American A/L baggage charge

Author Message   Ted Lamb Senior Member Username: Ted_l Post Number: 1032 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.189.7.202 Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 04:19 am:    Well, it looks as if I lucked out, in both directions. As I said . . . I'll take luck.   Jim Hunt Intermediate Member Username: Jhunt66 Post Number: 57 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 66.175.88.155 Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 01:44 am:    Just flew AA DFW-HNL. Checking in at kiosk with bags to check requires a credit card with no option for discount. Clerk who actually receives the bag and tags it has no authority to waive the fee. You could wait in line at ticketing/check in and try the waiver there, but when I asked, the agent directing traffic at ticketing said "active duty only" and she knew what a CAC card was as opposed to "old blue".   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1526 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 80.148.23.52 Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 07:28 pm:    I'm hopefully flying into BWI tomorrow on the PatX and then taking AA to Chicago and will definitely display my retired military ID to AA as I'll be checking two bags. Cherry, I noticed the same on my wife's ID when she received it a year ago. I just smiled and shook my head. John is right in that it's progress...I guess.   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1525 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 80.148.23.52 Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 07:20 pm:    David, I thought that a checked bag was a checked bag regrdless of size. It looks like you might have received a 50% discount based on your retired military ID card as I thought.   David E. Feiring Member Username: Flash Post Number: 12 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 38.107.217.2 Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 06:57 pm:    I just flew AA. I'm retired, showed my ID, cost me $25 for a small checked bag at Dulles IAD.   Bill Terry Senior Member Username: Bill_terry Post Number: 657 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 72.216.27.70 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 11:43 pm:    Doug S post reminded me that last Friday I went with my BIL to his Bank of A to get on his account and had to show 2 ID's. The lady insisted my ID was expired. Had a hard time explaining to her that the date was when I went on Medicare. She did not understand INDEF (Glad that's not my bank and this is a military area)   John David Brooks Senior Member Username: Johnb6597 Post Number: 408 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 121.55.235.75 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 06:39 pm:    Well, by removing yours, Cherry, they've reduced the risk of identity theft by 50%. That's progress.   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 6358 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.163.18.160 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 11:45 am:    Speaking of social security numbers (as Ed does, below), I recently had to renew my dependent's ID card and am interested to note that while MY number is shown as XX-XXX-XXXX, that of my sponsor (my husband) is still completely listed! So how does anyone think they are protecting privacy and preventing identity theft?   ed williamson Advanced Member Username: Regnav Post Number: 192 Registered: 07-2009 Posted From: 76.114.109.206 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 10:31 am:    I've had a couple of pleasant surprises as well, most lately at Chick Fillet where the discount was 50% for police and retired military. However, it might be well to remember that our SS number is on the retired card, and not on the DL, at least in Tennessee. Don't know about other states.   Roger T. Evans Member Username: Rogerev Post Number: 48 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 198.134.93.212 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 06:31 am:    Saturday May 16th, I flew from Las Vegas to Phoenix by U.S. Airways, when asked for an ID I always give my Driver’s License. Never entered my mind that I could have saved $25.00 by whipping-out the ole blue card instead. Thanks for this possibly money-saving tip, Ted.   Ted Lamb Senior Member Username: Ted_l Post Number: 1031 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.189.7.202 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 11:46 pm:    On the way out from Madison this A.M., we presented ourselves at the counter, with our bag to check. Counter person asked for ID, so I opened my wallet. I saw her look at both my DL and retired card. The bag was checked, and no mention of a checked bag fee. At the TSA screening area, I pulled out my retired ID, to show along with the boarding pass (the retired ID is much easier to remove than the DL). The screener did say: "Thank you for your service." U.S. 395: my favorite highway. It is incredibly scenic, and also I have many fond memories of camping and mountain climbing trips while I was in college. When we travel up to visit family in Lassen County, I much prefer 395 to Reno, rather than 5, then 80 to Reno.   Doug Skillman Member Username: Dskillman Post Number: 18 Registered: 02-2010 Posted From: 70.33.13.243 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 01:50 pm:    I always use my retired ID as my primary ID. Friday I had a funny thing happen while at the bank getting Australian dollars for our upcoming trip there next month. I used my ID and the teller was looking for the expiration date. I had to tell her it doesn't expire until I do! She laughed. Another thing.. every now and then you will get a "thank you for your service" as a result of showing the ID. Gives me a good feeling to hear that.   Dakota Ray Senior Member Username: Rhammer Post Number: 441 Registered: 05-2007 Posted From: 69.62.147.217 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 01:58 am:    Interesting--I have been though Schat's and Bishop. Who could miss the signs?? I certainly did not try my Military ID. I love Highway 395 instead of Highway 99 or I-5. It may take a bit longer but it depends on where you are going in L.A. Also check the Marine Training Center near Bridgeport. I have not been through there but did respond to posts on this board. I will update when I stay there. Bishop is a great place to visit but Bishop also has some great Mexican food and is a great exploration of sites within a reasonable distance. Good luck in your adventures back to L.A.   