AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June 15

[Keith009]

$15 for first bag, $25 for second. Applies to domestic flights in Y.
Net SAAver & Special Offers - Special Offer Details

Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after May 12, 2008 but before June 15, 2008 may check one bag for free and check a second bag for $25 each way. Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after June 15, 2008 will be charged $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag. Our carry-on policy of one personal item (such as a purse or laptop bag) plus one bag remains in place.

Exceptions:

# Customers traveling on an international itinerary to destinations beyond the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Canada
# Customers who purchase full-fare tickets in Economy Class
# Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
# Customers flying on AA codeshare flights not operated by American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection®
# Customers traveling on government or military fares
# Military passengers on active duty
# AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® members
# oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
# Customers flying on the same reservation as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold member or oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flier status or fare type (not applicable to group bookings)
# AAnytime® Economy Class AAdvantage award tickets, MileSAAver(SM) or AAnytime First and Business Class AAdvantage award tickets
# First and Business Class upgrades confirmed prior to check in
# AAirpass travel

 

[Flying Fox]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Yuck. Sounds UGLY!

 

[serfty]

Huge thread on FT AA forum.

• AMR-huge capacity reduction to domestic fleet-and $15 fee for FIRST checked bag

400+ posts in < 11 hours.

 

[Dave Noble]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Conceptually the same as Jetstar here does except that rather than calling it a charge for having baggage, they call it a discount for not having baggage

Bizarrely AA have so many excemptions to the luggage charge that most frequent flyers will not be impacted

Dave

 

[simongr]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

I think the fact that Gold are exempt really opens the scope of exemptions. This is likely to put more pressure on the overhead bins though... Luckily FFers board early so can snag space first.

 

[kpc]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

... Luckily FFers board early so can snag space first.

Recently, when I flew AA from Iad to Lax, I was not allowed to board early as "Sapphire" was not showing on my AA BP (who knows why?). Despite waving my QF gold card (with OWS status), the gate agent was having no bar of it until I showed him my BP from Lax to Syd which had "Sapphire" printed on it. So just make sure you have your FF status printed on your BP if want to board early...(which sounds like an absolutely must now!)

 

[NM]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

I don't think this will make a lot of difference to the overhead bin space. Anyone who flies regularly enough to pack for carry-on only is likely to qualify for an exemption to the payment anyway. Its the "Mum, Dad and the Kids" on their annual holiday to Disneyland or Hawaii that are going to be the ones paying the fee.

 

[straitman]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

I don't think this will make a lot of difference to the overhead bin space. Anyone who flies regularly enough to pack for carry-on only is likely to qualify for an exemption to the payment anyway. Its the "Mum, Dad and the Kids" on their annual holiday to Disneyland or Hawaii that are going to be the ones paying the fee.

Agreed.

I can't see that this will achieve a lot other than cluttering up the already overcrowded overhead bins.

 

[serfty]

Agreed.

I can't see that this will achieve a lot other than cluttering up the already overcrowded overhead bins.

Maybe enable them to cut costs ... and survive until they can get some more fuel efficient aircraft.*

Jeepers, they may even start enforcing their carry-on rules. :shock:

*Aside: Like my next car is gunna be able to run on LPG

 

[serfty]

Yes, many of the S80's will bite the dust (or is that the desert?).

To compete these days, a carrier really does need far more fuel efficient equipment than those.

Other changes:
A new USD15 per initial checked bag for non-status domestic PAX (in addition to the USD25 for a second check bag announced earlier)

and from: Complete list, new fees (there are many.) - Traveling Better Forums , many fees have
increased:

Change Fees

Domestic Change Fee*
$150.00 – Check Fare Rules Display

International Change Fee*
$150 - $300 – Varies by market and fare


Ticketing Fees

Res Service Fee
$20.00

External Res Handling Fee – Itinerary Change
$20.00

Airport Service Fee
$30.00

Travel Center Fee
$30.00 – per PNR


AAdvantage Fees

AAdvantage Change Fee
$150.00

Res AAdvantage Service Fee
$20.00

AAdvantage Reinstatement Fee
$150.00


Baggage/Pet Fees

Oversize Bag Fee
$150.00

Checked Pet Fee
$150.00

Pet in Cabin Fee
$100.00


Other Value Added Service Fees

Unaccompanied Minor
$100.00

* Effective for tickets issued on/after May 21, 2008

External Reservation Handling Fee for the service of changing or assigning seats will not increase and will remain $15.00 per passenger.

 

[JohnK]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

I never thought I would see the day. How long before other "full service" carriers implement this type of charge?

At the same time can something be done to reduce executive salaries across the board. You can't blame rising costs in every single cost centre, except for executive salaries, as the reason airlines are not doing very well. A 20%-50% reduction in executive salaries would be a reasonable start....

 

[MelUser]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Am I correct in thinking that anyone who is QFF silver or above is immune from this charge?

Also there needs only be one such person in the group so if mum and dad and 3 kids are travelling, if mum or dad are qff silver or above, whole family is exempt?

 

[Dave Noble]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Am I correct in thinking that anyone who is QFF silver or above is immune from this charge?

Also there needs only be one such person in the group so if mum and dad and 3 kids are travelling, if mum or dad are qff silver or above, whole family is exempt?

yes; this is what I find bizarre.

Dave

 

[turtlemichael]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

yes; this is what I find bizarre.

Dave

It seems to me like a "stick your toe in the water to test the temperature" approach. If this is going to result in meaningful savings it will need to be extended beyond the present list.

I would have thought that if they'd upped prices by a few percent because of fuel costs, there would have been a less negative and more understanding response. Those affected will be reminded every time they fly. It would be also easier to administer than the little dog's breakfast they have created. Maybe there are competitive reasons, but what do I know?

 

[Evan]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Competetive reasons i can think of.... I am sure there is many more...
- BFOD (best fare on day) for business travelers
- Attractive lead in prices for retail adverts

 

[SeaWolf]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Conceptually the same as Jetstar here does except that rather than calling it a charge for having baggage, they call it a discount for not having baggage.

Except Jetstar is a LCC while AA is (supposedly) a full service carrier. It does make you wonder what really qualifies as a full service carrier these days.

 

[simongr]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Except Jetstar is a LCC while AA is (supposedly) a full service carrier. It does make you wonder what really qualifies as a full service carrier these days.

Domestically in the US there really aren't "full service" carriers - they seem to be a hybrid of LCC and full service.

RE the multiple, multiple exemptions I wonder how automated these wil be and whether AA will factor in a level of ignorance so people will end up paying when they don't have to.

 

[oz_mark]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Domestically in the US there really aren't "full service" carriers - they seem to be a hybrid of LCC and full service.

There is a certain airline that tries to pass this off as being a "New World Carrier".

 

[dajop]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

Domestically in the US there really aren't "full service" carriers - they seem to be a hybrid of LCC and full service.

In fact in some respects our LCC's provide more service than US "full service" carriers, albeit at a cost. At least here when I fly on an LCC on three hour flight I can pay a nominal fee for some food. On AA, no can do if flying outside a normal meal time, even in "First".

 

[straitman]

Re: AA eliminates free checked baggage allowance altogether for domestic Y, wef June

A follow up to this one which is interesting.

Will the airlines rescind unpopular baggage fees? - USATODAY.com