UPDATE ON AIRTRAN Baggage Charges~if you've booked tickets prior to baggage charges!!

[chrisann]

I hope someone will correct me if I wrong, but I don't believe that lap babies have ever been given a luggage allowance. It's for fare-paying customers only.

Yes, I believe it always been that way! It was when we did it a few years back.

 

[cbrfan]

Does anyone know that date extra baggage fees went into effect???

I believe the fees were effective with flights departing May 15, 2008 and after.

 

[John's Mom]

I filed a complaint with the DOT a few days ago. Received this reply:

Our guidance to the carriers on this issue statest that "whatever the contract of carriage provides regarding free baggage as of the date of each ticket sale is binding on the carrier." In other words, the change of baggage policy should not effect you since you purchased the ticket prior to Airtran´s policy change.

I have advised Airtran of your concerns and reminded them of our guidance.

This is the reply I received from Airtran on Saturday:

We have received a copy of the e-mail you sent to the Department of
Transportation's Consumer Protection Division. Review of this matter,
shows your reservation was purchased on April 20, 2008. While we did
not begin actually charging customers for checking a second bag until
May 15, 2008, we announced the NEW POLICY on APRIL 11, 2008 and our
Contract of Carriage was amended to reflect this change in policy on
that date as well. Therefore, this policy would apply to you should you
elect to check a second piece of luggage when you travel.

Please bear in mind, customers checking in at the airport with a second
bag will be subject to a $20.00 per passenger, one-way fee. However,
for customers utilizing our online check-in the one-way fee is only
$10.00 per passenger.
__________________

 

[goofy4tink]

I hope someone will correct me if I wrong, but I don't believe that lap babies have ever been given a luggage allowance. It's for fare-paying customers only.

Only paying customers get to bring baggage on board. If you have a lap baby, that child is not entitled to any baggage. Just another good reason to book the baby a seat..you get an extra bag that way.

 

[disney 4 5]

I have still not heard anything other than the automatic response email that I recieved when I filed my complaint.

 

[cole6179]

I have still not heard anything other than the automatic response email that I recieved when I filed my complaint.

Me neither. I filed my complaint the first morning it was listed too. Trying to wait patiently! We purchased our tickets for Sept in Feb!

 

[DAPford]

subscribing to this thread for our trip in dec which was purchased before the announcement

 

[canwegosoon]

I brought tickets for Dec on the 12th of April(day after) and saw no information about the change in policy....has anyone had a similar experience and did you file a complaint with gov't?

 

[cbrfan]

I brought tickets for Dec on the 12th of April(day after) and saw no information about the change in policy....has anyone had a similar experience and did you file a complaint with gov't?

It was there on the 11th. I subscribe to their press releases and was watching for them to make some changes when everyone else starting charging for extra bags. When I read the release I immediately went to their site and it was there. I paid particular attention to the date because of Delta's non-retroactive policy.

 

[#1Disfann]

Just to clarify...

Each person in the group (that has a ticket, or course) is entitled to check one bag without a fee....so 4 people each with 1 bag are covered...Right?\

We manage fine with 1 bag per person but we don't have little ones...I do remember how the items needed for traveling with them adds up though!!

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

I just sent mine. I bought the tickets in January and chose Airtran because of the resort check in. If I can't check my 2nd bags at the hotel without paying a fee it would stink

 

[cbrfan]

Just to clarify...

Each person in the group (that has a ticket, or course) is entitled to check one bag without a fee....so 4 people each with 1 bag are covered...Right?\

We manage fine with 1 bag per person but we don't have little ones...I do remember how the items needed for traveling with them adds up though!!

You're correct. If you have 4 ticketed passengers in your group, you are allowed 4 checked bags, 4 carryons and 4 personal items at no charge. Strollers and carseats can also be gate checked at no charge. Lap babies have no luggage allowance.

 

[tinkerbell60]

I just sent mine. I bought the tickets in January and chose Airtran because of the resort check in. If I can't check my 2nd bags at the hotel without paying a fee it would stink

Me too! We normally fly SW - but went with AT for the return trip solely because of rac. Now it hardly seems worth it.

 

[John's Mom]

It was there on the 11th. I subscribe to their press releases and was watching for them to make some changes when everyone else starting charging for extra bags. When I read the release I immediately went to their site and it was there. I paid particular attention to the date because of Delta's non-retroactive policy.

I found this on another Message Board:

Dear Mr.,
Thank you for contacting AirTran Airways via e-mail. Passengers who booked their flight prior to April 22, 2008, are exempt from the 2nd bag fee.

Thank you for choosing AirTran Airways. Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Stacy Stevens
Customer Relations Department
AirTran Airways

 

[NADINENURSE]

Thanks for the heads up !! I just sent my letter to Air Tran , I have to travel with at least 4 BIG pillows b/c of a back injury and no way can that with 1 bag , let's see what happens !!!! I booked 3/24 for 8/16/08Nadine

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

This is what i got back from my complaint
Mrs. XXXX:

I have advised AirTran that they are required to allow you the free baggage
allowance that was in place at the time you purchased your tickets. For you
information, AirTran changed they baggage policy on April 11, 2008.

Alexander XXXXXX
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
US Department of Transportation


OK you advised them so I guess I can't use resort check in for my other bags??? should I call Airtran??

 

[John's Mom]

I found this on another Message Board:

Dear Mr.,
Thank you for contacting AirTran Airways via e-mail. Passengers who booked their flight prior to April 22, 2008, are exempt from the 2nd bag fee.

Thank you for choosing AirTran Airways. Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Stacy Stevens
Customer Relations Department
AirTran Airways

I sent a copy of this email to AirTran because they stated that the change was effective April 11 and I would have to pay for a second bag. This is the resonse I received this morning.

Dear Ms.

Thank you for your further inquiry in this matter. Friday May 30, 2008, after I sent my response to you, we released an amendment to our new policy to state, customers that booked their travel prior to April 22, 2008, are exempt from the 2nd bag fee. Since you booked on April 20, 2008 you will not be charged for a second bag when you travel.

Thank you for your patience.

 

[cbrfan]

Hopefully, this means AirTran is finally getting their **** together on this subject. Took 'em long enough!!

 

[loriandmatt]

so does that mean that those of us who booked before April 22 don't have to do anything in order for us to be permitted to take a 2nd bag? or should we still write and hopefully get a reply that we can print/take with us?

wondering if the person at the Airtran counter will know of this new policy change and not charge me for my 2nd bag?

 

[momto2inKC]

so does that mean that those of us who booked before April 22 don't have to do anything in order for us to be permitted to take a 2nd bag? or should we still write and hopefully get a reply that we can print/take with us?

wondering if the person at the Airtran counter will know of this new policy change and not charge me for my 2nd bag?

I can't get a straight answer from Airtran about what to do either. I explained that we're using Magical Express and how are they (Magical Express) supposed to know we booked before the cutoff date. I'm afraid when we go to check our bags for departure at the hotel we're going to have issues. I keep getting that same email previously posted here.