Help needed with RAC, please

[Bete]

Somehow, I remember you have to pay for your luggage ahead of time on airlines that require a baggage fee in order to use RAC. RAC won't let you pay on the spot, right?

Also, I remember there's a phone number to call; so, you can charge the fees ahead of time.

Can someone explain this a little better for me.

Also, may I have the phone number to pay the luggage fees if using RAC?

 

[amomma23]

The last time we paid baggage fees was in 2010, so someone may correct me... The evening before check out, we received a letter on our door with our pick up time for ME and boarding passes. In the letter there was a note with the phone number to call and pay. We called first thing on the morning of check out, then when we were ready, just took our bags to RAC and headed to a park until pick up time.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

With some airlines, it's better to pay the baggage fee directly with the airline ahead of time. Also, there are a number of ways to avoid baggage fees entirely, including using some airline credit cards, flying certain classes of service, or having elite frequent flyer status. Also, Southwest has no baggage fees (within limits).

You still need to pay fees, you must must call Baggage Airline Guest Services, the company that operates Resort Airline Check–in (RAC), ahead of time.

From Frequently Asked Questions - Complimentary Airport Service

How is Resort Airline Check–in affected by airline baggage fees?

Fees vary by airline. Guests should inquire with their specific airline as to what fees might apply. Guests must contact Baggage Airline Guest Services at (407) 284-1231 to pay any airline fees in advance of visiting the Resort Airline Check-In desk, which will have a record of the payment transaction. Airline luggage fees cannot be collected at the check-in desk. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.​

 

[karly05]

This was my first time using RAC, so I may have just gotten lucky, but... Feb, 2012, I was not going to use RAC because I didn't want to hassle with having to call to pay my baggage fee. When I went outside the BC to wait for my ME bus first thing in the morning, the gentleman at the RAC counter asked if I wanted to go ahead and check my bag - I asked about the bag fee, and he was able to process it right there. So, yes indeed thank you very much, I checked my bag.

I had always read that you had to call ahead, but that was not my experience. Not sure what others have found to be the case.

 

[Bete]

With some airlines, it's better to pay the baggage fee directly with the airline ahead of time. Also, there are a number of ways to avoid baggage fees entirely, including using some airline credit cards, flying certain classes of service, or having elite frequent flyer status. Also, Southwest has no baggage fees (within limits).

You still need to pay fees, you must must call Baggage Airline Guest Services, the company that operates Resort Airline Check–in (RAC), ahead of time.

From Frequently Asked Questions - Complimentary Airport Service

How is Resort Airline Check–in affected by airline baggage fees?

Fees vary by airline. Guests should inquire with their specific airline as to what fees might apply. Guests must contact Baggage Airline Guest Services at (407) 284-1231 to pay any airline fees in advance of visiting the Resort Airline Check-In desk, which will have a record of the payment transaction. Airline luggage fees cannot be collected at the check-in desk. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.​

I appreciate the info.

 

[Missytara]

The FAQ does not appear to be up-to-date as usual. Since late 2010, I have been able to pay my fees right at the RAC counter. 2009 was the last time I had to call ahead.

We even had someone from the military last year; it automatically came up in the computer he was allowed three checked bags free. He did not even have to show his ID.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The FAQ does not appear to be up-to-date as usual. Since late 2010, I have been able to pay my fees right at the RAC counter. 2009 was the last time I had to call ahead.

We even had someone from the military last year; it automatically came up in the computer he was allowed three checked bags free. He did not even have to show his ID.

It's good to know that the RAC counter can accept payment for baggage fees, despite what Disney's official FAQ says.

The RAC employees have visibility to the airlines' passenger check-in records, just like skycaps at the airport. If a passenger has already paid the baggage fees or is not required to pay any reason (such as First Class, elite frequent flyer, military travel, or airline credit card benefits), the RAC employee will know it.

 

[Bete]

and they said any luggage fees can be paid right when you RAC. You don't have to do it in advance. I will check when I get there, but that's great news to me.

Infact, she stated you never had to really do it in advance. They wanted you to do it ahead of time to help the line move faster. Now, they tell us this.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Infact, she stated you never had to really do it in advance. They wanted you to do it ahead of time to help the line move faster. Now, they tell us this.

When several airlines first introduced baggage fees, they did so rather quickly. It caught Baggage Airline Guest Services (BAGS Inc.) off-guard. BAGS Inc. had no facilities for cash or credit card transactions at its RAC counters. At first, when only United Airlines had fees, RAC users did not have to pay United baggage fees.

Then RAC quickly introduced the process for guests to call a toll-free line with a credit card.

It worked well and the check-in process was not slowed down by a payment process, so there appeared to be no hurry to change it.