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Originally Posted by Often1
Speaking as someone who learned to pack and doesn't generally check bags, I'm thrilled that carriers charge those that do for all of the extra costs, rather than building those costs into my ticket prices.
Where the system has gone off the rails is with freebies for some. It's one thing to bump up someone spending $40K+ on your airline, another to take someone who may fly alot, but spends little just to fill a seat up front.
I travel with very little even though I am allowed as many as three bags free-- reminds me of bah bah black sheep.
Before airlnes started charging fees for checked luggage, I felt I should get a discount for not using my free allowance. I also do not travel with oversized carry-ons.
Whether airlines should have a programme of benefits, or "freebies", as you call them, is a different issue altogether. There just aren't enough people out there willing to spend $40k a year. For some one who spends a lot more, $40k could be peanuts, and $40k spenders kettle.
So far airlnes do not consider elite benefits burdensome. It could change.