Delta hikes bag fees to $23 each bag, each way!

[jodifla]

a budget buster for sure!

 

[mrsklamc]

Yeah I think this is insane of them.

 

[Heidijs]

So does this effect Northwest as well? What a crock of ....

 

[kydisneyfans]

I have an idea!!! Maybe I should charge my wife and kid per suitcase when we take our SUV somewhere. $10 per bag sounds good.

This fee is stupid and is another reason not to fly anymore.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I saw this on the news this morning. It's $23 IF you pay for it online ahead of time. The second checked bag is $32! Again that is if the bag payment is paid online ahead of time. If someone waits until they get to the airport then it's even more to check the bags. Those are some big fee increases!

 

[NVDisMom]

All the more reason for the average vacation traveler to not fly with them. They must be counting pretty heavily on the business traveler.

 

[dex08]

All the more reason for the average vacation traveler to not fly with them. They must be counting pretty heavily on the business traveler.

Actually the business travelers get to check luggage for free if they are Elite level. I used to fly for work all the time and since I was at the lowest Elite level, I got first class upgrades all the time and 2 free checked bags.

I think it's the opposite -- they are counting on the average vacation traveler!

 

[maggiew]

I am glad I just booked with Southwest yesterday for our trip to Florida this summer. With 5 people going on a cruise, the number of bags can add up!!

If baggage fees continue to climb, we will just have to drive more.

Maggie

 

[Justsyd2]

Actually, I don't think that's bad. We paid $35 each way on Airtran. I was more than happy to pay it so that I could have my vacation stuff. It would have cost way more than $70 to buy what I had in that suitcase!

 

[jodifla]

Actually, I don't think that's bad. We paid $35 each way on Airtran. I was more than happy to pay it so that I could have my vacation stuff. It would have cost way more than $70 to buy what I had in that suitcase!

Airtran's web site says their bag fees are 15 each way

 

[mrsklamc]

Southwest has no plans to charge

 

[jrmasm]

Airtran's web site says their bag fees are 15 each way

That's what my DD's bag cost 2 weeks ago. Not sure where the $35 comes from.

 

[bananasplitkids]

Airtran is still $15 for the first checked bag. I just paid that on Sunday. Maybe she checked 2 bags perhaps?

 

[luvmy3]

If I was to compare it to Airtran, its only $16 more for a round trip. Thats not really enough to be a deal breaker for me, even with a family of 5. I would still just book with whoever is the cheapest, only difference is that instead of just finding the lowest fare I now have ti find the lowest total with the baggage fee. I drove across the country once, there is no price too high for me to fly

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

So, can I just buy a giant hockey duffle, stuff 120lbs worth of stuff into it and the buy it a seat next to me? Might be cheaper than 3 suitcases ...

 

[Magic Mom]

DS flew Delta this weekend, and they didn't charge him anything for his bag. I wonder why.

 

[PinkRhombus]

Actually the business travelers get to check luggage for free if they are Elite level. I used to fly for work all the time and since I was at the lowest Elite level, I got first class upgrades all the time and 2 free checked bags.

I think it's the opposite -- they are counting on the average vacation traveler!

You don't have to be on business though, right, as long as you have elite status?

My husband is and I guess we could get by with two of our large suitcases and each take on a carryon...even the kids.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

since my next Delta tickets were purchaed in April, at least I am locked into 15/25 and no ticket counter/curbside surcharge. DH is coming the following day on US Airways and he is Charimans level- guess what DH... you are going to be carting my extra bag with you since you get them free!

since I am getting no bonus % on my Disney Visa this quarter, I guess this seals the deal that I am going to get a Southwest credit card and see if I can earn some miles with them!

 

[Purseval]

Airtran is still $15 for the first checked bag. I just paid that on Sunday. Maybe she checked 2 bags perhaps?

It is still $15, for now. Delta is based in Atlanta, here is the article from our local paper Notice that for now these rates are just for domestic flights:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Delta Air Lines is again increasing its checked baggage fees, citing "continued economic pressures."

The higher fees take effect Tuesday for Delta passengers who booked their flights Jan. 5 or later and are checking bags on domestic flights. For those who pay the baggage fees when they check in online, the fees will be $23 for the first checked bag and $32 for the second checked bag. Those who pay the baggage fees at the airport ticket counter, kiosk or curbside will pay $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second.

US Airways had raised its maximum fees to those amounts last year. Continental is doing so later this week.

Until now at Delta, the fees have been $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for a second checked bag, with a $5 surcharge on each for travelers who didn't pay online.

"The increase is a result of the continued economic pressures on our business," Delta spokeswoman Susan Elliott said. Still exempt from the baggage fees are elite frequent fliers, first class and business class passengers, active military personnel on orders and those who buy full-fare coach tickets.

Elliott said Atlanta-based Delta's baggage fees "remain competitive."

AirTran Airways, which is based in Orlando and has its largest hub in Atlanta, still charges $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second. A spokesman did not immediately respond to a call for comment.

American Airlines and US Airways charge $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second. US Airways also has an extra $5 surcharge for paying the fees at the airport. United still charges $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second, with a $5 surcharge on each for paying at the airport.

Delta and other carriers started charging a fee for a second checked bag on domestic flights in 2008, then added a fee for the first checked bag later that year. Last year, Delta and other carriers added surcharges for paying the baggage fees at the airport and also started charging a second checked bag fee on many international flights.

 

[dex08]

You don't have to be on business though, right, as long as you have elite status?

My husband is and I guess we could get by with two of our large suitcases and each take on a carryon...even the kids.

Correct! As long as your husband has elite status, he can check in two bags free without any charge. If you are all traveling together and booked your flights at the same time and he's one of the travelers, then ALL OF YOU get to check 2 bags each! I found this out in Sept when DH and I flew to TN to visit my family and we were allowed to check 2 each!

OH.. and this was for Delta/NWA.