American Airlines "B"asic Economy as a QFF Elite?

Status
Not open for further replies.

jastel

Active Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2012
Posts
882
I am a bit confused here...

I am heading to the US next month with a mate.
I am Qantas Gold One World Sapphire, just achieved this so not experienced at "using" it, he is bronze.

We land at LAX on QF15 and have separately booked a few shortish AA flights to LAS and PHX.
I bought them via AA.com.au website and put in our QFF numbers. Me passenger 1, him passenger 2.
Then AFTER doing the bookings I joined AAdvantage and will download the app before travel.
Don't really want points in AA miles as I will not be a frequent traveller there.
Also wasn't reading the mumbo jumbo to get AA status.
No problems with points going to QF account?

I bought the BASIC ECONOMY cheap fares as they are short flights...it states that "NO AAdvantage elite privileges given" - ie free checked bags, priority boarding, seat selection etc.
Even MAIN ECONOMY gets no free bags...
Then elsewhere in the baggage section they say OWS gets a free bag etc...

Do I get a free bag or not...I suspect not, but it is confusing???
Or do the OW bag benefits only kick in if you buy the expensive ticket?
The bag cost is nearly half the fare!

I think I can still use the Admirals lounges and guest my friend in...correct?

From what I have read it seems that AA Gold has only rights of OW Ruby or QF Silver?
Then next is AA Platinum which seems to be like OW Sapphire or QF Gold...is this right?

My head hurts...

Thanks for any help or advice.
 
Your mate should get 2 free bags as your on the same reservation.

Additional Fees

  • Customers flying on the same reservation as an American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum* or AAdvantage Platinum member or oneworld alliance Emerald* or Sapphire member regardless of frequent flyer status or fare type (not applicable to group bookings)
 
There is no earn with QFF on AA Basic economy "B" class flights.

You are oneworld Sapphire, you can use the LAX AA First Lounge.

Do you have a same day LAX transit; if so, you long?
 
Also you should be able to select Main Cabin Extra Seats.

Main Cabin Extra − Travel information − American Airlines

Who gets complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats?
  • AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members
  • oneworld® SapphireSM and oneworld® EmeraldSM members
All listed members are allowed complimentary access for up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
 
Th
As a oneworld sapphire you should be able to check in 2 bags for free with a basic economy ticket. A QF bronze (oneworld nothing) will get no bags.

Good explanation here .... American Airlines Basic Economy: Everything to Know | The Points Guy

You also will be able to guest your mate into the Flagship lounge at LAX T4.


Thanks for that link...it explains things better than the website does.

So I check in two bags...one for me and one for him...lol
 
Your mate should get 2 free bags as your on the same reservation.

Additional Fees

  • Customers flying on the same reservation as an American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum* or AAdvantage Platinum member or oneworld alliance Emerald* or Sapphire member regardless of frequent flyer status or fare type (not applicable to group bookings)


Maybe this list is a bit old as price per bag is $US30 now...there were a lot of changes recently from what I read
 
Thanks for that link...it explains things better than the website does.

So I check in two bags...one for me and one for him...lol

I misread your original post, ksthommo rightly points out that your allowance extends to all passengers on the same booking, so you both can check 2x bags.
 
There is no earn with QFF on AA Basic economy "B" class flights.

You are oneworld Sapphire, you can use the LAX AA First Lounge.

Do you have a same day LAX transit; if so, you long?


B as in BASIC I guess?
Not a huge deal for the price I paid.
Yes 4 hours in LAX if planes on time...not including customs etc...a bit tight I know but worth a gamble to squeeze more in to the trip...I know No Refunds etc as well.

Plan B if we miss connection is rent a car.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

etc...a bit tight I know but worth a gamble to squeeze more in to the trip...I know No Refunds etc as well.

Plan B if we miss connection is rent a car.

Google American Airlines and “flat tire rule”, if you turn up to check in within two hours of departure you may be able to go on standby for subsequent flight. Not sure if that is still the case.
 
Thanks for the replies guys...good to know my mate gets same as me as he is on my booking.

I suspected it would be a bit of a help but not this much.

So to sum up -
Can use Admirals Club and First Lounge
We both get 2 bags free
Earlier boarding and seat selection
No points

I recall my last trip about 8 years back I was Silver but I did kerbside check in a few times and tipped the guy $10, we got some type of fast pass to speed up security lanes...is there still something like that happenning?

Now looking up flat tire rule....
 
Last month I purchased a basic economy fair JFK to MIA and my OW Sapphire got me a good seat, checked bags and into the Flagship lounges.

Tomorrow I have 2 more AA basic economy flights starting in MEX and ending in JFK. When I’m asked to check in online it doesn’t offer bags or seats via the online portal despite having my FF # entered so I’ll simply turn up to the airport and it should work out ok. I’ll report back if I have a problem.
 
I have not done the online check in...just walked up to the VIP line and let them do it.
Seats have not been good always down the back, planes full and pretty old, gotta buy food other than a drink and snack...if they have any left after row 15.
They enforce priority boarding but not how much cough people bring onto the plane.
And guess who had a 5 hour delay in LAS the other day with NO lounge...
First World Problems but they make Qantas look good.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top