Spirit Airlines will start charging $10 for the 2nd checked bag starting 2/11/07

[hemispheredancer]

I was told today by a reservation agent at Spirit:

For flights departing February 10, 2007 and beyond, for each ticketed passenger, Spirit Airlines will transport one (1) bag as checked baggage free of charge and a second bag for $10. Additional bags will be allowed and charged according to the excess bag fee schedule.



So pack accordingly!!!

 

[FigmentGuy]

I still dont think $10 is bad at all. Spirit still offers lower airfare then other carriers. We think we may pack a smaller suitcase with our clothes and pack that suitcase within our larger one for the trip down. Then we would only have to pay for the 2nd bag when we retrun.

 

[jodifla]

I was told today by a reservation agent at Spirit:

For flights departing February 10, 2007 and beyond, for each ticketed passenger, Spirit Airlines will transport one (1) bag as checked baggage free of charge and a second bag for $10. Additional bags will be allowed and charged according to the excess bag fee schedule.



So pack accordingly!!!

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jodifla]

Spirit Airlines new baggage policy is ONE bag per person as of Feb. 10.

So anyone who travels with children and wants to actually tote their booster seats will now have to pay for the priviledge.

Also, no taking an extra bag for snacks, etc.

 

[debster812]

ONE bag per ticketed passenger for free.

$10 charge for additional bags or additional piece of luggage is the policy I read last week.

Is it a drag? Absolutely. Are they specifically targeting FAMILIES? I doubt it. These airlines are positively bleeding money, and are trying to find revenue streams wherever they can.

I would plan my travel accordingly, and figure in an additional $10 per ticket for an extra piece of luggage if I felt I needed it.

Fortunately, Spirit is not the only airline that flies, so anyone who does not care for the charge, can choose not to fly them.

And before you tell me I lack empathy again, I saw this on Spirit's site earlier this week, and emailed my cousin who will be flying them in February. SHe will be flying by herself, with her 3 kids. 4 bags will NOT be enough for them. But, for her, not everyone, but for her it's cheaper to pay the additional $10 for 2 extra bags, than it would be to ship down the extra stuff she needs, but shipping packages ahead of time is also an option.

It's a drag, but it may be the wave of things to come. Or it could flop like another airline tried charging people extra for 'preferred seating'.

 

[hydster]

They are only charging the fee for checked luggage. You can still bring on a booster seat or a carry on. The fee is implemented when you check 2 bags or more. The first checked bag is free. The 2nd checked bag per person is an additional $10.00. Carry on luggage is NOT affected. Just wanted to clarify. My step niece works for them. Therefore it shouldn't affect families much because unless each person in the family needs to check 2 pieces of luggage each you can still carry on a bag with toys and snacks and a booster seat with you on board the aircraft.

Edited to add from the Spirit website
http://www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx?pg=policies#baggage

Checked Baggage
For flights departing February 10, 2007 and beyond, for each ticketed passenger, Spirit Airlines will transport one (1) bag as checked baggage free of charge and a second bag for $10. Additional bags will be allowed and charged according to the excess bag fee schedule.

Carry-On Baggage

Passengers may also carry-on, without charge, one additional piece totaling no more than 22+13+10 (56cm + 33cm + 25cm), maximum weight 40 lbs (18 kg), which is capable of being stowed under a passenger seat or in an approved overhead cabin compartment.

 

[ducklite]

Considering that 99% of the crap that people haul with them on vacation isn't needed, and that most people grossly overpack, I just don't see the problem.

Snacks, diapers, babywipes, etc. can either be purchased once the family arrives, or through Garden Grocer for resort delivery, or shipped ahead.

You still get a bag and a carry-on per ticketed passenger. I can't imagine needing more than that.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Considering that bags with food in them are the number one reason that TSA has to take the time to open and hand inspect, if this makes it harder to pack a 40 pound suicase full of Pop-Tarts and Capri Sun, then I'm all for it.

I do'nt see what the problem is. Each kid will still get one bag, one carry-on, plus one personal item as a carry on. If people can't pack for a kid in one bag, and use the booster as the carry-on, and have a small tote or back pack for a few items to keep them entertained in flight, then maybe driving where they can fill the ole' minivan full of stuff they'll drag along and never even use would be a better alternative.

Anne

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Honestly, I don't see the problem either.

The only time we specifically felt targeted by an airline was DS was a baby. He was about 6 mos old at the time and still needed bottles. We needed something to clean them with and so we took our bottle brush with us. Made the mistake of putting it into the diaperbag instead of the checked luggage and when the handlers saw it, they freaked a little.

TOV

 

[CarolA]

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get over it. Americans want EL CHEAPO fares. This is the service that goes with EL CHEAPO.

This is already common on European Budget Airlines. Except MORE not less of this type of charge.

 

[maps]

I guess it depends on where you go and for how long. Normally I'm a light packer because I do laundry on vacation and can therefore pack less.

