Military Baggage on US Airways

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

US Airways policy is that active duty military can check up to three pieces of baggage up to 100 lbs each, free of charge. Their regular policy is $15 a bag, and 50 lb limit.

There will be 5 of us, so we plan on stuffing everything into 3 bags, and our big one often goes over 50 lb.

Has anyone had experience with DME knowing that active duty military don't need to pay the baggage fees, or that there is a higher weight limit, or will DME not understand this, and result in problems?

Thanks.

 

[locolala]

Have you travelled recently? The last time we flew, most airlines only transported your baggage for free if you are going somewhere on orders. I would look into it, I ahven't flown with US Airways in a long time, so I don't know if they do it anytime or just for orders/

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We actually flew on US Airlines 3 weeks ago. Had three bags, one of them weighed 55 lbs (the lady who checked us in joked we were light packers as we had 45 lbs to spare), and didn't pay a dime for baggage.

Their website says all active duty military have this privilege.

 

[TagsMissy]

i believe it's for active duty on orders; or that is what it's supposed to be. you may have gotten lucky with the agent

 

[DebbieB]

From the USAirways website:

Some passengers are exempt** from the first and second checked bag fee, but not any applicable weight fees:

All Dividend Miles Preferred members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman's Preferred)
Passengers traveling to and from Europe, or to and from Asia
Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members
Unaccompanied minors (with US Airways unaccompanied minor paid assistance)
Confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers at time of check-in
Active U.S. military personnel with ID (first through third bag up to 100 lbs/45 kg each free of charge)
Baggage fees and rules of the operating carrier apply on all flights operated by one of our codeshare partners.

http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/baggage/baggagepolicies.aspx

I really think the intention is for transporting military duffle bags but they don't say that.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I would call them and verify that they will honor that policy without duty orders. Their webiste used to be very clear about needing to show travel orders in order to receive the baggage exemption.

Maybe they have changed the policy- or maybe it is an accidental omission that they will choose not to overlook.

Better to know in advance than when in line at the airport.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I before flying on US Airways 3 weeks ago, I did call them, and they confirmed the policy is for all active duty, no orders are needed or required. When I went to the airport, I asked how we are supposed to check in with the military baggage. They asked to see the military ID. The woman at the ticket counter started to check us in, then she realized she didn't remember how to do it, so called a supervisor over. He asked her if we had military ID (not orders), and proceeded to check our baggage in.

I don't understand why the PPs don't believe the policy is written exactly the way they mean it to be written. And, I could be wrong here, the posts came across like they were accusing me with trying to get away with something.

Anyway, all of this is actually

Assuming the US Airways policy is as it is written on line, does anyone know if DME has any experience with it, and how I would check my baggage with DME on the return flight, and if they would accept a 50 lb+ bag, per the airline policy?

 

[Order66]

I don't have experience with US or DME but our family flew Continental to Orange County airport/Disneyland a few months ago. I'm sure US Air means any service member flying for any reason. Continental does it as well. Though they are a little more clear on their military rules and do specificly state AD get 3 bags free on orders or personal travel. Dependents on the same ressie with their sponsor also are allowed 3 free bags each on personal travel. When I did our online check in I had to check no/not sure on checking bags because the fees had to be waived at the counter with ID shown. I would make a guess that US Air is the same due to ID being necessary. You're probably going to have to take your bags on ME with you and check them in at the counter. More work, but more savings.

regards

 

[TagsMissy]

I am not trying to accuse you of anything, you assumed that. I am a spouse of someone actively serving in the military for 20+ years; usually those exceptions are for those on orders; if they apply to any travel then kudos to you!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't understand why the PPs don't believe the policy is written exactly the way they mean it to be written. And, I could be wrong here, the posts came across like they were accusing me with trying to get away with something.

Respectfully, you are wrong in this assessment. It's just an effort to provide/clarify 100% accurate information.

When the checked baggage fees were first instituted, the military exemption really DID apply only to active military personnel with travel orders, i.e. traveling on deployment. Apparently it's been changed/relaxed since then - but because few people in your exact situation ask luggage questions here, nobody needed to ascertain the current rules.

Given that - most likely you will need to be proactive after you get your return DME packet by calling the number provided. Worst case, you may need to bring your own luggage to the DME bus and so the airport.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Sorry I assumed the worst

I do appreciate the help and advice people are offering. (I will call DME after getting my check out packet and see what happens).

It was just a little hurtful when, after posting that I had experience with the polcy, to be told I didn't really understand it.

 

[bavaria]

Respectfully, you are wrong in this assessment. It's just an effort to provide/clarify 100% accurate information.

When the checked baggage fees were first instituted, the military exemption really DID apply only to active military personnel with travel orders, i.e. traveling on deployment. Apparently it's been changed/relaxed since then - but because few people in your exact situation ask luggage questions here, nobody needed to ascertain the current rules.

Oh, I remember that time well - I still have the scars. I did some digging back then, and did find that military on orders were exempt on many major US carriers, even though it may have not been intially clear. (But at least one poster was angry that non-US carriers did not allow the same exemption for US military travelling on their flights, which I still do not understand)

OP, a lot of people (military and non-military alike) were very angry and upset during that time, and the 'regulars' here may remember some of that emotion, so were most likely just trying to clarify the policy as emotion sometimes can cloud facts.

Have a good trip!

 

[blissventure]

Sorry I assumed the worst

I do appreciate the help and advice people are offering. (I will call DME after getting my check out packet and see what happens).

It was just a little hurtful when, after posting that I had experience with the polcy, to be told I didn't really understand it.

I read the policy, will be interesting to see if it continues if active duty leisure travelers pick up on the opportunity. (The overweight bag provision is a nice benefit.)

The only tiny glitch-should you have any travel difficulty (tropical weather being one of the many possibilities), you won't want to be put on any other airline. Your fees for multiple overweight bags might be quite high. You'd need to wait for availability on US Airways.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

The only tiny glitch-should you have any travel difficulty (tropical weather being one of the many possibilities), you won't want to be put on any other airline. Your fees for multiple overweight bags might be quite high. You'd need to wait for availability on US Airways.

Thanks for the heads up. I wonder though, if they did have to switch me to a different airline, would my baggage allowance go with me, i.e. they would have to pay the other airline both my ticket and baggage fees? Hopefully, I won't have to find out!

And, it is interesting they give military this benefit, but don't advertise it. I, also, wonder what will happen in the future.