American Air charging for FIRST bag!!

[TexasBee]

Did y'all discuss this yesterday? It was the hot topic at work.

American Airlines is going to be charging for the FIRST checked bag starting June 15. It's going to be $15 for the first and $25 for the second. Seriously!?! A big to them.

I promptly booked my Disney trip on AirTran (let's hope they don't fold between now and November) and my BFF is threatening to fly in just her swimsuit and flipflops.

 

[disney_momma21]

Did y'all discuss this yesterday? It was the hot topic at work.

American Airlines is going to be charging for the FIRST checked bag starting June 15. It's going to be $15 for the first and $25 for the second. Seriously!?! A big to them.

I promptly booked my Disney trip on AirTran (let's hope they don't fold between now and November) and my BFF is threatening to fly in just her swimsuit and flipflops.

Haha!! People just might start doing that! Our trip is in September and we are on Delta. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they hold off on adding the new fee as well. But knowing my luck Delta will add it the day I fly!

 

[GothTink]

I was happy that AA had been the only airline not charging for a second bag, and then I heard this!

 

[inloveindisney]

I didn't hear the news about why they chose to do it, but I think I might be able to understand why. Still, it is a bit ridiculous imo.

 

[SweetAmy31]

I heard about this. They said that their theory is "It will encourage people to pack less, hence making less luggage, and less weight, which will make the plane use less fuel!" I swear! Thats what they said on the radio this morning!

Im flying to Chicago in August to visit my bro and I've already had to pay $200 bucks to rearrange the flight cause my BF is an idiot, so I best not have to pay $15 a case for the flight or I'll be spending the week in the same clothes!!!!

I realize fuel is expensive these days but then go after the fuel companies, not the customers!!!! It's already costing us enough! When is someone going to stand up to these fuel companies and seriously say "ok, we're done! You cant go any higher or ppl cant afford to get to their jobs!"

 

[blessedby3]

We flew Allegiant this past Jan and they charged for EVERY checked bag. Of course out tickets were really cheap, but I didnt like having to pay for each bag! It is getting crazy with the extremely high price of gas.

 

[mommytoone]

I am flying on Continental and they are charging for the second bag, but when I called they said as long as I had my tix purchased prior to this date that I can still check 2 bags for free. So I would call the airline and double check that you will be charged. It's worth a shot.

 

[GothTink]

"It will encourage people to pack less, hence making less luggage, and less weight, which will make the plane use less fuel!"

GAH! We're a family of four going for EIGHT days to a place where we'll be all sweaty. I had already planned on doing laundry--what do they want me to do, stuff enough clothes for four days in carry on bags??

 

[nyyankeegirl]

I heard about this. They said that their theory is "It will encourage people to pack less, hence making less luggage, and less weight, which will make the plane use less fuel!" I swear! Thats what they said on the radio this morning!

Im flying to Chicago in August to visit my bro and I've already had to pay $200 bucks to rearrange the flight cause my BF is an idiot, so I best not have to pay $15 a case for the flight or I'll be spending the week in the same clothes!!!!

I realize fuel is expensive these days but then go after the fuel companies, not the customers!!!! It's already costing us enough! When is someone going to stand up to these fuel companies and seriously say "ok, we're done! You cant go any higher or ppl cant afford to get to their jobs!"

I totally agree. This is just getting way out of hand. I guess I can kinda understand charging for the 2nd bag, but absolutely not for the 1st. For business travelers it's fine, since they use the pilot case carryons. But if you are going away for a weeks vacation, you are now starting off your vacation stressed out w/ trying to cram as much clothing into 1 suitcase. DH & I are heavy packers we are going to have to change our packing habits!
But pretty soon nobody is going to be able to afford to travel by plane or by car..........

 

[Jaymie]

We flew Allegiant this past Jan and they charged for EVERY checked bag. Of course out tickets were really cheap, but I didnt like having to pay for each bag! It is getting crazy with the extremely high price of gas.

We had the same thing with Spirit. But you can pay for your bags in advance for $5 per bag each way instead of $10 per bag each way.

 

[jennytablina]

I'm going with AA and paniced a little yesterday. Thankfully it doesnt kick in till July 12th so I still get my first bag free

Looks like on future flights to america I better pack light though

 

[Schmeck]

I realize fuel is expensive these days but then go after the fuel companies, not the customers!!!! It's already costing us enough! When is someone going to stand up to these fuel companies and seriously say "ok, we're done! You cant go any higher or ppl cant afford to get to their jobs!"

In order to say 'OK, we're done" you just have to stop buying fuel. The oil companies can charge whatever they want - that's the way it is in the USA. It's called supply and demand economics, capitalism, etc. How does an airline 'go after' the fuel companies anyways? With guns and grenades or somesuch?

 

[HGD24]

Starting June 1st, JetBlue is charging $20 for a 2nd checked bag, but if you booked before May 1st, when the new fee went into effect, you don't have to pay for the 2nd bag. Luckily we booked in mid-April.

I think charging for the 1st bag is asking too much. I wouldn't mind so much if they tacked on a few $$ to the cost of the ticket, but this just seems like they are nickle and diming people. I bet (and hope) they figure it out very soon and do away with the 1st bag fee.

 

[PADISFAM]

we need to NOT fly American, if AA does not see a decrease in their bookings, the rest of the airlines will follow suit & start charging for the
1st bag. 'packing light' won't cut it b/c without a doubt a 'surcharge' will be added for ANY baggage. I normally am not a 'doom gloom' kinda gal------however---desperate times......oh what a slippery slope we are heading to...

 

[design_mom]

I think charging for the 1st bag is asking too much. I wouldn't mind so much if they tacked on a few $$ to the cost of the ticket, but this just seems like they are nickle and diming people. I bet (and hope) they figure it out very soon and do away with the 1st bag fee.

I'm disappointed in the extra charges, too, and hope that other airlines don't follow suit (although I'm guessing they will.) But... I don't know. In some ways, I'd rather pay the luggage fee than have them raise the price of the ticket. Our family of four usually only checks 2 bags. I guess I'd rather pay the baggage fee for 2 bags instead of pay extra for all four tickets.

 

[sskem96]

I'm most concerned about how it will effect Magical Express. If you're using ME and checking your bags at the resort, they're only allowing you to check one bag now since most airlines are charging for the second bag. If the airlines start charging for the first bag, will we be able to check our luggage at the resort at all? I realize the airlines' expenses have gone up due to fuel prices, but I'd rather just pay $15 more for the ticket than have them charge for the first piece of luggage.

 

[WindyCityDisney]

We usually take a big bag and a smaller bag for each person. We don't have four huge-o suitcases, so it's never been a problem in the past. But now that practice would cost my family $320 extra round trip. That's a lot of $$.

I'm glad we bought tickets before the bag charges started. I'm really not sure what we'll do next time we can go to WDW.