OK, even I can't defend this ...

[bydesign77]

My former employer, US Airways, is hiking fees for bags:

http://www.azcentral.com/travel/articles/2011/02/07/20110207us-airways-baggage-fees-rise.html

As stated in previous threads, I have no problem with bag fees, overweight bag fees, oversize charges, all of that, because I understand the overall problems the airlines face.

But to think that it's, what's the word, justifiable to charge someone $90 bucks for a 51-pound bag, it has gotten out of hand. And now it's $175 for a 71-pound bag. That's a jump of 80% and 75%. I could see going to $60 and $110 as an increase, but wow, they are going for broke here.

I have got to think this won't last long, sort of like them charging $2 for an on board drink a few years ago.

See, even I have a heart :)

 

[SixToe]

People will complain but will pay it.

They do it because they know they can.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

The last time I flew it was because I was getting my travel costs reimbursed. The last few years I've driven multiple trips I would have flown before. Granted, I'm not going coast-to-coast or international, but I can't afford to fly to visit family anymore.

 

[BTExpress]

Lufthansa (no bag fee as long as you only check one) dinged me $130 for my one bag that was 6 kilos (14 pounds) overweight.

That was in addition to their $600 fees ("take it or stay in Russia") mentioned in an earlier thread.

I'll take a dinghy to Europe before I set foot on one of their planes again.

 

[wicked]

I actually fly more nowadays for a number of reasons, but mostly because JetBlue and Southwest take me wherever I need to go, and they do it efficiently. There's also no need to factor in bag fees or other nonsense; the price they quote me up front is what I'm paying.

 

[mustangj17]

I would never pay that. I'd throw out a pair of shoes, or something heavy before paying 100 extra bucks each way.

 

[Madhavok]

I'll stick with Southwest. They go where I go and the prices are right on par with everyone else and no bag fees.

 

[NightHawk112005]

Bag fees don't affect me. The next time I check one will be the first.

 

[imjustagirl]

You can't defend this?

You sound like your Tar Heels.


:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

 

[forever_town]

Thanks to these bag fees and all the other bull**** that comes with flying these days (including the TSA), if I can't get there quickly by car or by train, I ain't going.

 

[BTExpress]

I would never pay that. I'd throw out a pair of shoes, or something heavy before paying 100 extra bucks each way.

It was just one way. Wife packed a lot of personal items from homeland that she could not take when she first arrived.

 

[bydesign77]

IJAG=Dead. To. Me.

 

[NightHawk112005]

You know, actually, I kind of like the bag fees, because that makes fares a little lower for people like me who never check a bag. I stay off Southwest most times because they simply build the bag fees into their fares on a lot of flights I take. Charging for something everyone uses is wrong, but when it's optional like that, I don't mind.

 

[spnited]

You should be charged for carry-ons, not checked bags.

 

[2underpar]

interesting how they don't offer you a refund when they lose your luggage.

 

[BTExpress]

interesting how they don't offer you a refund when they lose your luggage.

What kind of a refund?

If you want a refund for the value of the items lost, I'm pretty sure you get that. It may be a hassle, and you may have to come up with an itemized list of its contents, but you are due compensation for whayever is lost.

If you want a refund for the flight, that's nuts. A bag going from New York to Moscow is not more valuable than that same bag going from New York to Buffalo.

 

[Dyno]

interesting how they don't offer you a refund when they lose your luggage.

What kind of a refund?

If you want a refund for the value of the items lost, I'm pretty sure you get that. It may be a hassle, and you may have to come up with an itemized list of its contents, but you are due compensation for whayever is lost.

If you want a refund for the flight, that's nuts. A bag going from New York to Moscow is not more valuable than that same bag going from New York to Buffalo.

I'm guessing he meant a refund of the one way bag fee.

 

[BTExpress]

In that case, it's probably just something no one thinks to pursue.

Most of your effort --- and the airlines' effort --- is pointed toward finding the bag and, failing that, figuring out what compensation is due if the bag is indeed lost.

But since the "bag fee" has already been paid, it's pretty much up to the passenger to press the issue and ask for it. Can't believe a refund would not be granted if it was asked for.

 

[MTM]

I would never pay that. I'd throw out a pair of shoes, or something heavy before paying 100 extra bucks each way.

We had that problem a few years ago. Our exchange student was flying back to Thailand and her bag was way overweight. When we asked if we could take a few items out, we were told if the bag was opened, we'd have to go through security again, the line she had just spent an hour in. We paid the $300 or so and sent her on her way.

 

[imjustagirl]

I would never pay that. I'd throw out a pair of shoes, or something heavy before paying 100 extra bucks each way.

We had that problem a few years ago. Our exchange student was flying back to Thailand and her bag was way overweight. When we asked if we could take a few items out, we were told if the bag was opened, we'd have to go through security again, the line she had just spent an hour in. We paid the $300 or so and sent her on her way.

Wait, who goes through security BEFORE checking bags? is that an international thing?