Some AA questions

[Flying mermaid]

We have an Aone4 booked next year, with much of the travel in the USA on AA. I had a few questions for which I would be grateful if I could have some input.

We have exceeded the number of allowed legs with the Aone4, so I was planning to book some economy "side trips" e.g. we currently go DCA-MIA-MSY. I want to book a return MIA-MCO (Orlando). When I was initially looking at DCA-MIA-MCO all booked together it allowed around 1 hour between arriving in Miami and leaving for Orlando. However if I book a separate ticket (and a separate classs, as DCA-MIA and MIA-MSY will be First class), could I run into problems if the DCA-MIA flight runs late. Will it be better to allow a longer time - say 2 hours? Also at DCA will they allow me to book luggage through to MCO (and issue boarding passes), or will I need to pick up luggage in MIA and then check in for the MCO flight on the separate ticket? We will have two sapphire and one ruby pax. Ditto MCO to MSY via MIA.

Also I think with sapphire and ruby we don't need to pay for luggage on the economy legs - is that correct? I don't mind anyway as it is not a huge amount, but my reading of the exemptions seemed to indicate that?

Finally some young friends who were in the USA this year traveling on economy tickets ran into problems where they were not allowed to board. They checked in quite early, were not issued seat numbers/boarding passes and then when boarding time came were told the flight was full and would have to wait for a later flight.... They had booked the flights some months earlier. I know over booking used to happen a lot in the USA - is this still happening and if so how do you avoid being the people off loaded! We were plannng to get Economy saver, rather than super saver - does that make it "safer".

 

[Danger]

We have an Aone4 booked next year, with much of the travel in the USA on AA. I had a few questions for which I would be grateful if I could have some input.

We have exceeded the number of allowed legs with the Aone4, so I was planning to book some economy "side trips" e.g. we currently go DCA-MIA-MSY. I want to book a return MIA-MCO (Orlando). When I was initially looking at DCA-MIA-MCO all booked together it allowed around 1 hour between arriving in Miami and leaving for Orlando. However if I book a separate ticket (and a separate classs, as DCA-MIA and MIA-MSY will be First class), could I run into problems if the DCA-MIA flight runs late. Will it be better to allow a longer time - say 2 hours? Also at DCA will they allow me to book luggage through to MCO (and issue boarding passes), or will I need to pick up luggage in MIA and then check in for the MCO flight on the separate ticket? We will have two sapphire and one ruby pax. Ditto MCO to MSY via MIA.

Also I think with sapphire and ruby we don't need to pay for luggage on the economy legs - is that correct? I don't mind anyway as it is not a huge amount, but my reading of the exemptions seemed to indicate that?

Finally some young friends who were in the USA this year traveling on economy tickets ran into problems where they were not allowed to board. They checked in quite early, were not issued seat numbers/boarding passes and then when boarding time came were told the flight was full and would have to wait for a later flight.... They had booked the flights some months earlier. I know over booking used to happen a lot in the USA - is this still happening and if so how do you avoid being the people off loaded! We were plannng to get Economy saver, rather than super saver - does that make it "safer".

I can't help so much with your first question, other than to say that one hour should be fine, even on two separate tickets.

Your second question, yes, baggage charges are waived for Sapphire and Ruby. More information here.

Your third question, I would expect that as a Sapphire you would be among the last to be denied boarding.

 

[drron]

Another suggestion-why not drive MIA to Orlando and back.Drive time is ~ 4 hours and the you have a car available which is a real benefit getting to shops,outlets,restaurants etc.
As to being bumped on AA it doesn't happen the way it did for your friends.First the call for volunteers-at MCO they were offering a $200 travel voucher for a flight to LGA.At DFW they offered $400 +a $25 food voucher for a flight to MIA-and they quaranteed a seat on the next flight.If mandatory then by all accounts non status pax are bumped first but again have to be compensated.

 

[serfty]

...
As to being bumped on AA it doesn't happen the way it did for your friends.First the call for volunteers-at MCO they were offering a $200 travel voucher for a flight to LGA.At DFW they offered $400 +a $25 food voucher for a flight to MIA-and they quaranteed a seat on the next flight.If mandatory then by all accounts non status pax are bumped first but again have to be compensated.

... and for IDB¹ the compensation is a mandatory USD cash payment for delays of over one hour.

For delays of between one and two hours, it's 200% of the one-way fare or USD650, whichever is lower. If the delay is longer than two hours then it is USD1300 or 400% of the one way fare.

Aviation Consumer Protection Division

¹ IDB - Involuntary denied boarding.

 

[Flying mermaid]

... and for IDB¹ the compensation is a mandatory USD cash payment for delays of over one hour.

For delays of between one and two hours, it's 200% of the one-way fare or USD650, whichever is lower. If the delay is longer than two hours then it is USD1300 or 400% of the one way fare.

Aviation Consumer Protection Division

¹ IDB - Involuntary denied boarding.

hmm - that is interesting - definitely no compensation - must find out more - they didn't seem to really know why what happened to them did. I just don't want to be delayed, as we have a very fully planned schedule! Driving is an idea - will run that past Mr FM as he is the driver, I don't drive at all.

Does anyone know about my first question i.e. if we do fly on two PNRs will I be able to book luggage through - you would be able to in Australia, but I don't want to make any assumptions.

 

[drron]

Yes you will be able to book your luggage through either by linking the PNRs beforehand-may be a good idea with a 1 hour transit in MIA.We have also done it at the airport with no problems.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes you will be able to book your luggage through either by linking the PNRs beforehand-may be a good idea with a 1 hour transit in MIA.We have also done it at the airport with no problems.

thanks - I spoke to Mr FM about driving as well and he thought that was a good idea as we can see more of the area.

 

[straitman]

Others may disagree but if driving I would suggest using the Florida Turnpike (Toll Road) rather than the I95 carpark.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Others may disagree but if driving I would suggest using the Florida Turnpike (Toll Road) rather than the I95 carpark.

Thanks - I am building up a set of notes with all these hints!

 

[The Rok]

Buy a Sunpass and take the Turnpike. I have done that trip dozens of times in 3 hours while pushing the limit. Just time it right, leave at 05.00 an be there for 08.00.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Buy a Sunpass and take the Turnpike. I have done that trip dozens of times in 3 hours while pushing the limit. Just time it right, leave at 05.00 an be there for 08.00.

I've just googled that - so like an etag. I love this board so much useful information!

 

[The Rok]

Yes, exactly the same. It means no stopping or slowing down for the tolls on the turnpike.