New one bag per person check-in at resorts

[Inkmahm]

NOW they are.

Because the DOT told them, about a week ago, that that's the way they have to do it.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=49976696.blog

PRIOR to the May 15th edict by the DOT.....Delta, at least, and possibly others, were NOT making it clear to people, and were not "grandfathering" tickets purchased prior to their announcemtnt. People were showing up and getting hit with a fee they weren't expecting.

I was speaking in present tense.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DH has limited vacation time, so losing two days on each end to driving really isn't an attractive option. Though we probably COULD drive for less than $1200, which is what it would be for the 3 of us to fly if we bought tickets today. As it is, in August DS and I are flying on miles and we paid $325 for DH.

Something interesting my boss pointed out is that the airlines really have us in a corner because of all the things you CAN'T put in a carry-on, like big bottles of sunscreen. By the time I pay WDW prices for sunscreen I might as well pay $15 in baggage fees and bring a whole suitcase full.

 

[FLYNZ4]

That's odd. All the reading I've done has military folks excluded from the extra baggage charges. Which airline charged a soldier for an extra bag?

United Airlines.

Now in retrospect... I may have been presumptuous in stating that he was a soldier. He had the haircut, he had the GI duffle bags, he had the "yes sir/yes ma'am" vocabulary... but he was NOT wearing a uniform. I am 90% sure he was a soldier... but maybe he was recently discharged or on vacation.

In any case... It was clear this was a big financial hardship for him.

/Jim

 

[FLYNZ4]

Something interesting my boss pointed out is that the airlines really have us in a corner because of all the things you CAN'T put in a carry-on, like big bottles of sunscreen. By the time I pay WDW prices for sunscreen I might as well pay $15 in baggage fees and bring a whole suitcase full.

A sensible thing to do is to use local stores. We always make a grocery run on day 1... or use a grocery delivery service if we do not have a car. We buy enough stuff for our entire trip (generally about 12 nights) and we seem to be pretty good about buying the proper amount.

If we have a car (generally the case)... then we will usually buy less on day 1... and make an extra trip later which is even easier for planning to buy the right amount.

In the vast majority of cases... I can easily fly with just carry-on now... in a nice legal soft bag (not a wheelie)... for an indefinite period of time. I just spent the entire period of March 28th - May 21st on the road... with two separate and independent international trips (China and Tokyo), three separate coast-coast USA trips (NYC, Wash DC, Orlando)... plus several west coast trips... spending only 4 nights at home... and it was 100% carry-on only.

I recommend reading www.onebag.com

/Jim

 

[FLYNZ4]

What I expect they will have to start doing is enforcing carry on size limits more now. I fly frequently and I am often upset by the airlines lack of enforcement in regards to carry-ons. I have been knocked in the head countless times by people who try to stuff full size suitcases in overhead bins. I see them watching this much more carefully now as it directly will impact their revenue.

I suspect that you are talking about wheelies. I used to travel with them... but now they gather dust in the attic. I have switched to soft very well made bags (I use Red OXX). They are not rigid, so they squeeze into spaces better. I own my own airplane... so soft luggage is a HUGE advantage since space is small. The amazing thing is that the wheelies waste as much as 50% of their volume on the frame, handles, wheels, etc. I can take two wheelies worth of luggage (or one of the huge ones that are checked only)... and put all of the stuff into my Red OXX. Now... even when I have international business trips requiring suits... plus casual wear for sightseeing... plus resort wear... I can fit it all into a single carry-on.

However... they key to comfortable travel is NOT to take more... but to learn how to take less. Virtually everyone packs way too much stuff when traveling. Unchaining yourself from you luggage is the first step to making travel more comfortable.

/Jim

 

[delmar411]

Something interesting my boss pointed out is that the airlines really have us in a corner because of all the things you CAN'T put in a carry-on, like big bottles of sunscreen. By the time I pay WDW prices for sunscreen I might as well pay $15 in baggage fees and bring a whole suitcase full.

I brought on spray on suncreen which was under the 3oz size. It lasted DD & myself 2.5 days and then we switched over to a stick sunscreen for the remaining day and half. I could have easily brought several of the sunscreens in a baggie. TSA only pulled it out to verify that it was under the 3oz limits and were fine with it being in it's own baggie.

 

[pilferk]

DH has limited vacation time, so losing two days on each end to driving really isn't an attractive option. Though we probably COULD drive for less than $1200, which is what it would be for the 3 of us to fly if we bought tickets today. As it is, in August DS and I are flying on miles and we paid $325 for DH.