However, on a recent cruise out of port canaveral, RCCL did not have self serve laundry on board (wasn't about to pay $2/underwear to send out the laundry!).

So for the 4 of us, I had 4 suitcases, 1 garment bag, a duffle bag and 2 booster seats. Sure I could have carried the booster seats but what a hassle. I did not pack any food. We also had all of our snorkeling gear which can get heavy so I had to space them out between all the bags.

First the airlines want you to limit the carry ons. Then they put limits on the weight of each checked bag. Now they want to limit the number of checked bags per person or pay more.

I'm glad my kids are getting older since each trip I have to pack less ( no strollers, diapers...). But I do feel for those who are travelling with little ones.

 

[ducklite]

I guess it depends on where you go and for how long. Normally I'm a light packer because I do laundry on vacation and can therefore pack less.

However, on a recent cruise out of port canaveral, RCCL did not have self serve laundry on board (wasn't about to pay $2/underwear to send out the laundry!).

As an FYI, I brought a small bottle of Woolight and we hand washed our underwear and hung it to dry. We sent a few things out to be cleaned, I think we spent a total of $30 on cleaning onboard, and traveled with two medium sized bags, a garment bag, two shool sized backpacks, a pocketbook, and a camera bag. That was for three adults.

Anne

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ah, but Spirit isn't changing the number of luggage pieces passengers can check - just the number that can be checked free.

 

[BillSears]

It's kind of odd but I prefer 2 medium bags to one large bag. Picking up the smaller bags one at a time is alot easier for me and carrying 2 medium is also alot easier. I probably bring the same amount weight wise but it's 2 bags instead of 1.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

[Merged two threads on same topic]


As someone who's worked in Luggage Services before... I can tell you, people bring thier entire life with them on vacation. It's unreal how much luggage some people have. This is a good way to cut down on unneccessary luggage.

On the bright side, $10 for an additional piece really isn't that bad.

 

[jodifla]

They are only charging the fee for checked luggage. You can still bring on a booster seat or a carry on. The fee is implemented when you check 2 bags or more. The first checked bag is free. The 2nd checked bag per person is an additional $10.00. Carry on luggage is NOT affected. Just wanted to clarify. My step niece works for them. Therefore it shouldn't affect families much because unless each person in the family needs to check 2 pieces of luggage each you can still carry on a bag with toys and snacks and a booster seat with you on board the aircraft.

Edited to add from the Spirit website
http://www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx?pg=policies#baggage

Checked Baggage
For flights departing February 10, 2007 and beyond, for each ticketed passenger, Spirit Airlines will transport one (1) bag as checked baggage free of charge and a second bag for $10. Additional bags will be allowed and charged according to the excess bag fee schedule.

Carry-On Baggage

Passengers may also carry-on, without charge, one additional piece totaling no more than 22+13+10 (56cm + 33cm + 25cm), maximum weight 40 lbs (18 kg), which is capable of being stowed under a passenger seat or in an approved overhead cabin compartment.

You CANNOT bring a booster seat as a carryon. You cannot use a true booster seat (not a car seat) on a plane.

 

[ducklite]

You CANNOT bring a booster seat as a carryon. You cannot use a booster seat on a plane.

Take it through security as the carry-on, then gate check it.

Anne

 

[jodifla]

ONE bag per ticketed passenger for free.

$10 charge for additional bags or additional piece of luggage is the policy I read last week.

Is it a drag? Absolutely. Are they specifically targeting FAMILIES? I doubt it. These airlines are positively bleeding money, and are trying to find revenue streams wherever they can.

I would plan my travel accordingly, and figure in an additional $10 per ticket for an extra piece of luggage if I felt I needed it.

Fortunately, Spirit is not the only airline that flies, so anyone who does not care for the charge, can choose not to fly them.

And before you tell me I lack empathy again, I saw this on Spirit's site earlier this week, and emailed my cousin who will be flying them in February. SHe will be flying by herself, with her 3 kids. 4 bags will NOT be enough for them. But, for her, not everyone, but for her it's cheaper to pay the additional $10 for 2 extra bags, than it would be to ship down the extra stuff she needs, but shipping packages ahead of time is also an option.

It's a drag, but it may be the wave of things to come. Or it could flop like another airline tried charging people extra for 'preferred seating'.

I'm not sure how you get $20, since both bags have to go both ways, I imagine it will be $40.


I've already emailed Spirit Airlines my complaint, and will be following up with their corporate office next week.

 

[jodifla]

First the airlines want you to limit the carry ons. Then they put limits on the weight of each checked bag. Now they want to limit the number of checked bags per person or pay more.

I'm glad my kids are getting older since each trip I have to pack less ( no strollers, diapers...). But I do feel for those who are travelling with little ones.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[safetymom]

I wish more airlines would do this.