American Airlines "B"asic Economy as a QFF Elite?

[jastel]

I am a bit confused here...

I am heading to the US next month with a mate.
I am Qantas Gold One World Sapphire, just achieved this so not experienced at "using" it, he is bronze.

We land at LAX on QF15 and have separately booked a few shortish AA flights to LAS and PHX.
I bought them via AA.com.au website and put in our QFF numbers. Me passenger 1, him passenger 2.
Then AFTER doing the bookings I joined AAdvantage and will download the app before travel.
Don't really want points in AA miles as I will not be a frequent traveller there.
Also wasn't reading the mumbo jumbo to get AA status.
No problems with points going to QF account?

I bought the BASIC ECONOMY cheap fares as they are short flights...it states that "NO AAdvantage elite privileges given" - ie free checked bags, priority boarding, seat selection etc.
Even MAIN ECONOMY gets no free bags...
Then elsewhere in the baggage section they say OWS gets a free bag etc...

Do I get a free bag or not...I suspect not, but it is confusing???
Or do the OW bag benefits only kick in if you buy the expensive ticket?
The bag cost is nearly half the fare!

I think I can still use the Admirals lounges and guest my friend in...correct?

From what I have read it seems that AA Gold has only rights of OW Ruby or QF Silver?
Then next is AA Platinum which seems to be like OW Sapphire or QF Gold...is this right?

My head hurts...

Thanks for any help or advice.

 

[jastel]

Well after my taxi was t boned by an Audi, luckily just in front of the terminal so I could walk, and dealing with increasingly stupid TSA security, even in the Priority Line here, I needed to check out the Admirals Flagship Lounge in ORD this morning with full bacon and eggs etc to make up for LAS.
The plane was newer as well and moved up to row 21 so got some pretzels today and had a spare seat beside me...then landed at LGA...what a dump!

I cannot select any decent seats without paying extra on the website...so that is why I check in via the service desk...I hate kiosks as well.

 

[jastel]

Also noticed I got Qantas points and SC for one flight...maybe it was not a fully Basic fare one...I can’t recall...didn’t get points for flights before that one.

 

[Flying Fox]

Including Admirals Clubs at PHX (none at LAS)

Yes but lots of poker machines

 

[The man with no name]

So my 2 basic economy flights went well today so far as checked bags go and there was an AA lounge in Mex but nothing too exciting. Unfortunately due to full flights I go middle seats on both flight though the first one was an exit row and I managed to change the other at DFW.

Breezed through US customs at DFW in less than 5 mins but TSA checks on the way to my connection were over the top. They wanted to take my bottle of Flor de Caña rum off me not because it was packed incorrectly, but because the shape of the bottle would fit into a scanner. That necessitated going back through security to check it into the hold. AA staff were great too.

Oneworld Sapphire got me into the Flagship lounge in DFW and what a wonderful lounge it is. Funny thing is that AA elites won’t get entry to this lounge on a basic economy ticket. Overall I’ve found both AA and Latam have done a fantastic job of looking after OW members.

Got my final CX “error fare“ in first in a couple of days so it’ll be fun to checkout Flagship First dining for the first time.

 

[serfty]

my OW Sapphire got me a good seat

That was more luck than anything, there is no status based seating allocation on B fares - check in late and you are more likely to get a space+ seat as they are the last allocated.

 

[justinbrett]

The plane was newer as well and moved up to row 21 so got some pretzels today and had a spare seat beside me...then landed at LGA...what a dump!

It is in the middle of a major upgrade, some of the gates used by AA are in the new area which is rather nice. The admirals club is fine (just your average club) but I just find it a lot easier to get to from Manhattan, traffic is usually much better and it’s a much cheaper taxi/uber fare. I know you can get the train to JFK but I’m usually on a long haul trip with large bags so I like the convenience of just getting an uber from my hotel.

As for the DFW flagship lounge, yes I was there a few months ago, it only opened this year. I prefer it to Qantas international business lounges (but their first class lounges are better).

AA elites not getting into the lounge has nothing to do with fare types, they have to be on an international itinerary. It’s AAs way of making more money by selling lounge access to elites. I am happy they include other oneworld elites on domestic itineraries- but I guess their thinking is most of us are on international itineraries from our home locations.

 

[jastel]

Will be trying the departures side in 2 days.

 

[jastel]

LGA was nothing exciting...priority security helped a bit and he was smiling, first time for that in USA.
Lounge in D had lots of seats but not much food, unless tacos for breakfast are your thing, then I bussed 100 ft across to C wing to depart, otherwise it is back through security and waste another 30 minutes.
LGA to CLT on a half empty plane that the lounge staff wanted $64 for a window seat on...glad I didn’t fall for that one. The one time I did get to swap must have been on the second cheapest fare not bottom level as no luck changing since.
Connection of 15 mins from deplane to boarding...CLT to LAX was pretty full and the tiny pack of pretzels and cup (not can) of coke was not enough for a 5 hour flight...byo food as others do. Sitting in row 30 again but nice Seatmates.
Luggage bins chock full again, including 2 guitars taking up 3 bins by themselves.

A few other notes attendants never greeted you, never checked your boarding pass unless a dispute happened, some had long hair down past shoulders worn loose, and nobody mentioned the position of the window shades at all. One guy had built himself a tent of clothes to keep the sun off him and that was allowed to land intact. They did spend 10 minutes while coming in to land flogging a new credit card deal but. Priority boarding works pretty well but the scrum around the gate to hear the announcements kind of defeats the purpose...the only point of it is to get bin space for your bags...after the wings that is not enforced either, row 30 people dump suitcases in the first available spot.

Next flight on Qantas..no more AA for a while.

 

[DC3]

... A few other notes attendants never greeted you, never checked your boarding pass unless a dispute happened, some had long hair down past shoulders worn loose, and nobody mentioned the position of the window shades at all. One guy had built himself a tent of clothes to keep the sun off him and that was allowed to land intact. They did spend 10 minutes while coming in to land flogging a new credit card deal but. Priority boarding works pretty well but the scrum around the gate to hear the announcements kind of defeats the purpose...the only point of it is to get bin space for your bags...

Stop it. Your posts are making me miss being back on AA. It’s all too much.

I’ve probably done 10 trips to the USA and the next one is still another 8 months away. Your posts are making me want to fly back tomorrow.

 

[jastel]

Stopped...no more AA for me for a while.

 

[pippilongstocking]

Last month I purchased a basic economy fair JFK to MIA and my OW Sapphire got me a good seat, checked bags and into the Flagship lounges.

Tomorrow I have 2 more AA basic economy flights starting in MEX and ending in JFK. When I’m asked to check in online it doesn’t offer bags or seats via the online portal despite having my FF # entered so I’ll simply turn up to the airport and it should work out ok. I’ll report back if I have a problem.

Hi there,

Just wondering how you went re bags with your basic fare on AA.

We have the same fare type next month, and as Qantas gold, and I'm hoping to check in 2 bags.
I have not been able to allocate a seat though

Pippi

 

[pippilongstocking]

oops..... just saw the next page....

 

[The man with no name]

Hi there,

Just wondering how you went re bags with your basic fare on AA.

We have the same fare type next month, and as Qantas gold, and I'm hoping to check in 2 bags.
I have not been able to allocate a seat though

Pippi

Checking bags was no problem. Seat selection was. If you get to the airport early and go to the premium check in they will give you a decent seat

 

[ithongy]

No lounges at Vegas? Haven't got that far yet.

Centurion Lounge in LAS if you have certain Amex Credit cards that has access.

 

[justinbrett]

Just go to Chilis. Get some wings and a margarita. As good as a lounge.