BAJames

Hello,
im looking to do an internal US flight with American and was wondering what being a BA gold card allows me in economy.
Economy options:
Main Cabin
Main Cabin Plus

on the seat map it shows
Main Cabin Extra
Preffered

Am I able to select main cabin and with being a Gold member, select main cabin extra seats and have free checked baggag?

thanks for your help as usual

Cymro

Generally, unrestricted seating options and one free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance (so if zero bags are standard, you still get one, unlike BA's hand baggage only fares), as well as Admirals/international first lounge access.

However, there are some restrictions around basic economy that need to be checked.

TTmex

I'm pretty sure gold on AA domestic gets 3 checked bags at 23kg in economy and 3 at 32kg in business. Seats should be free from time.of booking.

CKBA

As BA Gold in AA economy you can choose you seats at the time of booking (or any time thereafter) - both the 'preferred' and the main cabin plus (i.e. no restrictions within the economy cabin). You'll also have complementary 'enhanced' beverages (incl. G&T - but probably of the Aviation-fuel type).

One nice bonus is, where they have them, you'll get access to the Flagship lounges - which IMHO are better than the BA Flounges - less packed, decent food, etc. However, these lounges are limited to their main hubs.

Cw novice

On the lounge front worth seeking out an Alaska Lounge if it's between that and an Admirals Club where you're traveling from.

In the absence of a Flagship Lounge of course, which are rather quite nice especially if you're OWS.

marcopizzaiuolo

I had a similar question back in February as a BA silver and although I ended up booking in Main Cabin and selecting anyway Main Cabin Extra seats, I later learned that 100% even on Basic Economy I would have been able to select:

- Main Cabin Extra seat selection at time of booking (extra legroom and alcoholic drinks served, but please do not take the wine, one of the vilest wine I had ever tasted in my life)
- 2 x 23 kg checked in luggage, but be aware they are very strictly about the exact weight limit of each luggage (you may well be entitled to 3 as a Gold, worth checking)
- Priority Boarding
- Flagship Lounge (where available) or Admiral Lounge access (flagship being so much better).

basically, the only thing that you would not benefit from in practice is the priority for Operational Upgrades, as AA status holders will still have priority over you and my understanding is that there are so many of them making this virtually impossible for you

BAJames

Thanks for your replies.
Do the BA oneworld benefits apply to the Basic economy fare or just the Main cabin fares?

This would be a flight from DFW to NYC

marcopizzaiuolo

I walked away whilst drafting my response and by the time I actually posted few extra comments have appeared, also mentioning the Flagship Lounge, glad I was not the only one to point this out.

For me, aside of being a very nice environment (MIA) , with large spaces, fairly good food (they even had a roast beef corner), the champagne offer would have already made it much better than BA Gallery Lounges: Piper Heidsieck, one of the best quality/value champagne out there (especially bought at �16/18 during the UK Supermarket pre Xmas offers)

marcopizzaiuolo

As I implied in my original response, yes they do.

Worth also sharing that if you do get an Online Upgrade offer for business (they call it First) , but have already selected Main Cabin Extra seats, there may not be to much value into it, especially as you will not be earning the extra TP.

Cw novice

Give yourself some time in the lounge there it's lovely. Also they had the Balvenie Doublewood which is an excellent drop pre flight

BAJames

Thanks, I pressed send and then saw your message.
With boarding, Basic economy says last group but I�m assuming with my BA status it will be one of the first groups to board? Is that right?

Repooc17

Ignore the warnings about basic economy ticket.

I am AS 75K = OWE, which I believe BA Gold also is of the same OneWorld tier.

As an OWE, with a basic economy ticket, you can still select economy seats at booking, just not main cabin extra (MCE). Your boarding group should be 2.

Just make sure your BA number is added to the AA ticket record, so your status can be recognized.

marcopizzaiuolo

are you sure, on the AA forum there was a full agreement that OWE could select MainCabin
Extra seats.

AA has 24hrs free cancellation, so one way to be sure for the OP would be to book Basic Economy, add BAEC number to the booking and select seat, to confirm whereby Main Cabin Extra can be selected. If not, the booking can be cancelled within the first 24hrs and fully refunded, to book again Main Cabin (where I am sure, based on first hand experience, that Main cabin Extra can be selected).

all the other bene first (priority boarding, luggage allowance, lounge access, are definitive).

Repooc17

On basic economy tickets within the US? I could not select MCE as an AS 75K. I could, but not complementary.

If you can do with BA Gold, then great!

BAJames

Thanks.
At time of booking I entered BA exec number and was able to select main cabin extra seats with no charge so looks good.
thanks for your help