$20 Carry-On Bag Fee on Spirit Airlines

[WaltD4Me]

If the airlines are having a problem with people bringing bags that are too big onto the plane they should enforce the rules, not charge people money and then allowing them to break them. If a bag is too big to fit tell them they need to go back and check it or charge them to do curbside check.

Because, enforcing their own rules won't make them any money. They could do what you said, but they can make alot more money in fees this way. Like someone up thread said, they don't care if the carry-on is too big, this is just another gouge.

 

[FireDancer]

Because, enforcing their own rules won't make them any money. They could do what you said, but they can make alot more money in fees this way. Like someone up thread said, they don't care if the carry-on is too big, this is just another gouge.

Ding Ding Ding.

The "positive spin" that this is about getting the number and/or size of carry on bags down can't hold up once you think it out. If the same goal can be accomplished without charging us more money and it is not then it is a money grab, plain and simple.

The unfortunate thing is that restricting the carry on size will increase revenue, just not as much. The people who's bags are too big will have to check them. Only people with bags small enough to fit the proper dimensions will avoid the fees. It would also avoid the bad press that the proposed fee is getting. If it is just enforcing existing rules it doesn't come off as gouging the customers. Of course if they all do it then it washes out anyway, at least as far as airline to airline competition is concerned.

Hopefully people will boycott Spirit, but history hasn't shown that to be the case. They don't fly out of or into anywhere near me so I wouldn't take them anyway.

 

[aspen37]

I think it is crazy! Where I fly from I don't have a choice of airlines, it's United or Frontier. My average flight is $420-$440 without baggage fees.
I agree with some of the others that they should stop them before they get on the plane and make them gate check items or go back to the counter and check the item in.

In May I was flying Continental from Orlando to Las Vegas and those women at the gate were grate. They chased down someone who would not listen and made them gate check extra bags.

Here is a funny Ad from Jetblue.




April 6, 2010
Spirit Airlines to charge for carry-on luggage

Included in a press release announcing a fare sale, Spirit Airlines also announced today that they are now charging for carry-on luggage for travel effective August 1. The airline justifies the new fees as an attempt to, “improve inflight safety and efficiency by speeding up the boarding and deplaning process.”

In case you were wondering, JetBlue will continue to offer a free first checked bag, not to mention that you can bring your Mickey Mouse ears, your magazine collection, your favorite wrinkle-free slacks, and your lunch onboard, and enjoy free use of the overhead bins and more legroom than any other airline in its class.

But for those times when you can’t travel on JetBlue, we recommend you check out our expertly-crafted Extrago Sherpa Shirt*, special outerwear that we designed to hold “an entire trip’s worth of necessities, including the money you’ll save by not checking or carrying on your bag.” (see below for image)

*not actually available for retail sale

 

[spokanemom]

I think it is crazy! Where I fly from I don't have a choice of airlines, it's United or Frontier. My average flight is $420-$440 without baggage fees.
I agree with some of the others that they should stop them before they get on the plane and make them gate check items or go back to the counter and check the item in.

In May I was flying Continental from Orlando to Las Vegas and those women at the gate were grate. They chased down someone who would not listen and made them gate check extra bags.

Here is a funny Ad from Jetblue.




April 6, 2010
Spirit Airlines to charge for carry-on luggage

Included in a press release announcing a fare sale, Spirit Airlines also announced today that they are now charging for carry-on luggage for travel effective August 1. The airline justifies the new fees as an attempt to, “improve inflight safety and efficiency by speeding up the boarding and deplaning process.”

In case you were wondering, JetBlue will continue to offer a free first checked bag, not to mention that you can bring your Mickey Mouse ears, your magazine collection, your favorite wrinkle-free slacks, and your lunch onboard, and enjoy free use of the overhead bins and more legroom than any other airline in its class.

