Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Now that American Airlines is now charging $15 each way for the 1st checked bag and $25 each way for the second - and many of the airlines charging $25 each way for a 2nd checked bag. I think a lot of the other airlines will follow suit. Delta and Airtran are both charging those who bought their tickets prior to the policy - where other airlines are exempting those who already purchased their tickets.

Will this effect your vacation plans for this year or next? For those traveling with kids - will it change where you decide to travel to or how?

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Is it 1 bag per ticket? The carry-on does not count?

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

It may make me pack a little lighter, but $25 wouldn't make me not vacation.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

They are charging $15?!?!? That makes me so mad. I hope the other airlines don't follow, but you're probably right and they most likely will. We are flying Delta this weekend and I did ship a box of stuff for DD ahead (we're visiting BIL & SIL so we can do that.) Delta lets us check 1 bag each for free (right now) but I don't want to have to pay $25 to bring extra stuff (DH wants to bring his golf clubs and we usually check DD's stroller, so that's 2 checked items right there, we'd only be able to bring 1 more since we have paid for 3 seats.) This is getting crazy. Between the flights being so expensive & now the baggage restrictions, we probably will fly less. We normally make 6 trips a year to see family. Not anymore.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Spirit started doing this a few weeks ago. I figured it was a matter of time that other airlines followed suit.

It's annoying when you combine this with the liquid restricitions that makes it a little hard to carry on. But it's not going to keep me from travelling.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

if you can't afford the 15 or 25 for bag fees why are you traveling IMO... ill still travel a few times a year, and ill still check 2 bags regardless of fees (i check 2 bags for a 2-3 day trip.. im a chronic overpacker)... the airfares the most expensive parts of any of our trips in the past few years... its one less "fancy" dinner out while on vacation if you wanna not pay more on avg per cost of vacation

airlines are getting killed on fuel costs and other assorted costs its only natural for them to trickle down... same with any industry
...thats like adding a surcharge when gold goes above a certain $ value b/c your prices in past years were based on gold costing x amt.. now its y... so it costs more to sell said gold coated stuff to customers...

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

I think this will affect families with children more than other person.

I can see the reasoning. You have more luggage, you need to pay accordingly but that's not an incentive for family to travel.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

I NEVER check luggage. If we cant get it in our carry ons we dont need to take it with us.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

luckily continentals flights to the DR still allow 2 bags at not charge. but I wouldn't let that stop me from traveling. i over pack no matter how hard I try

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

I can see why they are charging extra due to the weight, but they are making it such a miserable, unpleasant experience to fly that it's just becoming something to endure. I don't like the nickel and diming to death - $5 for a reservation, extra for a window seat, bring your own food - what's next - pay toilets? Be sure you bring change - or will it be a dollar a dump? It's starting to feel like you're traveling steerage in the early 1900's. You'd think that airlines would want to try to entice customers to fly but they seem to have the attitude "the experience $ucks but you know you have to get there so deal with it"

I don't think I'll rush anywhere to willingly fly any time soon. Unfortunately my parents live on the other side of the country - too far to consider traveling by train, so we'll have to fly there but I'd much rather drive than fly these days. And when you're staying for over a week it's hard to go carry on only, especially when you're carrying cameras, Christmas gifts, etc. And of course you can't carry on golf clubs.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

I think this whole thing is ridiculous. If you look at how much it costs for an airline ticket, what it costs to buy food on a plane ( what ever happened to free lunches) it is just insane to charge people for a bag. This won;'t change my travel plans but I will definately try and pack lighter.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Anything to nickle and dime the customers.

Spirit started doing this last year. I flew with DD and DS on a $9 fare (each way) and didn't really mind having to pay the $5 per bag each way (when you pay online) since my fare was so cheap.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Honestly, unless I am travelling for more then 5 days, I don't check my luggage & only carry on. I have had my luggage lost too many times & gone through vacations with nothing to check my bags everytime. If we do go someplace for a week or so, I try to pack as much as I can in a carryon & then the remainder of DH & my stuff goes into the checked bag..

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

The thing is - what happens when there isn't enough room for everyones carry ons??? it's hard to find room as it is...

When I travel with my daughter on a weekend trip usually my Dh and DD will split one carry on and I will take my own. I will pack diapers last since they can fit in a lot of small spaces. and I always pack an extra tote bag so if we have more stuff on the way home it won't be an issue.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Posted by LaPetiteSirène

Posted by JennZ

I NEVER check luggage. If we cant get it in our carry ons we dont need to take it with us.

Honestly, can I ask how on earth you do that? I'm going away for 2 nights this weekend and I would LOVE to just bring a carry on. But with all of the liquid restrictions there is no way I can pack a big baggie of shampoo, conditioner, make-up, and all of my stuff!

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

It is about time. In other countries you can only get one checked bag and have to pay a lot more than $25 for another bag.

Do you have to pay to check your first bag?

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Guess I wont be checking a shoes-only suitcase.

This is insanity

I know when I go on vacation, I ALWAYS overpack- I never know what I'm in the mood to wear on vacation & what I will need. I change my clothes twice a day at least!!!!

This totally affects people like me & families with chidren.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

It definately will limit what we pack. I have a big foot so I usually have to pack shoes and sneakers in a seperate bag. No more.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

Like another poster said...I may be able to SQUEEZE it all into one bag, a carry on, but what about the stuff that you can't carry on? What do you do with it?

There has to be some reasonable compromise here. I can see charging you to check a second bag, but you should be able to bring one carry on without being charged. You are paying to fly on the plane in the first place, they can't expect you not to bring liquids with you on a trip.

Re: Now that airlines are charging passengers to check 1 or 2 bags...

As much as it sux, the alternative would be to raise the fares even more then they have risen in the past year or so.