American Airlines’ new fees

American Airlines has completely revised its economy-class fare structure, listing fees for many items that people used to assume would be included with an economy-class ticket.

A base-fare ticket gets you a seat, period. Passengers wanting certain services now must pay for them individually or in two packaged options: (1) “Choice Essential” costs $68 per round trip and offers a flight change for no fee, one bag checked for free and Group 1 boarding, and (2) “Choice Plus,” at $88 round trip, offers no flight-change fee, one checked bag, Group 1 boarding, same-day flight change or standby, 50% bonus miles and a premium beverage on board.

“Fully Flexible” fares still include services like two checked bags, main cabin Extra or Preferred seats, PriorityAAcess, same-day flight change or standby, refundable fares and 500-mile upgrade eligibility at no extra fee.

Business- and first-class fares include the standard benefits and three checked bags, priority baggage handling, Instant Upgrade and PriorityAAcess.