so the chances of taking the family for free (or cheap) to Europe on your days off is zero then ?

Sat,

I have taken my family on numerous non rev trips with AA. Just have to watch the flights and pick the ones that have the best chance, no different than any other airline. Haven't really gotten First simply because I have two young'uns that don't qualify for First due to age. But when it's been only my wife and I, we've gotten first to Europe and back plenty of times.

Free, never - until we get us airs non rev system. Free first class has never been part of AA bennies. Shame.

Even international Coach charges non rev fees.

Roger that, thanks !

FWIW, US Air isn't free for first either. 25 per segment domestic and 100 international. Passes must be purchased at ticket counter.

It's Delta's non-rev system we want. Good God Almighty do I miss my DL bennies from my regional.

There is a downside to the DL system: you sit behind every ramper, gate agent's mom and dad, gate agent's kids, etc.

I'd gladly pay $100 for int'l FC to get ahead of everyone who isn't willing to.

Um, with my shining 2012 date of hire I'm behind all those people at Airways too!

That is one of the great (arguably) things about AA non-rev is that boarding priority is based on checkin time. So if you check in right at the 24 hour mark (when checkin opens), you secure your spot on the list. Doesn't matter how long you've been there. It allows some predictability because once you check in, you do not have to worry about some 64 1/2 year old coming in at the last minute and bumping you off. True, a family could use their D1s which are a limited number of higher passes but that is fair game for everyone.

And as an AMR-Eagle employee, as far as regional carriers they are some of the best among regionals since we have the same boarding priority as AA and they do not differentiate between AA and Eagle (or "Operated by") flights. That means AA and AMR-Eagle employees have the same boarding priority regardless of equipment. Best part is: If you are on a non-AMR Eagle flight (say Republic), you STILL have higher boarding priority than employees of the operating flight. This means that an AMR-Eagle ramper would bump someone off a Skywest, ExpressJet or Republic flight - even if it is their own metal.

When you say a charge for first/domestic (at AA not US), how much are we talking ballpark?

10-20 for domestic coach, 20-40 for domestic first. For instance, most medium haul flights are about 11 bucks coach and 19 bucks first. So the mark up for first is about 8 bucks. If its for leisure and you get one drink and/or something to eat it has already paid for itself AND you get slightly more comfortable seat. Domestic first is not as likely as the upgrade list is usually quite a few people long but it does happen - between me, my spouse and my parents its about a 50/50 chance of first vs coach.

International is where it adds up but the cost can be very worth it - getting business or even first class is much more likely and while it is a bit more in price - it is SO worth it for making the 8-16 hour flight that much more enjoyable.