Overview of Baggage Fees

[cbope]

Pretty sad how the airline industry has resorted to gouging it's own customers.

All you frequent fliers, take note. If you have a bonus-level frequent flier card (silver, gold, platinum, whatever), check what benefits you might have for airline baggage. I was coming back home to Europe via United in Chicago earlier this year on a business trip. When I went to check-in they wanted to hit me for $15+$25 for my 2 normal sized, underweight bags. I showed them my silver eurobonus card (SAS, Lufthansa, etc., partner of United) and they waived the charges. Turns out it's policy. Of course it only works if you are flying on the airline that issued the card or if it's a codeshare flight by a partner.

[chinacat46]

Originally Posted by cbope

Pretty sad how the airline industry has resorted to gouging it's own customers.

All you frequent fliers, take note. If you have a bonus-level frequent flier card (silver, gold, platinum, whatever), check what benefits you might have for airline baggage. I was coming back home to Europe via United in Chicago earlier this year on a business trip. When I went to check-in they wanted to hit me for $15+$25 for my 2 normal sized, underweight bags. I showed them my silver eurobonus card (SAS, Lufthansa, etc., partner of United) and they waived the charges. Turns out it's policy. Of course it only works if you are flying on the airline that issued the card or if it's a codeshare flight by a partner.

You shouldn't have had to show your card at all since that is an international flight and most airlines including United don't charge on international routes period.

[Bassoonin]

Hi all!

I'm trying to pack for our Maui trip on Saturday, and I was just looking at the airline baggage fees. I am curious, how would the airlines know that you have dive gear? I am specifically talking about Hawaiian Airlines. If I put it all in normal bags and don't take tanks, weights or ponies, how would they know. TSA does the checks, right? Or does Hawaiian do something different.



I admit it, I don't want to pay an extra $100 for a dive bag.

[navyhmc]

The next question is when I packmy dive gear sans tanks and weights in with my carry one and regular suit case, how do they know? And would they charge extra?

[georoc01]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

The next question is when I packmy dive gear sans tanks and weights in with my carry one and regular suit case, how do they know? And would they charge extra?

Unless you show up with an Akona bag covered in PADI patches going to a location like Bonaire that is known for diving, they probably wouldn't even ask.

And I split my stuff up between 3 bags anyway. So there isn't a single dive bag that could be questioned. The one that could would be the one with fins & my bc.

[scubagirlj]

US Airways has raised their fees to $30 for 1st checked bag(i was afraid to look for 2nd) but $25 if you pre-pay-they do not consider mexico or carribean international for baggage, just for check-in(can't print boarding passes on line 24 hrs out)- i usually like to get kissed before i get f****d

[mrm777]

"You shouldn't have had to show your card at all since that is an international flight and most airlines including United don't charge on international routes period.[/quote]
__________________________________

Have had no problem on international flights yet....knock on wood.

[loudgonzo]

American Airlines Announces Changes to Checked Bag Charges - Yahoo! Finance

[loudgonzo]

Last fee increase lasted barely a month....
American to charge $50 for 2nd bag on some flights - MarketWatch

Europe and India only.

IMHO, American Airlines is in a race to the bottom of the totem pole, in all regards.

[chinacat46]

I'm flying Air Tran for the first time in October from Denver to San Juan, PR.

Here is there baggage info:

1st checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less; dimensions: 61 inches or smaller

Fee based on reservation booking date:
Booked on November 12, 2008, or later $15
Booked on November 11, 2008, or earlier Free

2nd checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less; dimensions: 61 inches or smaller

Fee based on reservation booking date:
Booked on August 14, 2008, or later $25
Booked April 22 – August 13, 2008 $10 online, $20 at airport
Booked on April 21, 2008, or earlier Free


Excess baggage (each piece after the first two bags) $50

Overweight baggage
51-70 pounds $39
Effective October 1, 2009 $49
71-100 pounds $79

Oversized baggage (length + width + height)
62 to 70 inches $39
Effective October 1, 2009 No fee
71 to 80 inches $79

Active military personnel with reservations booked March 18, 2009, or later, traveling with ID and official orders, will have their first, second, and third bag fees waived, in addition to oversize and overweight fees for those three bags. The bags must not exceed a total of 100 pounds or 80 inches each. Standard baggage fees will apply for all bags checked in excess of three.

They have a large section about sporting equipment. Here is the info on SCUBA:

Scuba Equipment - With Tank Additional $79 fee each
1 scuba tank with harness – empty with valve removed, 1 scuba regulator, 1 pressure gauge, 1 mask, 2 fins, 1 snorkel, 1 safety vest, 1 knife, 1 speargun, all packed in a suitable bag

Scuba Equipment - No Tank Standard oversize and overweight fees apply