Apr 26, 2021, 11:18 am
Last edit by: JDiver
AA has gate checked carryon baggage that is excess or when bins are full for free. A new American Airlines “Airport Excellence Advisory” instructs agents to check the bag(s) and collect the checked baggage fee, “unless you’re entitled to free checked bags with a premium cabin ticket, AAdvantage elite status, or co-brand credit card.“
See full View From the Wing article by Gary Leff here.
See full View From the Wing article by Gary Leff here.
AA to Charge For Checking Oversized Carry-Ons (April 2021)
Apr 26, 2021, 8:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
AA to Charge For Checking Oversized Carry-Ons (April 2021)
While I feel for the gate agents on this one, I do see it reducing serious offenders who have to put their bag in sideways and block what could be used by three other rollaboards. Although AAdvantage elite members, co-branded credit card members, etc are exempt. I see this still helping with folks in elite category benefiting, especially if the flight boards early. Thoughts from others?
More here: https://onemileatatime.com/american-..._policy_change
More here: https://onemileatatime.com/american-..._policy_change
Apr 26, 2021, 9:31 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 307
The problem will be consistency! Before this "mandate" we took a trip to TPA (early March) and boarded in zone 4 on a very full flight. Both our bags failed the sizer check and were forced to be gate checked. We've been flying with these bags for years and know they fit perfectly fine in most mainline flights. Gate checking was not a issue in reality, but as we watched the plan fill up, dozens of bags similar size and larger were allowed to be carried on. Mrs. Infrequent Flyer was NOT happy, but it really was a 1st world problem and we were heading on vacation so no need to stress. Just this might be a issue with the new mandate.
Apr 26, 2021, 9:36 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
The problem will be consistency! Before this "mandate" we took a trip to TPA (early March) and boarded in zone 4 on a very full flight. Both our bags failed the sizer check and were forced to be gate checked. We've been flying with these bags for years and know they fit perfectly fine in most mainline flights. Gate checking was not a issue in reality, but as we watched the plan fill up, dozens of bags similar size and larger were allowed to be carried on. Mrs. Infrequent Flyer was NOT happy, but it really was a 1st world problem and we were heading on vacation so no need to stress. Just this might be a issue with the new mandate.
Apr 26, 2021, 3:59 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PVG, FRA, SEA, HEL
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 4,783
Do you have to post a link to a private blogger? It looks to me as you want to funnel traffic to this site in order to generate ad revenue.
Apr 26, 2021, 4:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Costco Club
Posts: 1,153
Why does it matter? It's a thorough journalistic article. Most news agencies are "private." I implore you to find a "public" website that is reporting this information and doing a better job at it?
Apr 26, 2021, 4:44 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
It showed up in my google news feed, and I thought to start a discussion. I would hope if I were into generating ad rev I would find a better method than to post in a niche internet forum that would garner maybe 50 clicks. I have zero affiliation with the publisher.
Apr 26, 2021, 7:51 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,212
Apr 26, 2021, 7:59 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,811
Apr 26, 2021, 8:29 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DSM
Programs: UA 1K, AA EP, DL PL, HH Dia, Marriott Gld, National Exp
Posts: 720
I'm curious ... Have any of the US carriers ever offered free checked bag at the ticket counter if the bag is small enough to fit in the carry-on sizer? Basically, doing what they've been doing at the gate, but upfront, at the TIcket counter?
Apr 26, 2021, 8:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Costco Club
Posts: 1,153
Yes, several have tried this to varying success. Some also allowed it a the kiosk. The 2 airlines I've been a manager at when they tried it, they determined that people were just using that for checked bags for free.
Apr 26, 2021, 8:36 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DSM
Programs: UA 1K, AA EP, DL PL, HH Dia, Marriott Gld, National Exp
Posts: 720
In this scenario, isn't that kinda the point? If it is going to happen for free at the gate, why not save everyone the time at the gate and just do it upfront?
Apr 26, 2021, 9:02 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
While this idea should, in theory, reduce said “repeat offenders” my worry is this will make the gate lice situation even worse. Unless steps are taken.
If you’re on a full flight and are Group 5 and higher, they should warn you of this at check-in, or even better, warn you at the time of booking. Maybe even offer a reduced pre-paid checked bag fee?
If you decide to take your carry-on still and don’t have overhead bin space, tough luck. You pay the whole fee. However, who’s to say this won’t cause delays if suddenly an angry pax (of any boarding group) is forced to pay to check? Brainstorming here, so I’m curious of other FTer’s takes/thoughts.
If you’re on a full flight and are Group 5 and higher, they should warn you of this at check-in, or even better, warn you at the time of booking. Maybe even offer a reduced pre-paid checked bag fee?
If you decide to take your carry-on still and don’t have overhead bin space, tough luck. You pay the whole fee. However, who’s to say this won’t cause delays if suddenly an angry pax (of any boarding group) is forced to pay to check? Brainstorming here, so I’m curious of other FTer’s takes/thoughts.
Apr 26, 2021, 9:13 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,015
My guess is that this will only be aimed at obvious offenders with full size bags. I've seen people haul full-size luggage through TSA before and assumed they probably knew it would just be gate-checked and thus they could avoid luggage check fees.
