I do not like the new baggage limits!

[tchrrx]

We leave early tomorrow morning. My DH is wanting to golf, so his clubs count as his suitcase. That leaves us with only 2 regular suitcases. Since we're doing the private photo shoot and some nice dinners, we have to pack dress shoes & clothes along with our shorts & stuff. My 2 suitcases are both weighing in at 48 pounds! I have no idea what to do with the souveniors that I know we'll want to buy. I'm taking an empty duffel bag with us and I think we'll just pay the $25 extra baggage fee to bring it home full. It's either that or have everything shipped home, which I figure would probably cost about the same amount. I do not like the new baggage limits!!!!

 

[OKW Lover]

Would your husband consider renting clubs? I know they offer rental clubs at the Disney courses.

 

[tchrrx]

We thought about that. However, he's playing twice, so it would actually cost more.

 

[uva185]

In the grand scheme of things $50 (roundtrip) for an extra bag is not a terrible price. It's the equivalent to an extra $16 per ticket. If you need an extra bag for nicer clothes for your photo shoot just bring it.....you will be glad you did if the photos turn out nicer.

Another option is to use a garment bag as your carryon. You are allowed a small bag + a personal item for each person. That can amount to a lot of extra baggage.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If you bought your tickets before your airline announced their new baggage rules, you are "grandfathered" under the old rules.

Originally, AirTran and Delta claimed that they had the right to apply the new rules to tickets that has been purchased under the old rules. The other airlines that changed their rules had the decency to exempt tickets that had been purchased before before a specific date.

The Department of Transportation issued a notice, “Guidance on Disclosure of Policies And Charges Associated with Checked Baggage,” on May 13, 2008, one part of which reads:

"In no case should more restrictive baggage policies or additional charges be applied retroactively to a consumer who purchased his or her ticket at a time when the charges did not apply, or when a lower charge applied. Whatever the contract of carriage provides regarding free baggage as of the date of each ticket sale is binding on the carrier. The Aviation Enforcement Office considers any carrier practice that violates its contract of carriage provisions to constitute an unfair and deceptive trade practice in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 41712."​

See http://www.dot.gov/affairs/aviation080516/baggagefeenotice.htm

So, aside from demonstrating that they have disgusting business ethics and utter contempt for their customers, AirTran and Delta didn't get away with their scam.

 

[tchrrx]

We've had our tickets for at least 6 months. I know this is before the baggage fee was instated. How do I go about proving that I bought them before that time? What will I need to take with me to the airport? (We're flying Delta.)

 

[CarolA]

Call Delta and tell them that you are aware of the DOT ruling and that IF they do not give you an exemption you will file a complaint with the DOT and your Credit Card company (you must use this card to pay the fees)

I just checked their website and they haven't changed the verbage so my bet is they are hoping folks won't notice.

If they still charge file the complaint with the DOT. AirTran is refunding and I expect DL will too. (The complaint form is on the DOT page Horace linked to I think, if not it's on the home page)

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We've had our tickets for at least 6 months. I know this is before the baggage fee was instated. How do I go about proving that I bought them before that time? What will I need to take with me to the airport? (We're flying Delta.)

Your record in Delta's computer system shows the date that the tickets were purchased. I think there's a 99% chance that the agent checking your bags will not try to charge you for a second bag (because of when you bought you tickets). If the agent tries to charge you anyway, just remind the agent to check when you bought your tickets. If the agent is unaware of the DOT notice, as for a supervisor.

It can't hurt to print out and bring the DOT "Guidance on Disclosure of Policies And Charges Associated with Checked Baggage" notice, but you probably won't need.

In the unlikely case that they insist on charging the fee, pay by credit card. When you sign the receipt, add a notation that the airline is violating Federal law. Then dispute your credit card bill. And file a formal complaint with the Department of Transportation. But I don't think it will come to this.

Next time you buy airline tickets, remember that you have a choice. Delta and AirTran don't deserve your money because their management lacks the ethics to treat customers fairly, unless they're forced to by the Federal Government.

 

[tchrrx]

In the grand scheme of things $50 (roundtrip) for an extra bag is not a terrible price. It's the equivalent to an extra $16 per ticket. If you need an extra bag for nicer clothes for your photo shoot just bring it.....you will be glad you did if the photos turn out nicer.

Another option is to use a garment bag as your carryon. You are allowed a small bag + a personal item for each person. That can amount to a lot of extra baggage.

My DH is highly amused that someone else is telling me that it's well worth the $50 to not be stressed out! We have the suitcases already loaded in the car. However, I think I'm going to go ahead & grab another from the attic. I was going to grab a little from each of the other suitcases & throw it in the new one. Now, I realize that one of my carry-on bag is stuff I really don't need, I just packed carry-on to have the extra space. So, I can just throw that bag into the larger suitcase & call it good.

