American to charge for FIRST checked bag.

[Fab]

I use the Ziploc ones. Cheaper, do the same thing.

[Ghoulish Delight]

United Follows Suit

[Kevy Baby]

Southwest Airlines advertises that they DON'T charge for first bag - kudos to them!

[Ghoulish Delight]

If their ticket is $15 more than American or United and I'm not checking a bag, I'll fly American or United.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I didn't care about the luggage charge at all, until it became clear to me two days ago that it's just another way to milk money out of passengers; they squeezed my recent ticket payments from the cow teat of my savings account until the proverbial udder was practically dry AND I'm paying for luggage. Let's just say I'm frustrated with the state of things.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I just don't get it. They're losing money. They need to charge more. Either they raise ticket prices or they charge for other things. Is trying to make enough money to maintain profit "milking money"? It's not like they're making record profits and just looking to pad their overflowing coffers. They're trying to do what they can to keep flying.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I just don't get it. They're losing money. They need to charge more. Either they raise ticket prices or they charge for other things. Is trying to make enough money to maintain profit "milking money"? It's not like they're making record profits and just looking to pad their overflowing coffers. They're trying to do what they can to keep flying.

I object not so much to the increased cost but rather the extra hassle this is sure to create. For example, The Walt Disney World Magical Express takes your bag at your resort and checks it onto the plane for you. Only now they don't have the system in place to charge a fee on behalf of the airlines so they are scrambling for what to do.

Just raise the darn fairs and stop trying to play whack-a-mole with the fees.

Ultimetly the reality is that prices have already risen enough that consumers are opting to not fly. So the airlines can either A)Keep prices low and go broke, or B)Raise prices to meet cost and go broke because of lowered demand.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Just raise the darn fairs and stop trying to play whack-a-mole with the fees.

The problem is that most buyers react only to "initial prices": most people just see that American has a $200 flight and their competition charges $220. They don't think about the fact that their net cost with American will be higher when they bring luggage.

As I said earlier, this will (hopefully) start allowing we (the consumer) to have choices on how to fly; we have options to fly an airline with all inclusive pricing or price shop for the lowest overall price regardless of what I need to do to get it. Something for everyone.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

The problem is that most buyers react only to "initial prices": most people just see that American has a $200 flight and their competition charges $220. They don't think about the fact that their net cost with American will be higher when they bring luggage.

As I said earlier, this will (hopefully) start allowing we (the consumer) to have choices on how to fly; we have options to fly an airline with all inclusive pricing or price shop for the lowest overall price regardless of what I need to do to get it. Something for everyone.

Perhaps orbitz and travelocity need to add a fields for "Number of bags", "Do you want snacks", "Water", "Pillow/blanket" and "Use the can" along with destination and date.

[Moonliner]

Well that clears up one issue at least....

Originally Posted by United

UAL Corp.'s United said its baggage fee goes into place with customers who buy tickets beginning Friday for domestic flights of Aug. 18 or later. It does not apply to customers flying in first or business class or those who have premier status with United or Star Alliance, and first and second bags will still be free for itineraries that include international flights, aside from Canada.

I still get to check two free bags on my flight to Orlando next week. Humm, I wonder if I could make a quick $20 by offering to check a couple of bags for some stranger who booked the same flight at the last min.