But for those times when you can’t travel on JetBlue, we recommend you check out our expertly-crafted Extrago Sherpa Shirt*, special outerwear that we designed to hold “an entire trip’s worth of necessities, including the money you’ll save by not checking or carrying on your bag.” (see below for image)

*not actually available for retail sale

Anna, that is hysterical!!! Will you be using that for the ABD trip next week? Since ABD only allows one piece of luggage, this may just work for the extra space needed after shopping...

 

[aspen37]

Anna, that is hysterical!!! Will you be using that for the ABD trip next week? Since ABD only allows one piece of luggage, this may just work for the extra space needed after shopping...

I won't be be buying a bunch of stuff, but Kathy might need it! I can't believe that the trip is next week.

 

[jeanigor]

I just got an e-mail from Spirit about this. I will copy the letter.

The letter was titled:
Message from Spirit Airlines CEO about the carry-on crisis

To our valued customers,

We have all seen how carry-on baggage has gotten out of control. Longer security lines and boarding process, injuries due to overcrowded overhead bins, delayed flights and passenger frustration has become commonplace.

At Spirit, we are always looking for new ways to save you money and improve the customer experience. We recently announced our latest innovation, which is designed to relieve the carry-on crisis, saving you time and money.

Our solution to the carry-on crisis:

1. Lowered fares
2. Lower checked bag fees
3. Give everyone a free personal item allowance
4. Allow customers to carry on an additional bag for a fee and give them
priority boarding so they have time and space to stow their extra bag

Everyone Wins!

1. We expect total prices to be lower
2. Security lines will move faster
3. The boarding process will be smoother
4. Deplaning will be faster
5. Passenger and employee safety is improved with less over-stuffed bins

What to expect for travel after August 1st:

1. We have introduced PENNY PLUS™ fares available to our $9 Fare Club members** that are 1¢ each way plus fuel, taxes and fees*. If you are not already a member, click here to join.
2. We have lowered checked bag fees for $9 Fare Club members. A family of four checking four bags round-trip will save $80. Double the cost of being a $9 Fare Club member. Another reason to join now. Click here to join.
3. You can bring a FREE personal item onboard, such as a purse, briefcase, backpack or laptop computer. Other exceptions are: assistive devices, medicine, umbrella, outer garments (coats, hats, wraps), camera, car seat/stroller, infant diaper bag, reading material for the flight, or food for immediate consumption.
4. If you choose to bring an extra carry-on bag, you may do so for $20 if purchased online as a $9 Fare Club member or $30 online, at the airport ticket counter or kiosk for non-members. If you choose to wait until the gate to pay, the fee will be $45 which is not preferred since it will slow the boarding process.
5. Shorter, faster security and boarding lines. Less frustration while boarding and deplaning. Fewer delays.
6. Happier customers that pay less!

See you onboard soon! We’ll keep working to improve your experience and lower your fare.

Ben Baldanza
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spirit Airlines

Not sure this will make anyone any happier.

 

[Phoenixblue]

The carry-on crisis (que crisis music) . . . that only occurred because airlines began charging so much for luggage, is now going to be solved by charging for carry-ons as well.

I think the 'personal items' will now just get bigger and heavier. People will have personal items that are exactly as big as allowed, and will pack them even tighter.

 

[lugnut33]

I love it, lower the check-in bag fee by $5, but raise the carry-on fee by $20 to $45. Everyone is saving money. LOL. It's called revenue enhancer.

Same as when Disney starts charging a parking fee at all its resorts.

 

[Sphyrna]

Gotta love that marketing spin they put on things!! We're going to SAVE you money by CHARGING you!!!

But I guess it would help those who travel light.

It's interesting that those with paid carryons get priority boarding. I guess it's good to help them get their items put away and make boarding faster. But I wonder if we'll still see people boarding at the last minute with big overstuffed duffel bags.

 

[anotherdisneygal]

It's nonsense. I'm going to let spirit know exactly how I feel about it and not fly them anymore. I'm sure that I'm not alone.

 

[Sphyrna]

I just heard on the news on the drive home from work that the government is looking into stepping on on carryon bag fees. They feel the airline fees are getting out of hand. I guess they're going to see if there's anything the administration can do and if not, pass a law on the matter.