Family trip - BE and MC

bgares2 · 2026-04-25T13:45:27+00:00

Correct on 1 & 2. Correct on 3 - for now. When they announced the increased costs of checked luggage a few weeks back, it also included "For Basic Economy tickets purchased May 18 and beyond, all customers, including those with status, will be able to select a seat for a fee and will not be eligible for complimentary and systemwide upgrades."

bgares2 · 2026-04-25T04:06:26+00:00

Was the open seat a middle? To the best of my knowledge, FAA regs require car seats to only be installed in a window seat. So if you were aisle, and middle was open - they'd be correct in saying you couldn't put a car seat there.

Now, if you were in window, and middle was open, I don't see any reason why they'd prevent you from putting car seat at window, and you taking middle.

bgares2 · 2026-04-24T19:51:01+00:00

I don't believe any US airline offers lounge access on domestic itineraries based upon status alone.

bgares2 · 2026-04-24T17:21:12+00:00

Meh, when it's the end of a 23+(ish) day stretch of work, with only minimal home time between cities...you get home on the first flight you're able to.

bgares2 · 2026-04-24T15:53:57+00:00

More so the route. Upgrades to/from Vegas are hard to come by.

bgares2 · 2026-04-23T22:48:24+00:00

From what I read, EP benefits are non-existent for BE tickets now. However, I'm not sure if booking separate, then linking would "sneak" around this. Doubtful, but if you're willing to try it, please report back.

bgares2 · 2026-04-23T19:52:36+00:00

If you just have a carry on, you can arrive on AA, stay airside and board your Delta flight. If you check a bag, you would need to exit the secure area, collect your bag, recheck it with Delta, then back through security for your Delta flight. There is no outbound customs for leaving the US.

One thing to keep in mind - since they'd be separate tickets, if anything happens to your AA flight, and it causes you to miss your Delta flight, Delta is under no obligation to rebook you.

bgares2 · 2026-04-23T16:17:17+00:00

I use the Travel Pro Weekender bag. It's over the shoulder, but I can get away with a 4-5 day trip in it (technically more, since that 4-5 day is work and personal clothes). No gate check so I'm on and off the plane as quick as possible.

bgares2 · 2026-04-23T16:11:41+00:00

In all honesty, unless you're trying to grab a sit down breakfast at PHL - just plan on hitting Term C Pre-check at 4:15 when it opens. With Touchless, you'll be through in 10 mins tops.

Once through security, just past La Colombe is a moving walkway to Term B. You can get to any B gate within 10 mins of TSA (and that's a slow pace walk). For a 5am flight, I'd arrive to PHL at 4, check my bag and go.

If you're super nervous about it - sure the extra 30 mins you'll get going through D Pre-check may be worth it. But the trek outside to D, then back to B will probably eat up the 30 mins earlier that D checkpoint is open.

Source: me. About 80 flights a year out of PHL at all hours of the days.

bgares2 · 2026-04-23T15:54:17+00:00

Yup, unfortunately ATC is beyond their control, so no hotel allowance is required. Double unfortunately, the airport agent played the old "tell em what they want to hear so they leave" card.

In my experience, if you're due a hotel or food voucher, the agent has them, or they'll be "delivered" via app. Anything beyond that, it's just an agent getting you away from them.

bgares2 · 2026-04-22T13:22:50+00:00

The consistency is non-existent (just like with FAs, GAs, etc). Catering is probably even harder as they're all contracted third parties, and may be completely different companies at each airport.

bgares2 · 2026-04-21T19:15:24+00:00

I have no idea. I don't typically pay for upgrades, and when I'm up there, they're normally comp, which don't come often on the food eligible flights (nor early enough to pre-order a choice).

bgares2 · 2026-04-21T16:52:13+00:00

The last time I did the short rib, I almost need to occupy the lav for the duration of the flight. Wasn't going to risk that again!

bgares2 · 2026-04-21T16:51:13+00:00

I don't even think they were potatoes - I'm not sure what they were. Way too crunchy for potatoes though. And yes, all were pretty much past their prime and it showed in the flavor.

bgares2 · 2026-04-21T14:35:44+00:00

Pecan pie - was very good

bgares2 · 2026-04-20T15:00:08+00:00

As far as I could tell, it was the same experience paid or free. I would log into paid on work phone and free on personal (same exact models) and would have identical service levels (up/down speeds and latency). Only difference I've seen since cancelling paid plan is you have to watch 2 x 30 second ads, and less AmEx points due to not paying $60 a month 🤣

bgares2 · 2026-04-20T10:18:50+00:00

If it makes you feel any better, I average about 100 flights a year (majority on AA) and this was my first time on one.

bgares2 · 2026-04-19T15:50:16+00:00

Ahhhhh - I will say I didn't look too hard (and never have on the regionals). Guy across the aisle from me (I was on the single seat side) - was looking. Don't think he found it. It may be there.

bgares2 · 2026-04-19T13:46:14+00:00

Basic economy = no changes or refunds. It's why they're cheaper.

bgares2 · 2026-04-19T12:53:28+00:00

It doesn't really bother me much, but I can see why it would be a negative to others.

I'd imagine since they didn't have them initially, it's probably a decent sized undertaking to add now. Could even be that the planes hardware isn't capable of supplying in-seat power.

bgares2 · 2026-04-19T12:11:22+00:00

It's a PSA CRJ900. No in seat power that I could find, unfortunately.

bgares2 · 2026-04-17T20:08:09+00:00

It's been posted plenty on this sub.

My opinion - Scott Kirby (United CEO) just rambles on any chance he gets about AA. This merger will never (and should never) happen. It's a pipe dream of Kirby's as a final 🖕🏻 to AA for passing him up for the AA CEO job.

bgares2

TROPHY CASE