Blue Basic “Loopholes” (with AA status)
Feb 5, 2023 | 8:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,890
Blue Basic “Loopholes” (with AA status)
I’m considering my first B6 flight in several years and still struggling to understand the practicalities of the Blue Basic fare. So a few questions:
1) I have AA Gold status which includes a free checked bag, presumably regardless of fare type. Do I have to check the bag before security (and wait in line) or can I do it at the gate?
2) If I have a Blue Basic fare and purchase an EMS seat assignment, will I be able to (a) board with regular EMS pax and (b) take a carry on at that point?
Assuming the EMS price is the same for Blue and Blue Basic fares, seems like #2 creates a bit of a loophole to save $ by buying Blue Extra, you just give up the ticket flexibility, right?
Thank you!
1) I have AA Gold status which includes a free checked bag, presumably regardless of fare type. Do I have to check the bag before security (and wait in line) or can I do it at the gate?
2) If I have a Blue Basic fare and purchase an EMS seat assignment, will I be able to (a) board with regular EMS pax and (b) take a carry on at that point?
Assuming the EMS price is the same for Blue and Blue Basic fares, seems like #2 creates a bit of a loophole to save $ by buying Blue Extra, you just give up the ticket flexibility, right?
Thank you!
Feb 5, 2023 | 9:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 35,098
I’m considering my first B6 flight in several years and still struggling to understand the practicalities of the Blue Basic fare. So a few questions:
1) I have AA Gold status which includes a free checked bag, presumably regardless of fare type. Do I have to check the bag before security (and wait in line) or can I do it at the gate?
2) If I have a Blue Basic fare and purchase an EMS seat assignment, will I be able to (a) board with regular EMS pax and (b) take a carry on at that point?
Assuming the EMS price is the same for Blue and Blue Basic fares, seems like #2 creates a bit of a loophole to save $ by buying Blue Extra, you just give up the ticket flexibility, right?
Thank you!
1) I have AA Gold status which includes a free checked bag, presumably regardless of fare type. Do I have to check the bag before security (and wait in line) or can I do it at the gate?
2) If I have a Blue Basic fare and purchase an EMS seat assignment, will I be able to (a) board with regular EMS pax and (b) take a carry on at that point?
Assuming the EMS price is the same for Blue and Blue Basic fares, seems like #2 creates a bit of a loophole to save $ by buying Blue Extra, you just give up the ticket flexibility, right?
Thank you!
As to question #2, yes, anyone who buys a Blue Basic ticket and ends up with an EMS seat (either by paying for it more than 24 hours before departure, or getting it for free at 24 hours before departure based on AAdvantage Gold status) gets to bring on board a "full-size" carry-on, in addition to an under-seat "personal" item.
AAdvantage Golds flying JetBlue get to use priority check-in counters, and get priority boarding. Details here:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...es/jetblue.jsp
(Scroll down to "AAdvantage status benefits.")
Feb 6, 2023 | 5:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 151
As to question #1, yes, you get a free checked bag regardless of fare type. Not sure about whether you can check it at the gate for free (assuming that the bag is small enough to get past TSA).
As to question #2, yes, anyone who buys a Blue Basic ticket and ends up with an EMS seat (either by paying for it more than 24 hours before departure, or getting it for free at 24 hours before departure based on AAdvantage Gold status) gets to bring on board a "full-size" carry-on, in addition to an under-seat "personal" item.
AAdvantage Golds flying JetBlue get to use priority check-in counters, and get priority boarding. Details here:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...es/jetblue.jsp
(Scroll down to "AAdvantage status benefits.")
As to question #2, yes, anyone who buys a Blue Basic ticket and ends up with an EMS seat (either by paying for it more than 24 hours before departure, or getting it for free at 24 hours before departure based on AAdvantage Gold status) gets to bring on board a "full-size" carry-on, in addition to an under-seat "personal" item.
AAdvantage Golds flying JetBlue get to use priority check-in counters, and get priority boarding. Details here:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...es/jetblue.jsp
(Scroll down to "AAdvantage status benefits.")
Feb 7, 2023 | 7:03 am
#4
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,890
Feb 7, 2023 | 7:27 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 151
May 27, 2023 | 8:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: EWR PHL JFK
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 201
As to question #1, yes, you get a free checked bag regardless of fare type. Not sure about whether you can check it at the gate for free (assuming that the bag is small enough to get past TSA).
As to question #2, yes, anyone who buys a Blue Basic ticket and ends up with an EMS seat (either by paying for it more than 24 hours before departure, or getting it for free at 24 hours before departure based on AAdvantage Gold status) gets to bring on board a "full-size" carry-on, in addition to an under-seat "personal" item.
AAdvantage Golds flying JetBlue get to use priority check-in counters, and get priority boarding. Details here:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...es/jetblue.jsp
(Scroll down to "AAdvantage status benefits.")
As to question #2, yes, anyone who buys a Blue Basic ticket and ends up with an EMS seat (either by paying for it more than 24 hours before departure, or getting it for free at 24 hours before departure based on AAdvantage Gold status) gets to bring on board a "full-size" carry-on, in addition to an under-seat "personal" item.
AAdvantage Golds flying JetBlue get to use priority check-in counters, and get priority boarding. Details here:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...es/jetblue.jsp
(Scroll down to "AAdvantage status benefits.")
To clarify, AA gold flying on Basic ticket can clear into EMS (after higher tiers) 24 hours before - is that correct?
Would everyone in the same reservation also be able to potentially upgrade to EMS?
May 27, 2023 | 9:54 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 35,098
2. Yes.
Jun 2, 2023 | 2:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,675
So to continue this and a question I had was if we don't end up with EMS seats, then no carry on on a basic fare no matter the status? I have been trying to figure this out since yesterday and saw a tweet from jetblue that you could board with a carry on with status but was from last yaer.
Jun 2, 2023 | 2:25 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
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Posts: 35,098
So to continue this and a question I had was if we don't end up with EMS seats, then no carry on on a basic fare no matter the status? I have been trying to figure this out since yesterday and saw a tweet from jetblue that you could board with a carry on with status but was from last yaer.
https://www.jetblue.com/help/carry-on-bags
("Carry-On Bags")
Jun 2, 2023 | 2:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,675
You can find the exceptions to the carry-on prohibition on Blue Basic fares here:
https://www.jetblue.com/help/carry-on-bags
("Carry-On Bags")
https://www.jetblue.com/help/carry-on-bags
("Carry-On Bags")
JetBlue
@JetBlue
Sorry for the confusion! Yes, as of March 9, 2022, you can bring a carry-on bag with your AAdvantage Platinum Pro with a Blue Basic fare.
Jun 2, 2023 | 2:54 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 35,098
Thanks I've read that but it does not answer my question directly and contradicts the jetblue twitter:
JetBlue
@JetBlue
Sorry for the confusion! Yes, as of March 9, 2022, you can bring a carry-on bag with your AAdvantage Platinum Pro with a Blue Basic fare.
6:48 AM · Mar 23, 2022
JetBlue
@JetBlue
Sorry for the confusion! Yes, as of March 9, 2022, you can bring a carry-on bag with your AAdvantage Platinum Pro with a Blue Basic fare.
6:48 AM · Mar 23, 2022
Jun 5, 2023 | 9:27 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,675
We're actually just going to pay more to fly out of home aiport on AA metal instead but just FYI for future people reading this, I inquired on twitter and got the same response. So looks like elites do get carry on on basic.