AA non rev benefits
 

I've been curious but can't find an answer anywhere in previous threads. Could someone provide a brief rundown of non Rev benefits at American?

They suck!!

First five years on the property = charged for First and Coach.
Five years through 25 years = charged for First, free for domestic Coach
25 years + = free First/Coach.

Definitely the worst bennies amongst the majors. Hoping USAir (if the merger goes thru) fixes it.

You forgot to write "just kidding man!" at the end of that.

WHAT??????

Not free F/C after 25 yrs.

Jetnet (company travel site) fare section isn't working to check the reduction but it's a reduced rate in F/C. Maybe 1/3 cheaper(?) but not free.

Thanks Slice, I didn't think it could be any worse than what I wrote!

Unfortunately all true. AMR has profited off its employee non rev bennies for decades.

Free F/C on domestic flights after 25 years and reduce rate first and free coach on international flights

Good luck finding open first class seats to non-rev. The upgrade list for first class from revenue people is almost always a mile long.

Guys, I have been there 35 years, and I still pay for first class. Not as much as a new hire, but it is not free, even in domestic.

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.

What is the age requirement for First at AA? USA is 12 years. Delta is 6.

The discount for upgrades after 25 years is equal to the coach price charged for the segment. Example:

SAN-JFK
0-5 years:
Y: $12.00, F: $32.45

5-25 years:
Y: $0.00, F: $32.45

25+ years:
Y: $0.00, F:$20.45

The low end charges (based on SAN-LAX... at 109 miles) are Y: $4.68/F: $11.92.

On long haul international flights, they use flat rate pricing, rather than mileage based.

US-Europe/Deep South America:
0-25 years:
Y: $35.00, J: $60.00, F: $100.00

25+ years:
Y: $0.00, J: $25.00, F: $65.00


US-Asia:
0-25 years:
Y: $50.00, J: $100.00, F: $175.00

25+ years:
Y: $0.00, J: $50.00, F: $125.00

All of these are the service charge only, before taxes/fees.

Current requirement is 6 years or older for AA premium cabins.

Can you pay these fees at the gate?

Hope we adopt your current requirement. If the merger goes through that is...

They are deducted from your paycheck. If you are on any form of leave with travel benefits (or retirement I think) they just send you a bill.

So AA guys have to pay to commute??

When they commute by traveling nonrev on AA during their first 5 years of service (or 25 years, if they're not in coach), yes.

Its really sad when bargain basement regional airline pilots get better treatment than pilots at one of the world's largest carriers.

Isn't the W free for commuters?

Dumb question, but I honestly don't know.

US - always pay for upgrade and if the loads are tight you should purchase an upgrade ahead of time even if you don't want it. On short hauls, save it unless you need it to get on. Sadly first to Europe or on any long flight is hard to come by even if you have purchased the upgrade plus if you don't use the upgrade you have to mail it back for credit. So for Europe that can be money that you need in your checking account (especially if you are an employee). Still we keep them on hand just to have the wiggle room when we travel- both literally and figuratively. I have traveled many times with grandparents plus four kids- even to Europe. I couldn't afford the first upgrade for that may folks- but even if I could have nonrev children were not allowed in first at any price until mine were grown. Be prepared to sit all over the plane which means unless the plane has several empty seats don't attempt this with car seat, diaper kids- or even toddlers. However if you end up in a tight situation offer to buy drinks for someone to move. It works every time. Always check in early if you are flying with small kids. All of this being said- make the effort if you have kids they will be better adults for it.

What if the commuter is listed in jump seat and gets a seat in the back... Do they pay for that?

W is free *IF* the flight is full.

Still debatable. Many recent recalles I've talked to say that they ask for the 1W on open flights and the agent gives it to them, and they don't get charged. Same with pilots D2ing intl. haven't gotten a "for sure" answer on that yet.

AA non rev benefits
 

I've Jumpseated on AA quite a bit. I've been given a seat in the back a number of times and never paid anything. Pretty messed up if OAL jumpseaters sit back there for free while on-line jumpseaters have to pay. Actually, it's pretty messed up that any employee has to pay for non-rev travel.

If you are on the jumpseat (1W/2W), you are not charged any fees. OFFICIALLY its incorrect for an agent to issue a 1W if there are seats in the back. However, that is not to say it does not happen where an agent will issue a 1W and the person still gets a seat in the back, possibly even a first class seat.

It tends to happen more with FAs getting an X seat (cabin jumpseat) as they tend to be more buddy/buddy with the gate agents.

Again, officially this is against the TRIP book but like many non-revers, they do not follow the rules.

AA non rev benefits
 

Since the merger is back on, non-rev bennies will need to be addressed. I know "adopt-and-go" is the official policy. But, is there any way we can adopt Delta's non-rev policy and go? This paying for non-rev (first or coach) business is JV.

I wish, I don't think management will give up making money off of employees all that easily. Delta bennies are the gold standard.

Here's some news that's uplifting
 

January Company Newsletter

https://wings.usairways.com/uswings/...ls_outlook.pdf

Yes, j/s is free for commuters. IIRC, j/s is your *only* option on probation. Maybe it's changed, I don't know. I used to commute SFO-MIA back in the day, and you were SOL if you couldn't get the j/s, even if there were empty seats in back.

(usually you'd have a good captain and/or nice gate agents who'd get you on anyway, but it wasn't something you could contractually count on)