On the same day that once mighty Japan Airlines (JAL) filed for bankruptcy protection, and its publicly traded stock plunged to pennies a share, American Airlines (AA) announced higher checked baggage fees. Asia's largest airlines has been reduced to junk investment status. American Airlines and other carriers want to avoid the same fate, and are seeking every means possible to increase profits.
For domestic flight tickets purchased on or after February 1, American's checked bag charges will change to $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag, payable at the airport on day of travel. The carrier currently charges $20 for the first bag and $30 for the second, each way on domestic travel.
CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) A wounded man probably won't be allowed to fly (Image credit - Google Images); (BELOW RIGHT) Lost luggage ((Photo credit - Google Images); (BELOW LEFT) Another example of possible increased airline fees - $15 for oxygen (Image Credit - Google Images); (BELOW RIGHT BOTTOM) San Diego Airport Terminal 1 baggage hall (Photo Credit - Joel Siegfried)
Three videos on checked baggage follow this article.
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This will be the third increase of baggage fees by American Airlines. Prior to that, the carrier charged $15 for the first checked bag, and $25 for the second one, on each ticket destination.
Passengers buying first or business class tickets, or those with elite frequent flyer status are exempt.
Is it smart to raise checked baggage fees? We think not. Rather, it reflects the desperation that the legacy carriers, such as American, Continental, Delta, United, and U.S. Airways are facing during the economic downturn. Their passenger revenues are down. As traffic declines, their profit margins are being further squeezed.
The value driven low fare carriers are actually showing profits during this recession. These include Southwest, JetBlue, Virgin America, and Alaska Airlines, all of whom operate out of San Diego International Airport, with extensive domestic routes.
On Southwest Airlines, as the company is not shy to mention, "Your first and second bags fly free." On
JetBlue, your first checked bag is free, your second will cost $30, and if you have a third checked bag, you'll pay $75 to check it. On Virgin America, checking one bag will cost $20, unless you have a full fare refundable ticket, in which case the fee is waived. You can also check bags 2 through 10 for $20 each. Alaska Airlines and its subsidiary Horizon Air charges $15 for the first checked bag, $25 for the second, $50 for the third, and $100 for the fourth, each way. Fees are waived on first class tickets, or for elite frequent flyers. Bags fly free is you travel anywhere within the State of Alaska, are U.S. military personnel on orders, or are flying To/From Guadalajara and Mexico City.
A popular travel site, Airfare Watchdog, has a recently updated chart of current airline checked baggage fees. Some carriers which previously had not charged for checking your first or second bag, including AirTran, Alaska, and Frontier, have also now imposed fees.
Our colleague Marc Friedman, the Minneapolis Airlines/Airport Examiner, has covered this issue extensively with frequent reports. He advises, as we do, to travel lightly whenever possible, take only allowable carry aboard luggage, and avoid checking bags. We've been saying that for years, simply to save time, and increase flexibility in the event of cancelled or delayed flights.
That choice of course is always yours to make.
Tell us your thoughts on checked baggage fees. Please leave comments below or by email and subscribe to get future updates.
Comments
GREAT article, and this colleague Friedman sounds like quite the guy. Very nice of you to link to him. :-)
With the carry-on liquid restrictions passengers pretty much have to check bags - at least us females - so I don't really understand why we're being penalized. If they have to raise the fares, then do it but stop charging us fees for each and every thing. Ugh! I'm going on a four-day holiday soon and wonder if I can get by with just a carry-on. It's doubtful but I think we'll be losing enough money in Vegas; I don't want to pay $60 for checked bags as well.
Awesome article, JOEL. It kills me how little we get for how much we spend
I hate airline baggage fees... what a rip-off! It causes more of a headache for customers and crew, since everyone tries to carry on their bags and there is never enough overhead space.
i'm sure suitcase makers will start manufacturing smaller bags that somehow fit a lot in. how about a 'spacebag' suitcase?
Travelers need to protest. Fly Southwest whenever you can and let the carrier who lost your business know why. Tweet the choice and # it to both airlines. We need a grassroots movement here or those fees will never go away.
The baggage fees don't affect me personally, as I never have a checked bag for a domestic trip! With all the travel sizes of hair products now available, I have no liquid needs that can't fit in my carry-on, and you can always buy something at your destination, if needed, for far less than paying a baggage fee... If you have a male travel companion, you can also split up your toiletries between the two of you, which helps the females out in some cases. "Pack right, travel light" was the first article I ever wrote for Examiner.com and those are still my bywords.
