Baggage allowance on AA

[pippilongstocking]

Hi,

Just booked a basic AA internal flight.

Have the baggage allowances changed since I was there 12 months ago?

I've booked via AA site, so as a FF gold, do I get one or two free bags?

It hasn't allowed me to allocate a seat, and it says no baggage allowance

I asked online chat via Qantas website, as couldn't find the info online....and I have to say I got very confused by the information she was giving me

she was saying because it has a AA flight number that is not attached to an international qantas flight, that I will not have any allowance......

Thanks if someone can definitively answer

Pippi

 

[jastel]

I did this last month several times.
I only had 1 bag but never paid for it. Mate (Bronze) had 1 bag and never paid as he was on my booking.
You cannot select seats on Basic fares as Gold without paying...next fare level up you can.
You do get Priority Check in, security and boarding. We just used the VIP line and checked in there.
I got lounge access and guested my friend in.
All this applies to others on the same booking except the Priority Boarding and lounge.

AA and Admirals Lounges are nowhere as good as Qantas so don't expect the same...more like Jetstar.
If you get hungry on planes I suggest BYO food.

 

[justinbrett]

Have you booked a basic economy fare? You won’t get the usual perks if that’s the case. AA will let you upgrade the fare for free, just pay the fare difference (no change fee)

If you have booked a regular fare you will get 2 free bags as gold and free seat allocation, including free access to MCE (Main Cabin Extra).

Just to refute the post above, AA is actually pretty decent nowadays, more like Virgin than Jetstar (you’ll get a free non alcoholic drink and snack on every flight - and if you are seated in MCE you’ll get a free alcoholic drink). If you’re flying from a major hub (LAX, DFW, MIA, ORD & JFK) you’ll get access to AA Flagship lounge which beats the pants off any QF lounge other than QF Flounge. Regular Admirals Club are pretty similar to domestic Qantas Clubs, much of a muchness IMO.

 

[jastel]

We are talking about Basic Fares, the cheapest ones...and as Gold (like me) you should get the benefits I said above. If seat selection is important then you will have to go up a fare level. I never got seated above Row 25 on Basic Fares...been a while since I sat that far behind the wing.

I agree Flagship lounge was better than the normal Admirals one.

But booking a Basic Fare...you are at Basic levels of service on the plane I reckon...YMMV
A cup (not can) of coke, tea/coffee and a tiny bag of pretzels is what I got on a 5 hour transcontinental flight.
Actually that is what I got on every flight...sometimes I got a whole small can of coke but.
You can buy overpriced snacks from the trolley but they might run out before the back of the plane.
Nearly everyone around me, on the long flight anyway, had BYO food as well.
Except for a New York to LAX flight the other flights I took were short enough hops to not be a bother for the cheap price I paid, I was a bit hungry after the long flight but!

You get what you pay for...but as Gold there are perks on Basic fares.

 

[justinbrett]

You can actually ask for the can they will give it to you. Also you do get a meal on JFK-LAX & SFO as well as any flight to/from Hawaii (and most international flights). It’s a hell of a lot more than you’ll get on Jetstar.

 

[jastel]

The times when I got a cup it was poured from a large bottle so no cans were offered.

I flew from LGA-CLT-LAX so maybe that's why no food...had a 30 minute connection so no time to get lunch either, it was fast walk from the arrival gate, a quick toilet stop, then straight to second gate and board.

 

[pippilongstocking]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I’m not bothered by seats & lounge as it’s a short flight, and early in the morning so no extra lounge time.
I’m more concerned with baggage allowance as I will have two bags ...
So yes, it’s the basic fare.... do you think I will get free bags?

Pippi

 

[jastel]

You will get one for free like I did...unsure about two as I only took one.

When the time comes to online check in 24 hours before flight is where you add the bags, it should recognise the FF number and not charge you...or maybe charge you for just one etc.
As I said I didn't OLCI or use the kiosks but used the VIP line and let them do it...

 

[justinbrett]

You will get one for free like I did...unsure about two as I only took one.

When the time comes to online check in 24 hours before flight is where you add the bags, it should recognise the FF number and not charge you...or maybe charge you for just one etc.
As I said I didn't OLCI or use the kiosks but used the VIP line and let them do it...

According toThe Points Guy, you’ll get two. I’ve never booked AA B class because I like status credits.

 

[jastel]

Yes, good point...no status credits or points on Basic fares.
But at the prices I got who cares!

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, good point...no status credits or points on Basic fares.
But at the prices I got who cares!

My Platinum Status disagrees with you! (I only attained/retain WP because of AA domestic F)

 

[jastel]

OK but do mere GOLD people get points and SC on Basic fares?
I didn't...and was told I wouldn't.

 

[justinbrett]

OK but do mere GOLD people get points and SC on Basic fares?
I didn't...and was told I wouldn't.

No, I meant I don’t book basic fares on AA, because their SC are good value on higher classes. It’s a cheap way of reaching / retaining platinum.

 

[faller]

Can I pop into this thread with a related query and seek clarity on the weight limit for bags on AA as a QF FF when flying in Y?

I am a QF WP and have a transatlantic flight coming up in Y which from the AA website, and this thread, is clear that I get 3 bags. my assumption is that it would be 3 bags at 23kg, rather than 3 bags at 32kg. does anybody know definitively if that is the case?

thanks in advance.

 

[justinbrett]

Can I pop into this thread with a related query and seek clarity on the weight limit for bags on AA as a QF FF when flying in Y?

I am a QF WP and have a transatlantic flight coming up in Y which from the AA website, and this thread, is clear that I get 3 bags. my assumption is that it would be 3 bags at 23kg, rather than 3 bags at 32kg. does anybody know definitively if that is the case?

thanks in advance.

3x32Kg. It’s not clear when you read their website, but it actually says:
First and Business, Executive Platinum and oneworld® Emerald members can check bag up to 70 lbs / 32 kgs at no extra cost.

I haven’t tested it, as I’ve either been connecting to/from Qantas or flying domestic first. But the statement (albeit buried in their site) is pretty clear.