AA Offering Lower Fares for a Price
By: Big 2 News Staff
Updated: December 13, 2012
American Airlines is offering low-fee fares -- for a price -- under a new fare structure announced Wednesday.
It's essentially bundling up many of the services and perks that airlines have been busy unbundling into separate line-item fees for several years. The new system will give passengers the option to stick with the lowest fare available, called Choice, and pay a la carte for checked bags, preferred seating and other services and perks.
Or -- for an additional 68-dollars round-trip, a new Choice Essential option includes one checked bag, no change fees and priority boarding. For 88 dollars, Choice Plus includes those three items, plus a 50 percent A-A Advantage mileage bonus, same-day flight change or standby and a premium beverage.
But one aviation consultant says the new structure may end up costing some passengers more for the same services.
It's essentially bundling up many of the services and perks that airlines have been busy unbundling into separate line-item fees for several years. The new system will give passengers the option to stick with the lowest fare available, called Choice, and pay a la carte for checked bags, preferred seating and other services and perks.
Or -- for an additional 68-dollars round-trip, a new Choice Essential option includes one checked bag, no change fees and priority boarding. For 88 dollars, Choice Plus includes those three items, plus a 50 percent A-A Advantage mileage bonus, same-day flight change or standby and a premium beverage.
But one aviation consultant says the new structure may end up costing some passengers more for the same services.
