American Airlines ups its checked bag fees

This is from the American Airlines website:

For customers who purchase domestic Economy Class tickets on or after August 14, 2009, the charge for checking a first or second bag has changed.

The changes apply for travel on American Airlines, America Eagle and AmericanConnection® flights within the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tickets purchased before August 14, 2009: 1st checked bag charge: $15, second checked bag $20. Tickets purchased on or after August 14, 2009: 1st checked bag charge: $25, 2nd checked bag charge: $30.


This means if you are a family of four and are checking one bag per person, it will cost you an extra $100.

It really begins to seem like a hidden charge! Now everyone needs to do lots of extra homework to determine EXACTLY what the airfare really cost!

Glad I booked before the date change. The previous poster is correct that you really do have to do your homework to figure out the extra charges. This just adds more people carrying the small suitcases on the plane making boarding and unboarding that much longer. I have 3 tickets booked and will probably end up carrying on a small suitcase for each seat. Eventually, if everybody does this, there won't be enough room and the airlines will end up having to check the bags anyway because you can't store the suitcase under your seat.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by poohbearkris

... Eventually, if everybody does this, there won't be enough room and the airlines will end up having to check the bags anyway because you can't store the suitcase under your seat.

---

Or, they will start enforcing that all carry-ons MUST fit under the seat, with the overheads reserved for lightweight personal items (coats, laptops, etc.) as they were originally intended.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aurora

Tickets purchased before August 14, 2009: 1st checked bag charge: $15, second checked bag $20. Tickets purchased on or after August 14, 2009: 1st checked bag charge: $25, 2nd checked bag charge: $30.
[/I]

This means if you are a family of four and are checking one bag per person, it will cost you an extra $100.

---

That's an extra $100, EACH WAY. :spend: That would add almost 30% to our total travel cost.

Due to the cost of checked baggage, we have decided to use only carry ons. That means that liquid items we would normally check will have to be bought down there, but even with the increased cost of the items at the resort, we figure it's still cheaper than the baggage fees.

It really does get my goat how the airlines used checked baggage fees as an excuse to offset the price of fuel when oil was $150 a barrel. Now that it is below $70 they increase the fee? Seems just like a plain and simple revenue grab.

Hide the darn fees in the ticket price and don't give me any surprises when I see the final price of my ticket.

Pretty soon the airlines are going to have to enforce the carry on sizes. I see no other way around the delays and arguments that will arise from the increase of carry ons.

Man how long before they try charging for carry-ons too?

The more I see this kind of thing, the more I LUV SouthWest Airlines!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BMan62

The more I see this kind of thing, the more I LUV SouthWest Airlines!!!

---

:ditto: when we're flying on our dime that's who we go with almost every time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BMan62

The more I see this kind of thing, the more I LUV SouthWest Airlines!!!

---

1) Yes, but even SW is now charging for some luggage.
2) Plus, they have started charging for bag #3.
3) Won't be long before they charge for bag #2 and bag #1.
4) It is a case of straight economics.
5) They are running out of hedges for fuel.
6) So, they will be close to the same footing as other carriers.
7) For now, the extra fees are few.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper

1) Yes, but even SW is now charging for some luggage.
2) Plus, they have started charging for bag #3.
3) Won't be long before they charge for bag #2 and bag #1.

---

I think it will be a while before Southwest charges for the 1st or 2nd bag, especially as it heavily used in their advertising and it is working. Yes, they charge for bag #3, but I would think the number of people who check more than 2 bags per person is quite small. I know I have never checked more than 2 bags and neither have my parents, and that includes checking my mother's wheelchair.

Ship your brand of liquid items. It will cost less. Plus no looking for the right sunscreen/hair product that you want.

Personally I like Jet blue...
:number1:

Maybe we should start shipping our clothes. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper

1) Yes, but even SW is now charging for some luggage.
2) Plus, they have started charging for bag #3.
3) Won't be long before they charge for bag #2 and bag #1.
4) It is a case of straight economics.
5) They are running out of hedges for fuel.
6) So, they will be close to the same footing as other carriers.
7) For now, the extra fees are few.