Ted Lamb Senior Member Username: Ted_l Post Number: 1030 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 97.88.245.254 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 01:31 am:    I had that happen one other time, at Schat's Bakery, in Bishop, CA. I was asked for ID for my credit card, and the cashier noticed the blue ID card. They give 10% to military, including retired. I doubt that many SPATs go through Bishop, so I didn't post it on the board. We'll see how it goes in the morning, when we leave Madison, heading back to L.A.   Dakota Ray Senior Member Username: Rhammer Post Number: 440 Registered: 05-2007 Posted From: 69.62.147.217 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 11:03 pm:    Thanks Lee I feel "awfully dumb". My ID's will be moved right after this post. I am going to San Francisco tomorrow for Bay to Breakers and will use my credit card. Some times we just assume things and I always assumed that people wanted a Driver's license for ID. I know there is a joke about assuming things and I will not go there. Happy Trails!!!   Leland Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 6227 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 98.218.147.237 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 10:16 pm:    Hi Ray, every place seems to accept military ID. My wife and I use ours as our primary ID. The only exception, obviously, is if a traffic cop wants your license. Fortunately, that is now quite rare for me.   Dakota Ray Senior Member Username: Rhammer Post Number: 439 Registered: 05-2007 Posted From: 69.62.147.217 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 10:11 pm:    This is an interesting string. Do you use the Military ID as your primary ID to verify info including Credit Card Purchases, etc. I have always used my CA drivers license and carry my Military ID under the fold in my wallet but it is not apparent to the clerks. Do you just show them you military ID instead of a drivers license? Maybe I need to get a new wallet that shows both at the same time or do stores accept the military ID instead of the drivers license? Maybe I just need to shift the location in my wallet. Many times I do ask if a military discount is available but not always. Thanks for info.   Jack T. Paxton Senior Member Username: Jpaxton Post Number: 837 Registered: 07-2003 Posted From: 24.27.231.67 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 08:22 pm:    John David Brooks: Absolutely use your ID card in any transaction. You would be amaazed at how many times people I am dealing with will come through with discounts. When in doubt: Try it!   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1518 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 80.148.17.23 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 06:16 pm:    John, I can see that this is a habit I'm going to have work on changing. I always carry the card though I rarely show it except when asked, so that will have to change.   John David Brooks Senior Member Username: Johnb6597 Post Number: 402 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 121.55.235.75 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 12:15 pm:    You will be amazed how many "lucky" things happen to you when you use your military ID as your primary form of ID. I am frequently extended privileges and courtesies when businesses take note of it. Gotten me out of a few speeding tickets along the way, too. Perks of the trade. Hell, just today while at a local bookstore, I asked the cashier if they offered a military discount and she replied, "No, but I'll give you the same 10% discount we offer to store employees." I travel fairly frequently (6 or more times a year), and I've yet to have a commercial airline charge me for a bag once they've seen my military ID. The day may come, but it hasn't yet.   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1516 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 80.148.17.23 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 09:19 am:    Good one Ted. Three weeks ago we flew Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale and had to pay the $25 per bag charge. I didn't show my retired ID. Some days you're just lucky.   Jt Member Username: Jt Post Number: 42 Registered: 07-2008 Posted From: 24.255.112.222 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 12:34 am:    Our son who goes to University of Miami sometimes pays the luggage fees or sometimes not. It just depends on the clerk.   Ted Lamb Senior Member Username: Ted_l Post Number: 1029 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 166.137.140.136 Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 12:11 am:    Interesting -- we'll I'll take luck! He asked if I was military, and I said "retired."   Leland Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 6221 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 98.218.147.237 Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 07:54 pm:    Roger that, John. According to the American website it is for active duty on official or personal travel, and dependents of AD on orders.   John W. Hardink Intermediate Member Username: Honge46 Post Number: 66 Registered: 06-2007 Posted From: 67.186.170.72 Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 07:38 pm:    It may be that you lucked out on this trip. I believe that AA's policy is to waive the charges for active military- no mention on their site of retirees.   Ted Lamb Senior Member Username: Ted_l Post Number: 1028 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 166.205.139.28 Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 06:48 pm:    We are on our way to WI for our son's graduation, on American. They have a posted baggage charge of $25 for first bag & $35 for second. When we checked in, I was asked for ID. My driver's license and retired ID display together. The person noticed the blue ID card. Because of my military status, there is no baggage fee.