Checking 13 bags......

[dudspizza]

Ok, I am not planning on checking 13 bags, but I had an interesting conversation with some friends a couple of days ago. They had moved out of town and were now back visiting for Christmas.

Anyways, they told me they were planning on checking 13 pieces of luggage with all of their Christmas gifls etc... in them. There are 4 people in their family. That is an average of 3+ per person in their group. The wife then followed it up with the comment that she didn't have to pay any fees because she had elite status. I was very surprised..... I could see 2 bags each free.... but a total of 13 at no charge? They also had carry ons with them. 4 people (2a, 2 k).

I can't help but wonder how everyone who pays for their first bag feels about it. I know she has status with the airline (Delta and the One World Alliance (edit... meant to say Sky Team, sorry), but I would never consider that type of thing...... Some will say that elite status entitles one to do this due to their loyalty, it just seemed like a lot for 1 family......

Thoughts?

 

[julierocks]

Elite status requires a lot, and I mean a LOT, of flights purchased with a particular airline. That means thousands and thousands of dollars given to the airline by that one person. I say she has every right to check as much as she wants for having elite status. Do I think everyone should get to check that much? No, but the way the airline is looking at it as a company, to loose her as a customer would have them loose money. Let me also say that I think no one should have to pay to check at least their first bag...

 

[drew64]

Your friend is full of it or pulling your leg. I am elite with all of the major US airlines - travel a lot for business.

elite gives your 2 free bags in coach or 3 in business class internationally, not 13 bags.

Airlines have a maximum number of bags that can be checked even when paying, the rest goes cargo and is paid for as such.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Or the friend is misinformed. drew64's explanation sounds right - so the friend gets to check three bags, her DH gets one free, each child gets one free... and they will be paying for the other eight. The friend must think her Elite status extends to her entire party.

 

[crashbb]

Your friend may very well not be full of it or misinformed. I can carry 4 pieces of luggage, for free due to my Elite status. The airline I fly doesn't charge anyone for either of the first two bags anymore though. But, even when they did charge for the second, I was allowed 4 free bags. And this status does extend to the entire party.

I don't think I've ever checked more than 2 bags.

 

[CarolA]

I think the wife is in for a SHOCK. I have elite status on Delta. I can check three bags free which is very generous. That 4th one would be COSTLY however LOL! ($200 for 4th bag and if you divide 13/4 SOMEONE has a 4th bag!) I don't think anyone traveling with me gets that same perk! I think they are on the baggage plan depending on when they bought the tickets.

Just did a search on www.flyertalk.com Delta's luggage benefit does not appear to extend to family members. This could be costly! LOL!

 

[Lewisc]

I can't help but wonder how everyone who pays for their first bag feels about it. I know she has status with the airline (Delta and the One World Alliance), but I would never consider that type of thing...... Some will say that elite status entitles one to do this due to their loyalty, it just seemed like a lot for 1 family......

Thoughts?

Anyone who flies enough to attain elite status is entitled to some extra "perks". I don't have a problem.

The Delta allowance is for 3 checked bags for passengers who fly first (or business) class. I agree with the PP, I think OPs friend misunderstand the elite baggage rules if they're flying coach.

 

[NotUrsula]

Do we even need to mention how foolish it is to check brand-new items in baggage at Christmas time? They can say bye-bye to those goodies that they are going to have to pay to check; 5 will get you 10 that at least some of them mysteriously disappear.

Tell her to wise up and call FedEx. They will come pick it all up and get it there insured; no airport hassles.

 

[NancyIL]

Do we even need to mention how foolish it is to check brand-new items in baggage at Christmas time? They can say bye-bye to those goodies that they are going to have to pay to check; 5 will get you 10 that at least some of them mysteriously disappear.

Tell her to wise up and call FedEx. They will come pick it all up and get it there insured; no airport hassles.

That's exactly what I was going to say, but you beat me to it!

 

[DebbieB]

From delta.com:

Will our Medallion members continue to be able to check an additional bag with no additional charge?
Medallion members traveling in the economy cabin will be permitted two bags free of charge up to 70 lbs. for each bag. All passengers traveling in First/Business Class cabin will still be allowed to check up to three bags up to 70 lbs. at no additional charge on Delta and Delta Connection-operated flights only.

Will SkyTeam Elite/ElitePlus customers be given an exception to the charge?
No. SkyTeam Elite/ElitePlus customers traveling in the economy cabin will be subject to the appropriate checked baggage fees.

By the way, Delta is part of Skyteam. OneWorld is American. If she has that mixed up, she could really be in for a surprise (unless she has both).

 

[dburg30]

Please keep us updated on this. Maybe go with them to the airport with a camera to get the reaction if they swear they can check them for free and you'll have the video reaction if they cant.

 

[bzzelady]

I would seriously consider packing them and shipping via UPS or Fedex rather than flying with them...
The baggage charges are going to far exceed the shipping charges back to home

 

[Jestocost]

Or the friend is misinformed. drew64's explanation sounds right - so the friend gets to check three bags, her DH gets one free, each child gets one free... and they will be paying for the other eight. The friend must think her Elite status extends to her entire party.

As an AA elite flyer I get to check two bags free and everyone on the reservation with me gets the same allowance. Not sure if Delta is the same or not. Either way, that gets you to eight free; not 13. If they all are booked in first/business class, maybe that gets them to 12?

 

[dudspizza]

From delta.com:

Will our Medallion members continue to be able to check an additional bag with no additional charge?
Medallion members traveling in the economy cabin will be permitted two bags free of charge up to 70 lbs. for each bag. All passengers traveling in First/Business Class cabin will still be allowed to check up to three bags up to 70 lbs. at no additional charge on Delta and Delta Connection-operated flights only.

Will SkyTeam Elite/ElitePlus customers be given an exception to the charge?
No. SkyTeam Elite/ElitePlus customers traveling in the economy cabin will be subject to the appropriate checked baggage fees.

By the way, Delta is part of Skyteam. OneWorld is American. If she has that mixed up, she could really be in for a surprise (unless she has both).

Sorry, I meant Sky Team. What I found interesting is that she said that her status allowed her entire party to her luggage allowance. She said they have done this before...... I should talk to her to see if they were able to check all the bags..... they did this last year, but that was before the luggage fees and such.

I just found the number 13 excessive..... happy travels everyone!

 

[lizziepooh]

I hope they have a large vehicle to get 13 suitcases and 4 people to the airport.

 

[uva185]

On US I can check 2 bags for free as well as anyone traveling with me.

On Delta as an elite I can check 3 70 lbs bags for free and I believe anyone on the same reservation as myself can check at least 2 if not 3 for free. If it is 3 for free then for 4 people that's 12 bags right there plus any carryons.

 

[brekin67]

If I ship my luggage ahead of time, do I have to put everything in a box, or can I just ship my suitcase, as is?

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can ship your suitcase, but you pay by weight. A box weighs less - usually MUCH less - than a suitcase.

 

[brekin67]

I think I am going to ship our luggage this year. I checked at USPS and it looks to be a better deal. Not sure where to find heavy duty boxes for shipping, does USPS sell those? TIA.

 

[uva185]

I think I am going to ship our luggage this year. I checked at USPS and it looks to be a better deal. Not sure where to find heavy duty boxes for shipping, does USPS sell those? TIA.

I would go to a moving company like U Haul. They sell plenty of large boxes suitable for shipping.