Something interesting my boss pointed out is that the airlines really have us in a corner because of all the things you CAN'T put in a carry-on, like big bottles of sunscreen. By the time I pay WDW prices for sunscreen I might as well pay $15 in baggage fees and bring a whole suitcase full.

For the 5 of us to fly, we'd be looking at somewhere around $1500+ for tickets. I'm not sure what the "extras" would hit us with, though I suspect we might be able to fly with one checked bag for the 5 of us...we'd just need to buy 4 larger pieces of luggage so we're all "maximizing our potential". Oh, and not fly American.

But the 4 days (less, really....1.5 each way..about 22 hours of driving and 8 hours of sleeping) saves us roughly $700 to $900....AND nets us a car to drive down there without the cost of a rental. My vacation time is more discretionary....as long as I've got the time in the bank, and it's during the less busy time of year, I can use it as I see fit and it's enough to add the travel time.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I brought on spray on suncreen which was under the 3oz size. It lasted DD & myself 2.5 days and then we switched over to a stick sunscreen for the remaining day and half. I could have easily brought several of the sunscreens in a baggie. TSA only pulled it out to verify that it was under the 3oz limits and were fine with it being in it's own baggie.

Where did you find a little spray sunscreen? We have a little bottle of lotion that we can clip on a backpack to take to the parks, but I've never seen a spray smaller than 6 oz.
We are going to have to really rethink out travel habits next year. This year we are still allowed 2 checked bags each for free, so the biggest pain will be NOT being able to do resort airline check in.

 

[delmar411]

Where did you find a little spray sunscreen? We have a little bottle of lotion that we can clip on a backpack to take to the parks, but I've never seen a spray smaller than 6 oz.
We are going to have to really rethink out travel habits next year. This year we are still allowed 2 checked bags each for free, so the biggest pain will be NOT being able to do resort airline check in.

CVS brand, there were 2 types. I found it with all the other sunscreens.

HTH!

 

[Mtnman44]

I hope that this policy is waived for elites and first class travelers, just as the airlines do.

Last summer, they were able to clearly see elite status at the resort and thus not worry about an overweight bag I had. i hope it works the same with this bag count policy.

 

[TSMIII]

It really seems like they should just jack up the airfares rather than an add a luggage fee. Because you just know they will raise the airfares again soon anyway. Adding a fee to check a bag is just going to result in more people bringing carry-on, and more headaches getting everyone seated and taking off.

Plus, it just seems to me like a bad business move. The exclusions to the luggage fee offered up by AA to elite members and first class passengers and such really are what gets me. Either everyone pays or no one pays. It will end up souring public perceptions about air travel and airlines even more.

I agree 100% with Robo-Daddy.

I think this will result in more people trying to get ever larger bags through security to carry on. Time spent at the security checkpoint will skyrocket and there will invariably be those that have to return to the ticket counter to check the disallowed baggage - which means they'll have to swim against the tide to get back out of the security line.

The airlines would do everyone a favor if they did as Robo-Daddy said and just up the ticket price to cover the one checked bag. When purchasing your ticket, it could be spelled out that the price includes the cost to cover one checked bag with an opt out if you aren't checking any - so the price would be reduced by $15 or whatever their charge is if you said you wouldn't be taking any. If you opt out at purchase and say you'll be taking only carry ons, then show up with bag in hand to be checked - you pay the extra at the ticket counter.

The way it would work at the airline check in at the WDW resorts is that if you show up with a ticket that includes one free bag and you've got that or less, you're checked in and they take your bag - you show up with more than your ticket allows, you check in at the airport.

 

[Judy WI]

...we'd just need to buy 4 larger pieces of luggage so we're all "maximizing our potential".

Have to be careful on the larger bags. They have a weight limit and I have seen people get a bigger bag and really stuff it only to get hit with a surcharge because it was over 50#.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

CVS brand, there were 2 types. I found it with all the other sunscreens.

HTH!

Great! Thank you!

I have a 29" Samsonite we affectionately call "Big Red". The check-in people always weigh that one, but luckily we have never gone over. I weigh it on the bathroom scale before we leave home, and if it is close to 50 lbs. I move some things to another bag. I recently bought a 29" Delsey for DH, so now he has "Big Blue".

 

[mnra]

We used to pack a family of 5 in two bags and not go over the wieght limit. I should have pack 10 bags in those days and made the airlines move it for me. Now they want to charge me for takening one bag. Does this mean they will be more careful with the bag and not destroy it or lose it like they have done for so many people. This will eventually come back to hurt the airlines as travel will decrease and people will fine other ways to get to there locations. I see another bailout for the airlines like 2001.

