AA Basic Economy

[Planet]

AA is introducing Basic Economy fares, starting late February on select routes, with the following restrictions:

• Seats assigned at check-in
• Fees to choose a specific seat
• Not eligible for upgrades
• No flight changes or refunds
• Earns AAdvantage award miles (based on base fare and fees), and elite qualifying credits (EQMs/EQSs) at a reduced rate (50%)

In addition, the following restrictions does not apply if you have a credit card or status:

• 1 item that fits under the seat (no access to overhead bins)
• Board in last group

Link: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/seats/basic-economy.jsp

[mochjas]

AA is introducing Basic Economy fares, starting late February on select routes, with the following restrictions:

• Seats assigned at check-in
• Fees to choose a specific seat
• Not eligible for upgrades
• No flight changes or refunds
• Earns AAdvantage award miles, and elite qualifying credits (EQMs/EQSs) at a reduced rate (50%)

In addition, the following restrictions does not apply if you have a credit card or status:

• 1 item that fits under the seat (no access to overhead bins)
• Board in last group

Link: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/seats/basic-economy.jsp

its getting ridiculous

[coralsnake]

its getting ridiculous

Theyre just copying what the other 2 are doing.

[yelped]

Theyre just copying what the other 2 are doing.

Doesn't mean it's not ridiculous. Just wait, the regular fares will go up.

[shaulyaakov]

Annoying thing is it's hard to NOT book basic when using an OTA.

[PillanSmye]

its getting ridiculous

Why?  LCC and ULCC have been hugely successful globally.  There is clearly a subset of customers that just wants to get from point A to point B alive and as cheap as possible.  With jet fuel cheap and some of the LCC and ULCC having labor cost increases, the larger carriers have been able to move into that space.

[mochjas]

Why?  LCC and ULCC have been hugely successful globally.  There is clearly a subset of customers that just wants to get from point A to point B alive and as cheap as possible.  With jet fuel cheap and some of the LCC and ULCC having labor cost increases, the larger carriers have been able to move into that space.

maybe that's how it will start out at the beginning but eventually this basic economy price will be the same as regular economy now.

[PillanSmye]

maybe that's how it will start out at the beginning but eventually this basic economy price will be the same as regular economy now.

Of course it will. 

Consolidation and curtailment of excess capacity,  combined with labor increases and rising fuel costs are going to raise prices across the board.

[mochjas]

Of course it will. 

Consolidation and curtailment of excess capacity,  combined with labor increases and rising fuel costs are going to raise prices across the board.

i don't mean in years I mean in a couple of months

[SearchGuy]

Now Live!!!!

[yelped]

Now Live!!!!

How exciting...

[SearchGuy]

How exciting...

Isn't it?...

[yelped]

Isn't it?...

Just wait for the regular economy fares to go up and the delays to pile on...

[Yaalili]

VFTW notes that aa will be having basic economy throughout most flights within next few months.

[davidrotts63]

http://monkeymiles.boardingarea.com/aa-plans-let-passengers-buy-basic-economy-check-process/
Blessing? Or a curse?
The one AA basic economy flight I took, being that I booked last minute, the whole economy was booked, so I was lucky to get a an economy plus. (My HC segment was a E+ too). With this now, it seems all less likely to happen again.

[Wizmanison]

Took the risk of booking Basic Economy with 3 bags. My wife and I both got to check in one with AA CC and for the last one we were meant to pay at the gate.
 Seems to be they can only tell your flying basic economy when boarding if it says boarding group 9 on the boarding pass. Since the CC gets you to group 5 you should be able to get a carry on for free! Just worked a couple minutes ago for us.

[davidrotts63]

Took the risk of booking Basic Economy with 3 bags. My wife and I both got to check in one with AA CC and for the last one we were meant to pay at the gate.
 Seems to be they can only tell your flying basic economy when boarding if it says boarding group 9 on the boarding pass. Since the CC gets you to group 5 you should be able to get a carry on for free! Just worked a couple minutes ago for us.

LH F to AA BE, hope you enjoy.

[meshugener]

Took the risk of booking Basic Economy with 3 bags. My wife and I both got to check in one with AA CC and for the last one we were meant to pay at the gate.
 Seems to be they can only tell your flying basic economy when boarding if it says boarding group 9 on the boarding pass. Since the CC gets you to group 5 you should be able to get a carry on for free! Just worked a couple minutes ago for us.

Has nothing to do with boarding group.
You can officially have a carry on as a cardholder.

[Yehuda25]

Took the risk of booking Basic Economy with 3 bags. My wife and I both got to check in one with AA CC and for the last one we were meant to pay at the gate.
 Seems to be they can only tell your flying basic economy when boarding if it says boarding group 9 on the boarding pass. Since the CC gets you to group 5 you should be able to get a carry on for free! Just worked a couple minutes ago for us.

Very interesting

[Yehuda25]

is there a way (aside from upgrading fare class) to choose seats on AA basic economy?