DALLAS — American Airlines is changing the way it charges you to fly.
American will charge $68 or $88 more per round trip for economy-class passengers who want a ticket that lets them check baggage or change the reservation later without getting hit by another fee.
The airline says it’s responding to customer complaints about fees, especially the charge — typically $150 — for changing a reservation.
“This will eliminate the fear about what-ifs,” said Rick Elieson, American’s managing director of digital marketing.
American will still sell a basic fare without protection against add-on fees “for the less-discriminating passenger who is just looking for the cheapest way to get to where they’ve got to go,” Elieson said.
Travel experts mostly praised the change and predicted that other airlines will mimic it.
“A checked bag costs $50 anyway, so for $18 more you get protection against change fees,” said George Hobica, co-founder of travel website . “If I had to check a bag anyway, I’d do it.”
American said Wednesday that it’s selling the new tickets on its website and through travel agents for flights in the contiguous 48 states. The Associated Press
