American is Testing the Sale of “Extended Hold” Reservations

by Gary Leff

Jul 19 2015

American is testing offering ‘extended hold’ options for sale on reservations.

American will only charge for the extended hold after 24 hours, so if you select extended hold but purchase or cancel within 24 hours you won’t be charged for the optional hold.

They’re hardly first to this party, it’s been offered by other airlines including United. This is actually something I like to see — it’s added fees, but for something that wasn’t already offered free, it’s truly optional, and it’s added value.

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You Can Ask American Airlines to Release Award Seats For You

by Gary Leff

Jul 19 2015

Reader Stephen asked, “Can you ask AA to open saver level award space on a domestic leg of an international trip?”

He found Japan Airlines first class award space Los Angeles – Tokyo but wasn’t able to include the Houston – Los Angeles flight that he needed as part of his award.

There are two circumstances in which you can ask American Airlines to release award space, and this is one of those times.

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The End of American Airlines Skycaps at 38 Airports, and What Position Goes Next

by Gary Leff

Jul 19 2015

American Airlines eliminated curbside check-in at 38 airports May 1. (It’s still offered at 26 airports including American hubs.)

Are skycaps still needed? I’ve only needed them once, and then I really needed it… but that was, ironically enough, US Airways’ fault.

The logic of eliminating skycaps may next apply to another position at American Airlines…

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The Best, Least Known Feature of American Airlines Upgrades that Can Save You on Your Next Trip

by Gary Leff

Jul 18 2015

If you upgrade with American using miles or confirmed systemwides, then you’re protected.

Via Traveling Better, if your flight is effected by weather, crew legality, mechanical issues, or even air traffic control — if your flight is delayed just two hours (and in fact, just one hour if you are an AAdvantage elite member or full fare passenger) then you can be protected on a joint venture partner or oneworld airline in the same upgraded class of service if their flight will get you to your destination faster than the next American flight with available inventory will.

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TSA Has Been Breaking the Law with Nude-o-Scopes for 7 Years. Is That About to Change?

by Gary Leff

Jul 18 2015

In light of revelations that the TSA fails to stop bombs and weapons going through the checkpoint 95% of the time, we can expect even more security theatre and less efficient screening.

We’ve subjected ourselves to the War on Water (and extortionate bottled water pricing from the newsstand-industrial complex), long waits, ID checks, pat downs, naked pictures of ourselves, and exposure to radiation. All to make us feel more safe.

And in the process the Federal Courts have found that TSA has blatantly flouted the law.

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