Delta SkyMiles (Pre-WorldPerks Merger) - Fee for flying with surfboard

I am going to fly JAX-ATL-HNL outbound and HNL-LAX-ATL-JAX inbound within the next month. I was contemplating taking my surfboard to Hawaii, but I just contacted Delta's customer service and was informed that they charge $100.00 for each leg of the trip. The insteresting aspect is that the HNL-LAX portion of the trip is considered one leg (?). What this means is that I am going to pay baggage fees in three legs, instead of two. We are talking about $300.00 just in baggage fees (by the way, a brand new surfboard starts right around $400). The problem is that JAX is my final destination, not LAX. The HNL-LAX flight takes off at 10:55 PM on 27 March and arrives at 6:08 AM on the next day. I will have a one-hour layover before catching my LAX-ATL connection. Did anyone ever come across a similar situation? Is it safe to assume the attendant made a mistake? I know that Delta is in bad shape financially, but this is simply ridiculous. Any input on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

I am going to fly JAX-ATL-HNL outbound and HNL-LAX-ATL-JAX inbound within the next month. I was contemplating taking my surfboard to Hawaii, but I just contacted Delta's customer service and was informed that they charge $100.00 for each leg of the trip. The insteresting aspect is that the HNL-LAX portion of the trip is considered one leg (?). What this means is that I am going to pay baggage fees in three legs, instead of two. We are talking about $300.00 just in baggage fees (by the way, a brand new surfboard starts right around $400). The problem is that JAX is my final destination, not LAX. The HNL-LAX flight takes off at 10:55 PM on 27 March and arrives at 6:08 AM on the next day. I will have a one-hour layover before catching my LAX-ATL connection. Did anyone ever come across a similar situation? Is it safe to assume the attendant made a mistake? I know that Delta is in bad shape financially, but this is simply ridiculous. Any input on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

I think you should take DL nonstop from HNL-ATL for overnight flight. You shouldn't take on HNL-LAX-ATL will not good for 2 stopover in ATL & LAX. You will request talk with DL on the phone if change the flights nonstop HNL-ATL then JAX much easier.

If the outbound is 2 legs ($200) and the return is 3 legs ($300) - which it is, if you are changing planes in LAX - then I would save my $500 and either (a) rent a surfboard in HNL, or (b) pay the $500 and take someone along with me who would provide better entertainment than a surfboard. :D

All joking aside, this sounds correct, but give DL a call back to verify if you think the first agent was mistaken.

I am going to fly JAX-ATL-HNL outbound and HNL-LAX-ATL-JAX inbound within the next month. I was contemplating taking my surfboard to Hawaii, but I just contacted Delta's customer service and was informed that they charge $100.00 for each leg of the trip.

If the surfboard is 1 of your 2 "allowed" checked bags and weighs less than 50lbs, then the CSR was correct in that only a "excess size" fee of $100 per leg will be charged.

If you have a 3rd checked bag and/or 1 that weighs more than 50lbs, then you will be charged additional fees as stated here:

Excess Baggage fees (https://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/baggage_allowance/excess_baggage/index.jsp)

Here's some additional info on Delta's policy with regards to surfboards:

Delta: Surfboards (https://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/fragile_bulky/sporting_goods/index.jsp#surfboards)

However, it seems that the definition of what constitutes a "leg" is the primary issue that is causing a bit of confusion.

Essentially....all flight segments between your origin and either a stopover (not to be confused with a connection) or your destination make up "1" leg.

A "stopover" is an interruption to your final destination that results in you having to take possession of your checked baggage at that point.

However, if you are going to/from Hawaii without "stopping over" at some intermediate point, then you only have 1 leg each way regardless of the number of flight segments that make up the "leg"........for a total of 2 legs....which is the standard makeup of a simple round trip itinerary.

IOWs, unless you plan to spend some additional time in either LAX or ATL as opposed to simply connecting between flights, HNL-LAX-ATL-JAX is only considered to be 1 "leg". ;)

A.J.

I am using a Skysaver Award for this trip. Believe me, I would not be doing the HNL-LAX leg unless it was absolutely necessary. However, I think the previous user misunderstood me. Here is a breakdown of the fees, according to the Delta attendant:

March 14: JAX-ATL-HNL - 1 leg ($100.00)
March 27 - 28: HNL-LAX-ATL-JAX - 2 legs ($200.00)

Total cost: $300.00

The argument: If JAX is my starting point and HNL is the final destination, then the entire inbound segment (HNL-LAX-ATL-JAX) should be considered one leg. According to Delta, HNL-LAX is considered one leg. How can HNL-LAX be considered one leg and the combined segment LAX-ATL-JAX also be considred one, as opposed to two?

I am using a Skysaver Award for this trip.

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According to Delta, HNL-LAX is considered one leg. How can HNL-LAX be considered one leg and the combined segment LAX-ATL-JAX also be considred one, as opposed to two?

By any chance....did you book this award using the "multi-city" award option at Delta.com?

If so, did you use the following in order to find SkySaver availability?

JAX-HNL
HNL-LAX
LAX-JAX

I ask....because if you did what I just mentioned, then it appears to the "system" as though you booked 3 legs.

If you didn't do it this way, then I have no idea as to why Delta would think 3 flight segments without a stopover would be 2 legs as that makes no sense at all.

A.J.

I'd recommend shipping the surfboard using one of the sports equipment shipping services (in fact, I believe Delta will point you to one of them). I have a friend who is a triathlete, and he used to haul multiple bikes with him whenever he went to competitions (and it was a real pain in the a** to take him and all of his crap to the airport, then to pick him an all of his crap up). Now, he just ships is racing and training bikes a couple of days before the race, and he travels fairly light now.

And, of course, he can sleep easy knowing that the evil Delta employees aren't out to "almost kill his bikes" :D

I'm in HNL right now.. been here a week.

You can rent surfboards for $10 a day from a shop one block from Waikiki Beach, near Ohana hotel.. it's like right across the street from Chilis.

That ought to be a lot cheaper than bringing your own.

If you want to bring your own, you could Fedex it to yourself and have it held for pickup for probably less than that amount, on a side note......

(And it would be handled better than all those connections..)

I wonder what it would cost to ship a set of eight of those 42 pound curling stones (rocks) somewhere? :D

BTW, I can't believe how mesmerizing/addicting watching that sport can be. I'm not even sure why. :)

On thread, I'm not a surfer and I'm sure having your own board is much better than renting, but depending on the difference, it sure would be worth considering the latter if it's just for fun and not a competition.