[vinaypai]

I'm okay with bag fees. There is a real cost to carrying extra bags. I pack light and don't see why I need to subsidize other people if it's bundled.

On the other hand, fees for things like seat assignment (regular seats, not just the exit rows and such) are just an annoying cash grab.

[verall]

AA will make you pay extra to "choose your own seat" ($75-$150 extra per ticket for basic economy -> main cabin) and then block off all but 3 rows as "premium seats" so that you can pay $30+/leg/person to sit with your party/travel companion after paying already paying extra. Better get to the airport early and beg the gate attendant or spend an additional $240+ (1 layover, 2 passengers)!

If you book a codeshare they don't even try to let you choose, they simply put in the fine print that the choosing your own seat perk "may not apply to partner airlines".

I hate it.