I am LT Plat), nothing would be different. Thanks FT!
Jul 30, 2019, 7:04 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Thanks for all the feedback. I guess I’ll just have to see what happens. I did in fact read the AA website and baggage restrictions before booking. We chose AA because a carry on was allowed. The point of a carry on for me is to have essentials, a change of clothes, etc in case my checked bag gets lost. Checking it at the gate just defeats the purpose of that.
Jul 30, 2019, 7:14 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Thanks for all the feedback. I guess I’ll just have to see what happens. I did in fact read the AA website and baggage restrictions before booking. We chose AA because a carry on was allowed. The point of a carry on for me is to have essentials, a change of clothes, etc in case my checked bag gets lost. Checking it at the gate just defeats the purpose of that.
But I would expect a very real chance that by the time they start boarding Basic Economy fares in Group 9, there will be no overhead space left and they'll require you to check your bag. If it's valuable to carry on your bag, you should purchase Main Cabin going forward. AA.com should probably be more explicit that the Group 9 boarding could result in lack of overhead space for carry-on bags.