 

[Iggipolka]

The new changes with ME are so frustrating! I understand that it's because of the airlines, not because of Disney, but it's still frustrating!

We're flying on American in two weeks to MCO. We booked prior to June 15th, which is when the $15 for the first checked bag thing goes into effect. Thankfully, we'll be ok for this trip, but perhaps not for our October trip! How is ME going to deal with American's new policy?

Also, for those who have Owners Locker, do you leave clothes (t-shirts, pants, shorts, underwear, socks) in your OL as well as things like shampoo and toothpaste? Sunblock expires after a year, so if you do leave sunblock in an OL, be sure to replace is often.

OL is sounding better and better.

 

[FLYNZ4]

The new changes with ME are so frustrating! I understand that it's because of the airlines, not because of Disney, but it's still frustrating!

We're flying on American in two weeks to MCO. We booked prior to June 15th, which is when the $15 for the first checked bag thing goes into effect. Thankfully, we'll be ok for this trip, but perhaps not for our October trip! How is ME going to deal with American's new policy?

Also, for those who have Owners Locker, do you leave clothes (t-shirts, pants, shorts, underwear, socks) in your OL as well as things like shampoo and toothpaste? Sunblock expires after a year, so if you do leave sunblock in an OL, be sure to replace is often.

OL is sounding better and better.

First of all... the resort check-in has nothing to do with magical express. This is a 100% airline sponsored program as far as I know. It is the same as curb-side check-in... except it is off-site.

Regarding our OL... our first locker has all of our permanent stuff... but not clothes. We are probably going to get a 2nd locker to have clothes as well. Obviously, this will not work with children but for adults... resort wear is inexpensive and small... hence it should be easy to store.

We do not "store" stuff like sunscreen per-se. By that I mean... we do not buy sunscreen to keep in the OL. However... we will generally buy enough sunscreen when we arrive for our trip. Sometimes we have some left over... and into the locker it goes. I am not worried about it going stale before our next trip. We will use it before the new cans that we buy. Of course... sunscreen is but one example of "leftover" stuff that we keep there.

It is also nice to have basic first aid, and "long term expiring" medications (such as Advil) in there as well.

Regarding dealing with multiple bags... read www.onebag.com and it will change your travel habits forever (and very positively). The vast majority of people severely over pack.

Here is an example... years ago, DW bought me this cute little travel kit as a gift. Not wanting to start a marital dispute... I hid it away until she forgot about it. One day, years later she found it and asked if I wanted to use it. I came clean... and said no. She wanted to know why... so I opened it up and first pulled out a shoe horn. I said "what am I going to do with this?". Her reply was: It might come in handy. My reply was... never in my life have I needed a shoe horn at home... what exactly is going to happen during a vacation to instantly make this into a valuable device?

I think she finally figured it out... I'm still not sure. We have finally gotten to the point that we can often travel with carry-on only... providing that I let her use half of my bag. One of these days she will read www.onebag.com and we will each be able to travel with 1/2 filled carry-ons.

/Jim

 

[n2mm]

Great! Thank you!

I have a 29" Samsonite we affectionately call "Big Red". The check-in people always weigh that one, but luckily we have never gone over. I weigh it on the bathroom scale before we leave home, and if it is close to 50 lbs. I move some things to another bag. I recently bought a 29" Delsey for DH, so now he has "Big Blue".

I thought we were the only ones that named our luggage. After the weight restrictions over the past couple of years, we had to retire "bubba" because he had a weight issue. We use to pack all of our stuff inside bubba and only had to worry about one bag. Now we have 2 26inch bags that are nameless because they have no personality. Poor bubba lives in a dark space in our home now.

 

[LauraLea]

All ears has reported ---

Resort Airline Check-in service offered at Disney resorts will now only accept one bag per passenger for check-in, due to the extra fees that most airlines now charge for a second bag. If you wish to have more than one checked bag per person, you will need to check-in at the airport.

Are you sure? Just this past Friday I used RA check-in for AirTran. Not only did they take my 2nd bag, they did not charge me for it either.

 

[BCV23]

Are you sure? Just this past Friday I used RA check-in for AirTran. Not only did they take my 2nd bag, they did not charge me for it either.

Yep, my DH and I checked in for AA on Friday with all three bags for our party. No charge (although he is an elite level flyer with them).

But we were chatting with the young lady and she didn't know yet about AAs upcoming fee for the first bag.

 

[Iggipolka]

Well, that's a relief! Hopefully ME and the airline check-in will continue to work as it always has!