DISBOARDS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!! Horace Horsecollar- thanks so much for the great advice about how to handle it if they try charging us. My trip was off to a stressful start, but you all have calmed my nerves so much. Thank you!!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Are golf clubs not usually over 50 lbs? I don't pack them, myself, but I always thought that they were both normally both overweight AND oversized, so that you always had to pay to check them. The maximum combined size for a free bag is 62 linear inches -- if L + W + H is greater than that, you have to pay the oversize fee.

 

[tchrrx]

You don't have to pay extra for clubs unless they are over 50 lbs. DH's usual golf bag is heavy. However, he has a lighter one that we travel with and he doesn't take quite as many clubs as he usually carries.

 

[kateonice]

i hate it. i take spirit airlines which is supposed to be a discount airline but the last two years theyve started charging for everything including any luggage so it ends up costs just as much as the regular airlines. this economy is killing us

 

[tazdev3225]

I actually fought Air Tran and won the baggage restriction before the DOT ruling. I will be sure to bring copies of both and will be prepared to consider a lawyer if they dare try and charge for the second bag. I will also bring two bags for me DH and DGS for the principal involved.

 

[WillCAD]

Have your purchases shipped home instead of packing them in your luggage. You wouldn't want any fragile stuff in your checked bags, anyway.

You might also consider shipping the golf clubs one way or the other.

 

[Lewisc]

I actually fought Air Tran and won the baggage restriction before the DOT ruling. I will be sure to bring copies of both and will be prepared to consider a lawyer if they dare try and charge for the second bag. I will also bring two bags for me DH and DGS for the principal involved.

Why consult a lawyer? HH already suggested a credit card reversal as the easiest solution.

I'm not sure what principal your talking about. IF you need two bags take them but if you don't need two bags what are you're proving if you take two. You have to drag them to the airport.

 

[CarolA]

I actually fought Air Tran and won the baggage restriction before the DOT ruling. I will be sure to bring copies of both and will be prepared to consider a lawyer if they dare try and charge for the second bag. I will also bring two bags for me DH and DGS for the principal involved.

Well you win a prize. The waste of your money award!

Only in America is the ONLY way to deal with an issue "call a lawyer"

 

[sassystamper31]

How about just not packing so much?

Two medium suitcases for two people is plenty.

 

[goofy4tink]

This is the way air travel is going to be people...best get used to it! We, as Americans, tend to pack way too much. We just have to have everything we could conceivably need with us...just in case. When I traveled to WDW with my 31 y/o dd in Jan, I could not beleive the stuff she brought. I mean, come on...a hair dryer?? I told her they have hair dryers in WDW but she said..just in case, better safe than sorry. And shoes? Who needs 5 pair of flip-flops in addition to 5 other pair of shoes?? My dd, that's who. She said it was about having choices. And clothes?? Man, this girl brough the equivalent of 3 outfits a day...just so she could have a choice. And heaven forbid she pack clothes that were the same color grouping.

So....with the extra expense of checked bags, we would do better to travel more lightly. Plan on doing some laundry on vacation. It's not the most fun, but sometimes it's just part of the trip. If I stay anywhere for more than 5 days, I do laundry.

I would much rather the airlines charge each individual extra for 'x' number of checked bags vs just raising all the fares. If someone chooses to bring two bags to be checked, for each member of the family, then they are going to have to figure that into their travel budget. I tend to check maybe two bags for three people if we are going to be gone for a week. No way do I want to subsidize the costs for those who choose to pack more bags.

I do understand the confusion that if prevalent out there due to the airlines charging for bags but travelers booked their flights before these mandates came out. Just do the homework...be informed. That way you won't end up being charged for something you shouldn't be charged for. Be sure the airlines honor what they have said they will do.

 

[Lewisc]

How about just not packing so much?

Two medium suitcases for two people is plenty.

In general I agree but the OP hit two of the exceptions. Some people are on a vacation which requires sports equipment. The OP wants to check golf clubs. A similar issue occurs when a passenger is on a ski vacation. The OP is having some kind of private photo shoot that requires extra dress clothing. People going on a cruise or to a wedding have these issues.

Passengers in that position just need to plan on paying to check extra bags. Over the long haul we probably come out ahead with the new policy. People bring less stuff and airlines can make a few extra dollars with freight.

 

[CarolA]

The thing I have learned about "lots" of baggage is that it does COST you more.

And it's not just the cost of the "fees" it's the cost in my energy, time, effort etc. It's the cost of tipping skycaps or bellman because you can't easily handle the pile of junke you brought. It's the cost of having to reserve a bigger car to hold all the junke. It's the cost of losing things because with the luggage, carryons etc someone "forgot" something (Don't believe me I know a woman who got confused and just "left" a brand new Mac sitting on a curb! She was lucky, it was turned in and she got it back.. )

It's the fact that it's 100 plus degrees in Orlando and you have to haul this junke around with sweat dripping off you.

It's the issue that when DL cancels your flight and rebooks you on AA you waste extra time hauling this mess to the other airline...

And when you get home.. How much of this "just in case" did you really use?

Sporting good are one thing, but I have traveled to weddings, on cruises with "formal" nights etc and didn't need more luggage!