American to charge for FIRST checked bag.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

If that were the case, they wouldn't be losing money.

Sure they would. Let's say that for now $10 out of every ticket goes for luggage costs. Since it's built into the ticket American gets this fee regardless of your checking a bag or not.

After June they will be adding a $15 fee to check a bag but they will not drop the $10 already built into the ticket price. So now if you don't check a bag American makes $10 from you (the built in fee) and if you check luggage they make at least $25 (built in + new fee). They won't let that stand. They will want $25 from you regardless of your checking the bag or not. To do that they will either A) Roll the $25 back into the ticket cost so everyone pays or B) Start charging for carry on luggage.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Sure they would. Let's say that for now $10 out of every ticket goes for luggage costs. Since it's built into the ticket American gets this fee regardless of your checking a bag or not.

After June they will be adding a $15 fee to check a bag but they will not drop the $10 already built into the ticket price. So now if you don't check a bag American makes $10 from you (the built in fee) and if you check luggage they make at least $25 (built in + new fee). They won't let that stand. They will want $25 from you regardless of your checking the bag or not. To do that they will either A) Roll the $25 back into the ticket cost so everyone pays or B) Start charging for carry on luggage.

The bottom line is, they need to increase revenue or die. One way or another, you're paying for it. They've found that keeping that cost in the ticket price means fewer ticket sales. So they've found a way to get people to pay.

In the end, you're right, they want that $25 out of you. And they'll get it. Who cares how? If this is what works, and keeps airlines in business, then that's what it is. As long as it doesn't cause a massive inconvenience (and, as I argue above, this doesn't) it doesn't bother me, especially if it means that it leaves an opportunity for me to benefit by being frugal.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

But once this becomes industry standard, the entire point of not simply making it part of the airfare becomes moot.

Everyone who's not a complete idiot will simply figure in the $15 - $45 their bags will cost to each fare price quoted, and the competition for lowest fare will be back to Square One.

Yes, but by that point a segment of flyers will be quite used to saving $15 by doing carryon only and would resent any move to change the system by increasing the price of their ticket just to pay for everyone else's baggage handling needs.

[lashbear]

Well, this coupled with our previous horrendous customer service experience ensures that the LashPair will not be flying United in the future (we always have luggage with us in the USA).

...Especially the United team at Chicago Airport. They suck HARD.

[lashbear]

Originally Posted by lashbear

Well, this coupled with our previous horrendous customer service experience ensures that the LashPair will not be flying United in the future (we always have luggage with us in the USA).

...Especially the United team at Chicago Airport. They suck HARD.

Oops, make that American.... hehehe

I had the old joke of "Fly United, land in pieces" in my mind...

[Gemini Cricket]

Then charge for pillows, blankets and peanuts, too. And there should be an air usage fee put in there, too. Each trip to the bathroom should cost a dollar. (With that last one, I'd be screwed.)

[mousepod]

If they can dissuade enough people from checking bags, then they can sell the extra cargo space to freight companies. I'll bet there's a decent profit there.

[katiesue]

And if there's less luggage the plane uses less fuel because it's lighter.

[Crazybirdman]

yeah, but I have to fight as it is to find a spot for my 1 carry-on

[Not Afraid]

I can deal with charging for drinks or a meal. I don't mind bringing my own or making plans around that fact. But, I have to bring luggage with me. As a result, this feels like petty nickel and diming and that never sits well. I also think it is a really bad move from a marketing perspective, unless their new tag line is: American, the Marge Schott of Airlines

Ticketmaster is the, well, MASTER, of nickel and diming and I will go to great lengths to avoid buying tickets through them if I can help it.

We recently had a fee structure discussion at my company. Many people are charging all sorts of surcharges (gas, after hours, extra animals, cleaning, etc.) in addition to a flat fee. I think that practice cheapens the quality of the service you are providing. I am a proponent of the charge being clear and upfront.