AIRLINES TO START CHARGING $25 FOR SECOND BAG

[thepiranha]

Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways just announced that they will start charging $25 for a second bag. AirTran announced that it will charge $10 for a second bag. This fee is going to take effect next month and it's supposed to offset the increase in fuel prices. Sorry about my previous posting with no text, but I hit return instead of tab and it published. Is there a way for me to get rid of it?

[kyshel]

not quite news but certainly unwelcome to almost everyone:
http://community.luxurylink.com/luxurylink/board/message?board.id=board-general&thread.id=5714

Unfortunately, every airline who has to pay for fuel to fly us and our bags is passing it one, one way or another. Did you see the little tidbit about how much it costs an airline to accept 1000 pounds of baggage (over the standard allowance per person--it's a formula set by every carrier) for a 3 hour flight? $16,000--somebody has to pay and it's not figured in the price of the tickets (yet) Part of the marvelous marketing strategy that makes us think we're getting a good price on seats...?? I never quite understood why $9.99 is such a better retail selling price than $10.

We are seeing it on the inside, too--we have surcharges on some of our pass tickets.

Message Edited by kyshel on 04-22-2008 10:11 AM

[bonniejoy03]

Just an FYI for all. There is a date that this is effective as of. If you bought your tickets prior to this date (I think for USAir it is 2/28?), you still call take two bags each without the extra fee...WEO! My next two trips to Anguilla and Virgin Gorda were purchased prior to the change so I am loading up! (only kidding, we will just be carrying food and extra tennis balls...but at least we can live large!)

[kyshel]

I'm surprised it isn't effective based date of travel, not ticket purchase--that's a real plus for your trips, Bonniejoy3!! I'm seeing some restrictions begin on specific dates, despite seat purchase date. Not many airlines have fuel hedges any more, so they still have to take the loss to carry 2nd bag w/out "make-up" revenue--just the same as selling a discounted ticket. I guess you'll have to decide what's more important for the next trip--tennis balls or sustenance!! just kidding!

[thepiranha]

I guess it's sort of like the cruise ships, which are now charging an extra $10 per person per day (I think that's the new surcharge) for fuel. A family of four going on a one week cruise would have to pay an additional $280 for their cruise even though they purchased their tickets a long time ago. I find that blatantly unfair. A purchased ticket should be a purchased ticket.

[bonniejoy03]

Two issues. First,for the airlinesbenefit, I printed off what was on their web site for my next two trips concerning the bags. As per USAir, "A second checked bag will be assessed a $25 fee. The new fee applies to travel on or after May 5 for tickets purchased on or after February 26, 2008. So, I am definitely covered for my next two trips!

Second, I popped up both trips on "MY TRIPS" on their web site. Both trips have different prices listed in what I originally had paid? I am not sure if they have changed their accounting system to reflect booking the ticket through an agent (between 10-20 fee which I paid seperately) or is this a fuel surcharge that they will try to collect from me at the airport? Scary!

[nomadbea]

I knew this was only a matter of time. I'm predicting similar additional charges to start popping up.

[kyshel]

I was at the counter a few days ago, picking up tickets. Agent weighed passenger's only bag being checked to FRA as 3 pounds over the 50# limit--then gave him the choice of paying $80 for the excess or moving 3# to carry-on. Passenger took out a heavy pair of shoes, saying, "these didn't even cost that much!"--squeezed them into his bag and cleared the weight allowance by a few ounces. I guess you have to really be on your toes as airlines clamp down. Maybe they should sell a small second bag for a decent price, then add the $25 for that type of situation! Make more money to cover their losses??

Message Edited by kyshel on 04-28-2008 09:23 AM

[bonniejoy03]

I was on American's web site yesterday and they will start charging now. If I read it correctly, this will begin after May 12th for domestic only flights. There were a lot of exceptions to the extra bag fee (such as gold, platinum members, etc.) I didn't seem to see international flights included. My question though is that if half of the trip is domestic (Baltimore to Miami) then international (Miami to Panama) will you still have to pay the fee? I am guessing not but not sure.

[kyshel]

It took me a while to find it, Bonniejoy3. On the upper right corner of baggage page there's "important updates" square. The second exclusion says $25 second bag charge does not apply to INT flights. Since you usually check-in at domestic airport as INT traveler, it should apply immediately and cover your domestic leg as N/C second bag.
Yep, you're right, there are a lot of exclusions!! Everything else says contact reservations--we all know how much fun that is!