---

I have to totally agree with you on this. Just because SW is advertising no baggage fees, doesn't mean that they won't change that whenever they want. To be honest, I haven't seen one of their commercials claiming no fees in at least 3-4 months. I haven't seen any SW commercials at all in at least a couple months. I also noticed they took the "no fees" statements off of the front page on their site, too. Makes it much easier to start charging fees and not looking like they are going against their word.

I mean, they used to say "No fees. Never have, never will". And now? Charges on the 3rd checked bag (I always had 3 checked bags and never paid anything). When did they start charging $25 for the 3rd bag? We must have stopped flying before that.

From their site:

"Note: Effective June 17, 2009, the charge for checking a third bag or a bag weighing 51-70 pounds will be $50. The charge will apply to Customers who purchased or changed their reservation on or after June 1, 2009. Customers who purchased their reservation before June 1, 2009, will be subject to the $25 charge for checking a third bag or any bag weighing 51-70 pounds."

So, even if you change your ressie after June 1st, you are obligated to pay the higher $50 fee for the 3rd bag.

I don't know how it will all play out with Southwest, but I did just see their 'bags fly free' commercial this week. In fact, I've seen it several times (they sponsor several MLB teams and the commercials tend to show up during games).

I know it's possible their policies will change, but I'm hoping the fact that they fill their planes better than most airlines will keep them from lowering their standards and start charging for the 1st or 2nd bag. It's absolutely ridiculous that every airline doesn't include at the very least the first bag for 'free'. How many people fly on a plane and don't check a bag (especially with the limitations for what you can carry on)? Almost none. I guess we'll see if SW keeps us happy! I know American Airlines certainly hasn't.

Well, as somebody with fear of flying, just one more reason to drive when possible. My bags fly free in my car. :D

Sometimes flying is more of a hassle than driving. My family recently traveled to Chicago from Akron for a wedding. I left my house at 6 a.m. to catch the flight and those family members that drove left at the same time and arrived before we did. Next time I'll drive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SurferStitch

I have to totally agree with you on this. Just because SW is advertising no baggage fees, doesn't mean that they won't change that whenever they want. To be honest, I haven't seen one of their commercials claiming no fees in at least 3-4 months. I haven't seen any SW commercials at all in at least a couple months. I also noticed they took the "no fees" statements off of the front page on their site, too. Makes it much easier to start charging fees and not looking like they are going against their word.

I mean, they used to say "No fees. Never have, never will". And now? Charges on the 3rd checked bag (I always had 3 checked bags and never paid anything). When did they start charging $25 for the 3rd bag? We must have stopped flying before that.

From their site:

"Note: Effective June 17, 2009, the charge for checking a third bag or a bag weighing 51-70 pounds will be $50. The charge will apply to Customers who purchased or changed their reservation on or after June 1, 2009. Customers who purchased their reservation before June 1, 2009, will be subject to the $25 charge for checking a third bag or any bag weighing 51-70 pounds."

So, even if you change your ressie after June 1st, you are obligated to pay the higher $50 fee for the 3rd bag.

---

Well, I am not sure if you are in the Philadelphia television market, but I just saw 2 commercials while watching the Phillies, highlighting that they do not charge for the first 2 bags and commenting on what other airlines charge. These commercials are on all the time here. As I stated before, I really think the number of people who check more than 2 bags per person is very small, so it was a low risk proposition for them to charge for a 3rd bag. None of the other airlines are even close to Southwest in regards in baggage policies.

I just came back from a trip where I flew US Airways (it was a package deal, so I did not have a choice) and because I would have been charged $20 dollars ($15 is I signed up online), I made due with carry-on for my 4 day trip. If US Airways and Southwest are the same base fare (as is usually the case out of Philadelphia to Florida) I am flying Southwest as I do not get slammed with any extra fees.

Could this change? Of course. The other airlines have been charging for over a year, though, and Southwest has not done it yet. If they do change their policy, that won't happen before 2010.

Yes, I get Philly stations, but since I don't like baseball and never watch it, and it seems that people are mostly seeing them during baseball shows, that would explain why I'm not seeing them.

I watch Philly news shows, and the Philly affiliate channels from time to time, and like I said, haven't seen a commercial in months.

I also remember seeing a lot of magazine ads in the past, but again, haven't seen one in at least 6 months or so.