Economy Fares changes will increase COVID risk IMO
Oct 22, 2022, 3:25 am
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,983
I wish airlines would stop selling BE. It’s not changeable, no seat selections, no bags. It has always been very clear. Yet people who buy them expect exceptions to be made for them. So many time, I see kids crying because they can’t sit next to their “preferred” parent, parents are upset because the entire family of 4 can’t sit together.
now, we have implied Covid risk because BE is not changeable. The whole concept is just troublesome.
now, we have implied Covid risk because BE is not changeable. The whole concept is just troublesome.
Oct 22, 2022, 8:29 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 100
I think the impression that American recently adjusted refund/change fees is because they stopped selling domestic BE for almost two years, so all domestic fares were changeable.
I don’t think they ever changed domestic BE rules (apart from some waivers at the very beginning of COVID), they just stopped selling them. Which is clever from a marketing perspective with the long term view of reintroducing change fees without needing to make an announcement with all the associated negative publicity.
Domestic BE just came back in the past couple of months, so OP is feeling the change.
I have also switched to WN now for most of my domestic travel since AA “reintroduced” BE. I don’t want to pay 20% premium for the ability to change, and WN has much more SDC flexibility on the route I fly.
Was hitting a high percentage of upgrades on AA, but it’s domestic first, so whatever.
Edit: I understand that BE is totally non changeable/refundable - the rest stands
I don’t think they ever changed domestic BE rules (apart from some waivers at the very beginning of COVID), they just stopped selling them. Which is clever from a marketing perspective with the long term view of reintroducing change fees without needing to make an announcement with all the associated negative publicity.
Domestic BE just came back in the past couple of months, so OP is feeling the change.
I have also switched to WN now for most of my domestic travel since AA “reintroduced” BE. I don’t want to pay 20% premium for the ability to change, and WN has much more SDC flexibility on the route I fly.
Was hitting a high percentage of upgrades on AA, but it’s domestic first, so whatever.
Edit: I understand that BE is totally non changeable/refundable - the rest stands
Oct 22, 2022, 9:25 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,212
I wish airlines would stop selling BE. It’s not changeable, no seat selections, no bags. It has always been very clear. Yet people who buy them expect exceptions to be made for them. So many time, I see kids crying because they can’t sit next to their “preferred” parent, parents are upset because the entire family of 4 can’t sit together.
now, we have implied Covid risk because BE is not changeable. The whole concept is just troublesome.
now, we have implied Covid risk because BE is not changeable. The whole concept is just troublesome.
AA falls short on clearly disclosing several things, but BE is not one of them. There's a massive banner and repeated reminders that force acknowledgement of the conditions. Not reading or expecting the airline to not follow this is wishful thinking and self-importance.
Also, for us FTers who have status, BE is largely indistinguishable from regular Y save for the non-refundable/changeable aspect.
Oct 22, 2022, 2:53 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 138
I think the impression that American recently adjusted refund/change fees is because they stopped selling domestic BE for almost two years, so all domestic fares were changeable.
...
Domestic BE just came back in the past couple of months, so OP is feeling the change.
...
Domestic BE just came back in the past couple of months, so OP is feeling the change.