Alaska and Horizon also offer a bag guarantee. If you don't get your bag within 25 minutes of arriving, you get a $25 e-certificate for use on your next trip.
I would also like to add that going to Sports events, concerts, muscicals, etc. are also a rip off. You get slapped with parking fees, ticketing 'convenience fees', you have to pay for programs, drinks (at rates that are incredibly obscene, in some cases a beer is the same cost as some of these bag fees!).
You don't like the checked baggage fee, send your bag by another means to your destination. Oh, you say it's more expensive and less convenient. Hmmm - seems like the airlines aren't charging enough for their same day, pick up as you leave the airport, baggage service.
I'm just saying.....
All I can say is thank goodness we can STILL check bags. Shopping is expensive down here so I haul a lot of stuff back from the states. My shoes won't even fit in a carry on bag! I usually return to the islands with 3 50lb bags...sorry Deb, I just can't carry it all on!!
Of course, first class and other fare categories don't pay for checked bags, as they pay that many times over. I prefer to check bags and be bag-free in the airport, but I try not to as if I miss a connection or a flight is delayed, I can't make the change if there is a checked bag. This just means we have so many people dragging so much stuff everywhere. Perhaps a new way of storing those carry-on bags is needed.
Joel, you've hit on one of my pet peeves with this article (along with most other paying and flying travelers). Your allusion to Southwest's no fees approach usually at least amounts to about 40 bucks savings (for 2 checked bags) relative to the majority of other airlines. I've squawked about this in several of my Examiner articles...burns my hide. It's eye - opening to look at the amount of revenue airlines garner from baggage fees..I believe it's around $750 million during the past year. Absolutely great article here..off to stumble it, etc...
Cheers...
Great article. I think I'm going to send the bags and I'm going to stay home :) After all, the baggage fees, imho, are ridiculous, but they're cheaper than the seats, so maybe my luggage can tell me how the islands are. Maybe that will give the airlines the hint.
I try to fly Southwest whenever possible, as it understands the concept of trying to create an excellent customer experience.
Regarding comments by Stu, posed below and repeated here,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, and point out Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air's remarkable bag delivery guarantee.
I also agree with you that going to a concert or sporting event can be expensive, and involves add on fees.
My main point with the baggage fees is that travelers have a choice in many cases, and can select an airline that charges a lower fee, or none at all, especially if they are informed about the alternatives.
Thank you again.
"Alaska and Horizon also offer a bag guarantee. If you don't get your bag within 25 minutes of arriving, you get a $25 e-certificate for use on your next trip.
I would also like to add that going to Sports events, concerts, musicals, etc. are also a rip off. You get slapped with parking fees, ticketing 'convenience fees', you have to pay for programs, drinks (at rates that are incredibly obscene, in some cases a beer is the same cost as some of these bag
Regarding the comments by Matt left on January 20, 3:33 PM, and quoted again below.
You make a good point, Matt, that the airlines are charging for a convenience. As you suggest, and as some travelers are doing, they can ship baggage ahead using a delivery service.
Since there are other alternatives, such as airlines that have decided not to go along with charging checked baggage fees, or have a much lower fee schedule, the public needs to be aware of these additional choices, so that they can make better decisions as consumers.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your comments, which are much appreciated, and repeated below:
"You don't like the checked baggage fee, send your bag by another means to your destination. Oh, you say it's more expensive and less convenient. Hmmm - seems like the airlines aren't charging enough for their same day, pick up as you leave the airport, baggage service.
I'm just saying....."
Great article! It's a racket they have going!
Posted 12 days ago on Linkedin Travel Editors and Freelance Journalist Group
Hi Joel,
Airlines are so strapped for cash that they don't know where to look for additional income.
I recently received an email ad from KLM showing that now you can pay a fee (on top of your regular ticket) for the right to choose a better (less awful) seat in economy, with the price list.
That says everything.
Cheers,
Niki
Posted 11 days ago on Linkedin Travel Editors and Freelance Journalist Group
Prior to a recent trip to Naples with BA I received an e mail inviting me to upgrade to business class and (amongst other things) enjoy the peace and tranquility of a business lounge prior to departure. I paid up. Naples Airport Business lounge was closed (long term). I was refused even a partial refund on the upgrade - That is a sign that they will do ANYTHING to keep our money, verging on the scandalous I'd say.
Simon Hare Publishing Director at IPC Media
Gruesome photo, probably only a ruptured eardrum though .. not as bad as brain damage. The photo of the lost luggage is sad. I wonder if that situation has gotten worse or better over the years ..
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