Photo: Globe-trotter Ltd.
Everyone else in North American may have noticed the new (since June) airline baggage rules for domestic flights but I hadn't been affected by United Airlines luggage-as-profit-center pricing until last week. There is now a fee of $125 per bag for over-weight bags or for a third bag per passenger, increasing to $250 per bag for the fifth, sixth and seventh. If a passenger has an eighth bag it is probably less expensive to fly privately.
We of course carried an extra duffel with our snorkel gear and incurred a fee, reminding us that Federal Express, which is also in the luggage delivery business, would have delivered our duffel for a mere $79.
I have been told that the objective of the new fees is permit the airlines to display the lowest possible fares on the travel shopping sites but I am convinced it is all some strange conspiracy to force us to purchase new luggage. My existing bags are either too small for an extended trip or too large to limit to the fifty pound maximum that begins to incur a fee whenever, that is, the maximum is not seventy pounds. The ideal solution would be to carry the same amount in two smaller bags that I would have to purchase and that reminds me that the last time I was forced to buy luggage it was because the airlines had changed the allowable dimensions for carry-on.
This tangled web is another reason that Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America are doing to United what they initially did to British Air. That is, taking the traffic on the routes they fly.
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6 comments:
Those guys (United, American et al. are bandits.
On my trip to DFW last week I CRAMMED in tons of stuff into my 12 year old carry-on. I than proceeded to CRAM it in the overhead! Hence, no fees.Take that thieves.
Will-
Couldn't agree more. God forbid I should want to golf, snorkle, AND dress well when I travel to my family's home in Costa Rica!
Unfortunately, dealing with 2nd world counties, you don't have the luxury of FedEx, or any internal mail system. So, fortunately for Continental, and unfortunately for me, I am paying a premium to ensure I have the means to enjoy myself when at the Equator.
-Z.
What brand of luggage do you allow the airlines to manhandle?
Mulholland Brothers
One thing which makes for a protracted evening of synapse firing is trying to pack well and remain within the bounds of non-highway robbery luggage allowances.
While I travel a lot -- less these days, given the circumstances -- most of my travel historically has been of relatively sort duration. A garment bag, judiciously packed has always stood me in good stead.
Longer trips are for pleasure along and I am fortunate my car of choice was available with fitted luggage.
Which proves a Godsend when you consider its piddly little trunk.
The new baggage policies are outrageous, but just a reminder that Elite Tiers are treated better. United, for instance, appears to allow for their 1K and Global Services Members 3 x 32kg bags under the weight system, and three bags under the piece system, and on other Star Alliance Members they may get weight concessions, e.g. an extra 20kg or one additional piece on Lufthansa. One World Elite Tier Members have similar benefits, as probably has SkyTeam, but there are numerous variations so one has to check with the airlines prior to departing. It helps staying dressed well en route, but as we all have to use carriers at times that are outside our Alliance, the horrendous new fees remain a reason to take the car or train wherever possible, especially in the UK and Europe with its good train systems, especially in summer.
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