DL baggage policy!

[tkldisney]

Just read this today on Delta.com


For tickets purchased on or after July 16, 2009 for travel on or after August 4, 2009 there will be a $5 surcharge on each of the first two checked bags when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. There is no surcharge for bags prepaid during online check-in at delta.com.

 

[all4disney98]

I was just going to start a thread and ask how it works in paying for your baggage when flying Delta

I booked about a month ago so I don't think this new policy will apply to us but does anyone know how this works for both on line check in as well as if we choose to pay when we get to the airport?

Also, how does this work for the flight home from Disney - do we prepay?

Thanks for your help!

 

[MAH4546]

I applaud this move. It encourages purchasing in advance, and then people start to freak out, "oh no, but what if I'm not able to put everything into my carry-on!" and reserve bags in advance.

It helps to keep bulky luggage out of the overhead compartments and speed up the check in process. I can't imagine what its like to fly to Orlando - what a disaster those flights must be!

 

[DebbieB]

I applaud this move. It encourages purchasing in advance, and then people start to freak out, "oh no, but what if I'm not able to put everything into my carry-on!" and reserve bags in advance.

It helps to keep bulky luggage out of the overhead compartments and speed up the check in process. I can't imagine what its like to fly to Orlando - what a disaster those flights must be!

I think it's the opposite - the baggage charge causes more people to stuff all they can into a carry-on and squeeze it into the overhead. A family of 4 will drag on 4 carry-ons plus 4 personal items (backpacks) so that they can avoid checking bags.

 

[uva185]

I was just going to start a thread and ask how it works in paying for your baggage when flying Delta

I booked about a month ago so I don't think this new policy will apply to us but does anyone know how this works for both on line check in as well as if we choose to pay when we get to the airport?

Also, how does this work for the flight home from Disney - do we prepay?

Thanks for your help!

You can pay online during the check-in process. So while in Disney you would have to check in on a laptop or Disney computer or check in from your phone or blackberry provided the mobile site is working (which it hasn't been for the past few days!!)

 

[MAH4546]

I think it's the opposite - the baggage charge causes more people to stuff all they can into a carry-on and squeeze it into the overhead. A family of 4 will drag on 4 carry-ons plus 4 personal items (backpacks) so that they can avoid checking bags.

That is the effect of just having a one-tier baggage fee charge.

Having a two-tier system counterbalances those effects, which is why this is an excellent move.

 

[Tozzie]

That is the effect of just having a one-tier baggage fee charge.

Having a two-tier system counterbalances those effects, which is why this is an excellent move.

How exactly is it balancing anything, people don't want to pay period so they will continue to bring whatever they can get away with on board. It won't counter balance anything at all.

 

[DebbieB]

That is the effect of just having a one-tier baggage fee charge.

Having a two-tier system counterbalances those effects, which is why this is an excellent move.

I think you are misunderstanding. It will be $15 for the first bag if you check-in online or $20 if you check-in at the curb. People will not want to pay either.

 

[Brian Noble]

I can't imagine what its like to fly to Orlando - what a disaster those flights must be!

On the "Northwest" flight I took down this past Saturday (on a Delta-painted plane, with Delta-uniformed FAs and the same baggage policies) there was *more* overhead room than there usually is on the more "business-oriented" routes I normally fly. Same was true on the flights I took down and back in February (though then there were still a few grandfathered passengers.)

The whole "everyone will carry on to avoid charges!" thing just hasn't been true in my experience for leisure routes. For the most part, people just seem to be paying up.

 

[brekin67]

I do not like this. I used to not take a carry on bag. Now I stuff as much as I can in it, then stuff into my personal bag...It is too crowded on the plane now. Luggage under the seats, the overhead bins are full. I need to lose weight and fly SWA.

 

[MAH4546]

I think you are misunderstanding. It will be $15 for the first bag if you check-in online or $20 if you check-in at the curb. People will not want to pay either.

I am not misunderstanding anything.

It counterbalances.

When there is a single $15 charge, the passenger thinks: "There is no need to prepay. If I do need to check-in bags, I will do it at check-in."

When there is a two-tier charge, where it is more to decide later, the passenger thinks: "I'm not sure if I will need to check-in a bag. But I might have to. Maybe I'll play it safe and book one bag in advance."

It therefore creates a counter-balancing effect. This is why the airlines are doing this two-tier level. Rational consumer behavior under the one-tier structure leads to paying the baggage fee at check-in. Rational consumer behavior in the two-tier structure leads the consumer to asks to place a value on the chance that the consumer will not check-in a bag. If that value is $5 or more, then they will pay the fee in advance. But since consumers tend to place a high value on saving money, many will see that value as greater than $5.

Excellent idea, I applaud them. The amount of people trying to sneak on bags that are obviously not carry-on onto planes has gotten out of control. Its funny people complain about baggage fees, but also complain that fares aren't cheap enough when airline fares are cheaper today, not only adjusted for inflation but also in actual dollars than they were in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s or 1990s.

The next appropriate step is for airlines to reduce the size of allowed carry-ons and/or enforce weight limits on carry-ons, as is done in Europe.