American to charge for FIRST checked bag.

[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.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I just don't get it. They're losing money. They need to charge more.

I get that - I do. That's quite why I didn't have a problem with it initially. Except that they HAVE raised prices. A lot. Typically it costs us about $400/person to fly right around Christmas (the most expensive time of the year, in my six years of experience with this particular round-trip.) This summer it's costing twice that. So they're already charging more - a lot more, 100% more. The luggage charges on top of it is frustrating. The whole affair is frustrating.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

I get that - I do. That's quite why I didn't have a problem with it initially. Except that they HAVE raised prices. A lot. Typically it costs us about $400/person to fly right around Christmas (the most expensive time of the year, in my six years of experience with this particular round-trip.) This summer it's costing twice that. So they're already charging more - a lot more, 100% more.

This is just simply the classic supply and demand playing itself out. There is a higher demand for flights around Christmas time, so they can charge more for it. The exact same flight in say September is probably cheaper.

As a big fan of free markets, I support this. I may not always like it, and it certainly isn't a perfect system, but it is (IMO) the best one available.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

This is just simply the classic supply and demand playing itself out. There is a higher demand for flights around Christmas time, so they can charge more for it. The exact same flight in say September is probably cheaper.

What Katie said.

But either way, the fact still remains that people are choosing their flights based on one thing and one thing alone - which flight pops up at the top of a "sort by lowest price" search. Every dollar they can remove from that ticket price will increase their sales. They have no choice, any other option means losing money.

[Gemini Cricket]

"The major airlines are truly a la carte now — you don't get anything free any more," said Parsons, chief executive of the travel Web site Bestfares.com. "You get a tin can in the air, and anything else you pay as you go."

He expects the legacy carriers to follow the lead of discount carrier Spirit Airlines, which now charges extra for seat reservations — $5 for middle seats, $10 for window and aisle seats and $15 for exit-row seats. Other airlines also have begun charging for window or aisle seats.

Source
There's a possibility the big airlines could be charging for reserving seats, too? I missed that bit of news.