American Airlines?

[weluvdizne]

O.k., we have always flown Southwest. However, this year, they are pricing out at $1,692 for the 5 of us round trip!!! I poked around some and found that American Airlines has this fabulous rate and it ends up that we can fly round trip for a total of only $777 for the 5 of us! I am thrilled with that price and can't wait to book, but I feel like I am missing something. I know I have to pay baggage fees with AA. It's $25 for the first bag. We better not be taking more than 5 full size suitcases. But, even when I factor in an extra $125 for baggage both ways, I'm still saving BIG TIME! What else am I forgetting to take into account? I almost feel like it is too good to be true?

 

[twinboysmom]

They charge to change tickets, southwest doesn't. Can't beat that rate though. We flew AA in August with our then 10 month old twins. It was ok. They do not allow pre boarding by the way but you can pay some ridiculous amount to board with the first class folks if you want. Also, they charge a ton for food and it leaves a lot to be desired so bring enough from home for snacks.

 

[Darcy03231]

I fly AA quite a bit as they tend to have really good prices from our airport. To save on baggage fees I pack a carry on for everyone in our group and then only check 1-2 big suitcases. Last trip there were 3 of us and I only checked on large suitcase.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I may be entirely biased... but I love AA. You get a seat assignment, you don't need to hover over a computer exactly 24 hours in advance of your flight, or pay to not be at a computer exactly 24 hours in advance. Most aircraft have power outlets every few rows and wifi throughout the cabin. To find out which seats have power ports in your particular aircraft, go to www.seatguru.com. You can change your seat assignments anytime as long as there are available seats to do so.

Have a great trip!

 

[babydoll]

When you find rates like that you have to act fast - BOOK them!!!!

 

[weluvdizne]

at what point during the reservation process do you find out what seats are available and what seats they are assinging you to? We have 2 kids and a baby and would like to all be sitting together.
Thanks for the information!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

The system will assign you seats automatically. You can change them at the end of the process. Or anytime thereafter. As often as you like. Without charge.

When you look at the list of available flights, beneath each flight number is a plus sign with 'additional information' - if you click on it a link for available seats on each flight will appear. You can see what's is available for you to choose before you decide on a flight.

at what point during the reservation process do you find out what seats are available and what seats they are assinging you to? We have 2 kids and a baby and would like to all be sitting together.
Thanks for the information!

 

[hercamore]

Are you certain that's a round trip price, not one way.

 

[Gr8dan2]

They charge to change tickets, southwest doesn't.

I'm not sure this is true any longer. I tried to change to an earlier same day flight (which i had done many times previously) and i was told they changed this and that you can't change anymore unless you purchased a nonrefundable. It would've cost me $270 to leave 40 minutes earlier on SW this past trip. I always try to fly SW because for years past i could always hop on an earlier flight without a change fee or even standby if they had room. (which BTW, has all the airlines now have ridiculous standby fees/rules!)

 

[v.t.]

I prefer AA because I enjoy assigned seats and we very rarely check bags. AA does charge $75 fee to change flights so that is the down side. But you are able to put a 24 hour hold on a reservation. I enjoy that feature as well. The flights normally go fast so I hold the reservations and then confirm the next day. (That way I only have 23 hours to second guess myself! )

 

[twinboysmom]

I'm not sure this is true any longer. I tried to change to an earlier same day flight (which i had done many times previously) and i was told they changed this and that you can't change anymore unless you purchased a nonrefundable. It would've cost me $270 to leave 40 minutes earlier on SW this past trip. I always try to fly SW because for years past i could always hop on an earlier flight without a change fee or even standby if they had room. (which BTW, has all the airlines now have ridiculous standby fees/rules!)

I know it is the way they did thngs in the past but if they have changed it they are certainly wasting a lot of money on commercials. They are constantly advertising the commercials with the "other airlines CEO" and the $150 change fee and the jury in the court rooms. Everyone has to have seen them. They are always on.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I'm not sure this is true any longer. I tried to change to an earlier same day flight (which i had done many times previously) and i was told they changed this and that you can't change anymore unless you purchased a nonrefundable. It would've cost me $270 to leave 40 minutes earlier on SW this past trip. I always try to fly SW because for years past i could always hop on an earlier flight without a change fee or even standby if they had room. (which BTW, has all the airlines now have ridiculous standby fees/rules!)

All airlines charge you the difference between the price you paid and the current price of the flight to which you would like to change. The legacy airlines will charge you an additional change fee. On AA, this is currenly $150 per ticket.

For same day flight changes, AA gives all passengers the option to confirm a same day flight change for a $50 per passenger fee. Elite passengers can also stand-by for a different same day flight for no charge.

My understanding is that Southwest has no different policy for same day flight changes and all passengers holding a non-refundable ticket pay the fare difference to change to a flight 2 hours earlier or 2 months later. --Suzanne

 

[angwill]

I love flying AA and they have always been less expensive for us than SW but then again I have not flown since they started charging for luggage. I think I would do the carry ons for each person and then try to limit the check in luggage.

The last time we changed a ticket it was $75 one way so I would think $150 is for a round trip ticket change both ways.

 

[jgates]

I actually like AA quite well. My only suggestion is be careful with your carry on items. It used to be you could take a purse, backpack/carry-on/briefcase (whatever) and still carry your camera. As my camera is a high 3 figure item I like to actually carry it until I am on the plane & seated when I can then pack it away (without backpack getting smashed, etc). However, mid-last year they became very stringent (halfway thru my trip - one way on way out - different on way back). I could only have the 2 items - camera even though on my neck was 3rd item.

So I ended up next time with purse inside of carry-on & camera inside of backpack (which then became my personal item), even though I wanted it out. That way I actually had 2 'bigger' items. Once I was seated & backpack was under the seat, I just pulled out my purse from the carry-on & slid it under next to the backpack (I'm not obsessive - I need to have my insulin & blood-tester close to me -otherwise I would have left it in carry-on).

So basically figure 2 carry-on items per person - one carry-on case & one personal item (purse/carrypack/diaper bag etc). Depending on the age of the kids/traveling companions this should definitely keep you down to only a couple of large suitcases for checked baggage. Just check AA's site before you go for any changes that may take place. It was very hard when I went as it happened mid-trip with no e-mail notification to fliers who had already booked tickets. The pilot actually came on the speaker & apologized because evidently people were getting VERY irate LOL. He kept apologizing & saying 'it wasn't our idea!'.

 

[sissy_ib]

I love American. I'm military and they don't charge me for baggage which is a nice bonus for me. I have never had a problem with them. This past October I overslept and missed my early flight to Orlando. They when I got to the airport they put me on stand-by and I got out on the next flight. The lady at the counter was so nice about it while I was freaking out!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I love flying AA and they have always been less expensive for us than SW but then again I have not flown since they started charging for luggage. I think I would do the carry ons for each person and then try to limit the check in luggage.

The last time we changed a ticket it was $75 one way so I would think $150 is for a round trip ticket change both ways.

AA currently charges $150 per ticket, either OW or RT. It went up from $100about 3 years ago. -- Suzanne