Airtran Charging for Second Bag

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Just an FYI for anyone flying or thinking about flying Airtran. I didn't see it anywhere else here, but I saw the All Ears newsletter last night that Airtran is going to start charging for a second checked bag. I went to the Airtran website and this is what it says:

Free Baggage Allowance
Through May 14, 2008 — For each fare-paying customer, AirTran Airways allows two (2) checked pieces free of charge, with size limitations. The maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 61 inches (length + width + height).

Effective May 15, 2008 — The charge for a second checked bag will be $10. For each fare-paying customer, AirTran Airways will allow one (1) checked piece free of charge, with size and weight limitations.

Military personnel may check one (1) duffel bag or sea bag in place of a 61-inch bag.

Any customer who requires use of a wheelchair may have it checked as baggage at no charge, and it will not be considered part of the passenger's free baggage allowance.

Free baggage allowance takes into consideration the reasonable baggage requirements of customers, as well as the cargo space and weight limitations of the aircraft. Customers desiring to carry more than permitted by the free allowance may do so, if pieces offered do not exceed the size and weight limits and the appropriate excess baggage is paid.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

See "Add AirTran to the list of Charging for 2nd Bag" at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1787585

 

[M2DD's]

As soon as one airline did this I thought all others would follow! At least its only $10 a bag instead of 25$. I wonder if they will count a stroller or car seat as a "second bag"

 

[stephanie23]

Now I booked my airfair last night and i checked the bag policy, it said 2 free bags. So since I booked under those rules I should be able to bring 2 free bags. Doesnt that make the most sence?

 

[M2DD's]

Now I booked my airfair last night and i checked the bag policy, it said 2 free bags. So since I booked under those rules I should be able to bring 2 free bags. Doesnt that make the most sence?

I'm not sure about Airtran but My DH booked his ticket for a delta flight back in february for his May 2nd flight. When I called a few wks ago I was told it didn't matter when the ticket was purchased.He still would have to pay for the second bag. I do know before for you finish your final transaction it does state the term and conditions may be subject to change. Or something like this.HTH

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Now I booked my airfair last night and i checked the bag policy, it said 2 free bags. So since I booked under those rules I should be able to bring 2 free bags. Doesnt that make the most sence?

AirTran announced the second bag fee and updated their website on April 11. So if you booked flights on AirTran last night, you booked after AirTran updated their website.

Most airlines that announced a second bag fee will only apply the fee to passengers who bought their tickets after their announcement.

But AirTran and Delta will apply the fee to any passenger, regardless of when the ticket was purchased. Shame on AirTran and Delta. Although what they're doing might be legal under their respective contracts of carriage, they're essentially retroactively raising prices on a nonrefundable product for anyone who expected to (or needed to) check two bags.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

See "Add AirTran to the list of Charging for 2nd Bag" at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1787585

Oops - sorry, I did try to search.

 

[M2DD's]

Most airlines that announced a second bag fee will only apply the fee to passengers who bought their tickets after their announcement.


I'm confused We booked and paided for our tickets for my DH's delta flight way before they announced or gave any indication on them charging for a second bag and when I called them directly I was told that it applied to anyone who bought or was going to buy their ticket if they were flying after May 1st and that it didn't matter when the ticket was purchased/paid for. Could I have spoken to an agent who was misinformed. We purchased the ticket the first wk in February.

 

[cbrfan]

Most airlines that announced a second bag fee will only apply the fee to passengers who bought their tickets after their announcement.


I'm confused We booked and paided for our tickets for my DH's delta flight way before they announced or gave any indication on them charging for a second bag and when I called them directly I was told that it applied to anyone who bought or was going to buy their ticket if they were flying after May 1st and that it didn't matter when the ticket was purchased/paid for. Could I have spoken to an agent who was misinformed. We purchased the ticket the first wk in February.

Delta, like AirTran, is charging regardless of when the tickets were purchased. I don't think it's good business, but I guess that's their right. They didn't ask my opinion, but I think it would have made more sense to apply it only to tickets purchased after the announcement.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Although cbrfan posted that I supposedly wrote a paragraph that began, "I'm confused," I actually wrote no such thing. That part of the quotation was from M2DD's.

In post #6, I wrote that most airlines that announced a second bag fee will only apply the fee to passengers who bought their tickets after their announcement, but that AirTran and Delta will apply the fee to any passenger, regardless of when the ticket was purchased.

My opinions of AirTran and Delta have gone down since they made this unethical move. I'm not opposed to a second-bag fee as part of an airline's pricing structure. But to apply the rule retroactively is slimy. Again, shame on AirTran and Delta.

AirTran and Delta could have followed the leadership of United, Northwest, US Airways, and Continental, which all announced the second-bag fee before AirTran and Delta, but which had the decency and good sense not to make it retroactive to tickets that had already been purchased.

 

[Charleyann]

We paid for what was advertised and offered when we purchased the tickets. How can they add an extra fee on for something that has already been paid for? Gosh, this gives the airlines the chance to add another fee on if they so wish and there is no consequences?

Charleyann

 

[cbrfan]

Although cbrfan posted that I supposedly wrote a paragraph that began, "I'm confused," I actually wrote no such thing. That part of the quotation was from M2DD's.

In post #6, I wrote that most airlines that announced a second bag fee will only apply the fee to passengers who bought their tickets after their announcement, but that AirTran and Delta will apply the fee to any passenger, regardless of when the ticket was purchased.

My opinions of AirTran and Delta have gone down since they made this unethical move. I'm not opposed to a second-bag fee as part of an airline's pricing structure. But to apply the rule retroactively is slimy. Again, shame on AirTran and Delta.

AirTran and Delta could have followed the leadership of United, Northwest, US Airways, and Continental, which all announced the second-bag fee before AirTran and Delta, but which had the decency and good sense not to make it retroactive to tickets that had already been purchased.

The very first line (up above the white box) clearly states that the quote was by M2DD's. It wasn't meant to be attributed to Horace Horsecollar. It's what came up when I hit the "quote" button. I apologize for any confusion.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

We too are in this boat we bought are tickets about six weeks ago, paid the 5.00 a person for picking a seat so we wouldn't be split up(which I personally think is crazy, if you buy your tickets together then why can't you just book your seats without a fee), and now this 2nd bag charge. I have three young kids, and we are going for 8 days......I just don't understand how its legal for them to change their conditions after I have paid in full.

 

[puffkin]

)

We too are in this boat we bought are tickets about six weeks ago, paid the 5.00 a person for picking a seat so we wouldn't be split up(which I personally think is crazy, if you buy your tickets together then why can't you just book your seats without a fee), and now this 2nd bag charge. I have three young kids, and we are going for 8 days......I just don't understand how its legal for them to change their conditions after I have paid in full.

I agree it stinks that they can change the terms after you buy your ticket. It should only apply to those who buy tickets after the change.

That being said, your kids look old enough in the picture to each have a seat. So, if you are a family of 5, that is 250 pounds of luggage you can take for free (5x50 lbs). That seems like plenty to me for 8 days

Just trying to stay real here (haha, can you tell I watch too much American Idol