I am hopeful that the increases in airfares and the increased fees keep some riff raff off of planes. (I just wanted to use 3 words in a row ending with ff).

But, if they charge per bag, then people will start getting supersized bags, and pack one huge bag rather than two regular sized. Then, the airlines will change and charge by weight. First, it will be so much per pound of luggage. This will discourage people from carrying bowling balls with them on planes. Then, they will charge so much per pound of passenger.
Then, I could be in real trouble.

irwin, this is so typical of AA's upper management. This will fail.

They just went from dead last in on time arrival to setting the bar where to others can go. Can you imagine how long it will now take to load their dumpy MD-80's?

FYI, I got an e-mail that the baggage fee doesn’t apply to gold members.

quote:

Originally posted by GlennK:
FYI, I got an e-mail that the baggage fee doesn’t apply to gold members.

Yep, I received that as well but if I don't start traveling a lot between now and the end of December that won't matter to me any longer come next year.

The hits just keep coming...

American is quietly trying to start charging for using your upgrades and miles effective Oct 1st. In addition to all of the other fee based initiatives they've implemented in the past year effective Oct 1st if you try to use your upgrades on any discounted fare (when is the last time anybody here didn't fly on a fare discounted in some way) you'll not only get docked the appropriate number of miles/upgrades from your account you'll also pay a dollar amount as a fee to use them. Domestic is $50.00 per upgrade. It goes up from there. I think long hauls are close to $350.00.

wiml, I have booked ( my agent) 5 trips recently, and I have gone out of my way NOT to fly AA.

Overall, I have found their employees are very disgruntled.

Agreed. I have ZERO loyalty with any airline for at least 5 years now. The only reasons I even fly AA any longer is 1) they are just about the only point to point carrier for the places I fly and 2) I have not burned up all of my miles that keep extending every time I fly. I'm down to maybe 2 business class tickets to anywhere in the world left and once those puppies are gone, kiss my arse.

wiml, you were correct about Midwest.

What a treat!

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:
FYI...American, the last hold out incredibly enough, has decided to start charging $25.00 for the 2nd checked bag in May. The fee is waived for various things such as if you're flying in first class, paid for a full coach fair, are a gold level or higher advantage member and such.

Effective for tickets purchased after 6/15, there is a $15 per bag charge for the FIRST checked bag. I just paid $75 to check 5 bags with 5 tickets last week and then coming back, paid $100 to check 5 bags plus one case of wine at $25 on AA. Just lovely.

Yep, lost in the shuffle I forgot to post that update. Just lovely. The only thing you hear when you're boarding as every Tom, Dick and Harry is trying to cram everything from full sized Tubas to live lobsters into the overhead bins is the flight attendants b*tching about carry ons they've decided now it's better to charge every passenger for every bag checked.

Numb nuts. Welcome to fee based services.

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:
Yep, lost in the shuffle I forgot to post that update. Just lovely. The only thing you hear when you're boarding as every Tom, Dick and Harry is trying to cram everything from full sized Tubas to live lobsters into the overhead bins is the flight attendants b*tching about carry ons they've decided now it's better to charge every passenger for every bag checked.

Numb nuts. Welcome to fee based services.

And for all that extra revenue, my wife's bag did not make it to San Fran with the other bags. I would have gladly paid $100 to avoid hearing her (deservedly so) stress out. Luckily, it showed up in the middle of the night (with a call at 1AM to boot) so she was underdressed for one dinner.

Did you get a refund? LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by vinole:

Effective for tickets purchased after 6/15, there is a $15 per bag charge for the FIRST checked bag. I just paid $75 to check 5 bags with 5 tickets last week and then coming back, paid $100 to check 5 bags plus one case of wine at $25 on AA. Just lovely.

I got an email from United (my point carrier) this morning. Evidently, they're following AA's lead on this. I thought fuel prices were coming down? Also read recently that some airline (can't remember which) is now charging for pillows and blanket "rental".

quote:

Originally posted by ArieS:
On a serious note, I plan on visiting the German wine Heaven, Dee Vine Wines

Lucky dog. I was in SF a few weeks ago with the family..we were at Pier 39 and Dee Vine is at Pier 19...never got to go

Probably better as I don't know if I would have had self-control with all of those beautiful Eisweins, BAs & TBAs staring at me.

quote:

Originally posted by mneeley490:

quote:

Originally posted by vinole:

Effective for tickets purchased after 6/15, there is a $15 per bag charge for the FIRST checked bag. I just paid $75 to check 5 bags with 5 tickets last week and then coming back, paid $100 to check 5 bags plus one case of wine at $25 on AA. Just lovely.

I got an email from United (my point carrier) this morning. Evidently, they're following AA's lead on this. I thought fuel prices were coming down? Also read recently that some airline (can't remember which) is now charging for pillows and blanket "rental".

Jet Blue is now charging $7.00 for a pillow and blanket but you get to keep them.