American to charge for FIRST checked bag.

Alex · 05-21-2008, 11:38 AM

At least with United, when checking in online or at the kiosks there is already the ability to check luggage as well as the ability to handle payment for flight upgrades so I don't see why they wouldn't be able to handle accepting payments for checked bags (if they wanted to).

Continental has already said they won't be matching this move. If the other non-budget airlines do the same I expect American will back down.

madmonkeygirl · 05-21-2008, 12:20 PM

Well i only travel by air maybe once a year once every two years so for me it's not a big huge deal. Most of the time i travel by car. But i saw this coming. With the costs of gas and living and the economy it's not a shock. I don't make enough trips on an airplane to really matter. Hmmm maybe i should consider trying to find out how to get a ride on the band's plane instead no charges for baggage lmao..

Moonliner · 05-21-2008, 12:28 PM

Another telling point...

My wife typically makes several flights a month. On an American flight last Monday she was told her carry on was too heavy and would need to be checked. This was a first in all her years of travel using the same carry on.

Now it makes sense.

Kevy Baby · 05-21-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prudence

I know that from a marketing standpoint it makes sense to have the prices low and all services be add-on. It still bugs me.

The interesting thing is that you (for now at least) have a choice. United (or some other airline) has pricing that includes luggage whereas American does not. You have the choice of not flying American.

Moonliner · 05-21-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

The interesting thing is that you (for now at least) have a choice. United (or some other airline) has pricing that includes luggage whereas American does not. You have the choice of not flying American.

Point A) Unless you booked tickets on American months ago for a flight to Orlando....

Point B) "For Now" being the key operative phrase in your comment.

Edited to add: In regards to point 'A': Oops! Never mind. I'm on United. Yea me.

Kevy Baby · 05-21-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Point A) Unless you booked tickets on American months ago for a flight to Orlando....

I'm not a lawyer (but I've played doctor many times in my life), but I would think that American would have to honor those tickets which were sold including the first piece of luggage (or whatever the rule was in effect at the time of purchase). They entered into a legally binding agreement by selling the ticket.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Point B) "For Now" being the key operative phrase in your comment.

Agreed. Although I wonder if this may become a point of differentiation between airlines. "Come fly with us as we don't charge you for the first piece of luggage."

But given the herd mentality of the airline industry, I don't hold much hope for this option.

05-21-2008, 11:38 AM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	At least with United, when checking in online or at the kiosks there is already the ability to check luggage as well as the ability to handle payment for flight upgrades so I don't see why they wouldn't be able to handle accepting payments for checked bags (if they wanted to). Continental has already said they won't be matching this move. If the other non-budget airlines do the same I expect American will back down.
	Submit to Quotes

05-21-2008, 12:20 PM	#2
madmonkeygirl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 764	American to charge for FIRST checked bag. Well i only travel by air maybe once a year once every two years so for me it's not a big huge deal. Most of the time i travel by car. But i saw this coming. With the costs of gas and living and the economy it's not a shock. I don't make enough trips on an airplane to really matter. Hmmm maybe i should consider trying to find out how to get a ride on the band's plane instead no charges for baggage lmao..
	Submit to Quotes

05-21-2008, 12:28 PM	#3
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Another telling point... My wife typically makes several flights a month. On an American flight last Monday she was told her carry on was too heavy and would need to be checked. This was a first in all her years of travel using the same carry on. Now it makes sense. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes