Gary Kelly: "Never say never" on bag fees
Jan 25, 2013, 12:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,975
Gary Kelly: "Never say never" on bag fees
Just a quick post of the link; haven't played the video:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100403693
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100403693
Jan 25, 2013, 1:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PDX
Posts: 469
With the EBCI, and the new 'upgraded boarding', they should be making money from those fees. Hopefully that will be enough and won't extend to bags too.
Jan 25, 2013, 2:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
They have trimed the fat as much as they can...
Nothing wrong with a profit, it is right up there with breathing...
Carrying a bunch of extra weight cost fuel...most of us carry too much extra weight...
Did hate to see the IND Chicago run go....
Nothing wrong with a profit, it is right up there with breathing...
Carrying a bunch of extra weight cost fuel...most of us carry too much extra weight...
Did hate to see the IND Chicago run go....
Jan 25, 2013, 2:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,503
Bags Fly Free may have meant something when most people paid for bags on full service carriers. At this point, most major carriers do not charge bag fees for customers with their credit cards, have elite status with one of their partners. So while I have elite status with AA, I do not pay to check bags on AS, my wife has a UA credit card, so no fees there either.
The other reality is that WN's fares are no longer the lowest, so if someone was to selecting a carrier based on price alone, adds in bag fees, there are other available options.
The other reality is that WN's fares are no longer the lowest, so if someone was to selecting a carrier based on price alone, adds in bag fees, there are other available options.
Jan 25, 2013, 2:48 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,091
Bags Fly Free may have meant something when most people paid for bags on full service carriers. At this point, most major carriers do not charge bag fees for customers with their credit cards, have elite status with one of their partners. So while I have elite status with AA, I do not pay to check bags on AS, my wife has a UA credit card, so no fees there either.
The other reality is that WN's fares are no longer the lowest, so if someone was to selecting a carrier based on price alone, adds in bag fees, there are other available options.
The other reality is that WN's fares are no longer the lowest, so if someone was to selecting a carrier based on price alone, adds in bag fees, there are other available options.
Jan 25, 2013, 3:23 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 933
Just watched the local news. Talk about scaring customers about bag fee's. They just said WN wouldn't add bag fee's this year but they are considering it because things are crazy all over the industry and they may have to start charging.
With that said, Kelly is looking for customer feedback as to whether have to have bundles, other fee's etc. WN is slowing turning into a legacy carrier. First it was different fare structures, then EBCI, A List, $40 buy up and now maybe bag fee's. Dont get me wrong, they should make a profit but too many changes at once may drive people away.
Folks fly WN because they are a good airline with a good schedule. The big thing, whether a leisure traveler or a business traveler, people fly them because they don't have a baggage fee. The next thing you may see would be assigned seating. Who knows.
With that said, Kelly is looking for customer feedback as to whether have to have bundles, other fee's etc. WN is slowing turning into a legacy carrier. First it was different fare structures, then EBCI, A List, $40 buy up and now maybe bag fee's. Dont get me wrong, they should make a profit but too many changes at once may drive people away.
Folks fly WN because they are a good airline with a good schedule. The big thing, whether a leisure traveler or a business traveler, people fly them because they don't have a baggage fee. The next thing you may see would be assigned seating. Who knows.
Jan 25, 2013, 3:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston (HOU/IAH)
Programs: WN, UA, DL, AA, Chase UR, Amex MR
Posts: 2,269
Truthfully, I think they should have adopted a one free bag only (like B6) back before they bet the farm on the Bags (plural) Fly Free campaign. One bag gives everybody that wiggle room even with the strict carry on security restrictions while making the people who over pack pay for the privilege.
Jan 25, 2013, 3:52 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Prediction: First a fee for second bags, but $5-$10 lower than everyone else. Then, eventually, a fee for first bags as well, also slightly lower in price than the legacies, and with an exception for A-Listers and BS tickets. Since most business travelers don't check a bag anyway, this won't "cost" WN much, but will give them a way of positioning it. Either will probably be announced in conjunction with the new baggage tracking system.
Jan 25, 2013, 4:02 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,202
Prediction: Bags fly free v2.0 will mean "one checked bag upto 50# and one carry on bag in the overhead bin. I'll also predict that A+ customers will get a 2nd bag free, while A- customers will get a 2nd bag for half price.
Jan 25, 2013, 5:04 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
But, as you said, WN has to make a profit and IND-MDW must have been really unprofitable.
I, too, think that WN will go to "one bag free" for the general population and "one extra bag" for A-Listers/BS fares. Slowly but surely inching toward a legacy carrier...
I, too, think that WN will go to "one bag free" for the general population and "one extra bag" for A-Listers/BS fares. Slowly but surely inching toward a legacy carrier...