Saving money on air travel doesn’t come without a little effort. Or, in some cases, a lot of effort. The advent of the Internet has made booking more convenient, but not all sites are easy to navigate; consequently, finding the best fare can be quite challenging. Add to that the vast array of fare structures that vary from airline to airline and you may be tempted to drive to your vacation destination rather than fly.
To help travelers find prices that best suit their budgets, American Airlines recently unveiled a new fare structure. It offers potential fliers three coach-class fare types that come with a variety of perks and benefits.
The first option is the cheapest and is subject to change fees of $150. Selecting “Choice” fares means you will also be charged for checked bags unless you are an elite passenger.
Option two costs a bit more, but eliminates the change fee and includes a free checked bag, priority boarding and bonus frequent-flier miles. “Choice Essential” fares cost an extra $68 per roundtrip, but allows you to make changes to your itinerary without paying fees. You are also permitted one free checked bag (or a third checked bag for elite frequent-flier members) and get to board before “Choice” fare passengers.
The third airfare option is “Choice Plus.” It will set you back an additional $88 per roundtrip. Perks include: No fees for changing your travel dates, one free checked bag (or third checked bag for elite frequent-flier members), Group 1 Boarding, 50% AAdvantage mileage bonus, free same-day flight changes, same-day standby option, and a premium beverage, such as an alcoholic drink on each of your flights.
American Airlines is also maintaining its “Fully Flexible” and “Business/First” airfares. The former’s perks include refundable fare, two checked bags, preferred seating, same-day flight change, same-day standby, and eligibility to use 500-mile upgrade certificates. Meanwhile, the latter’s benefits include choice of the best seats on the plane, plus priority baggage handling, up to three checked bags and PriorityAAccess.