Originally Posted by
essxjay
But I've never seen any evidence of per bag fee collections as such at European airports; just for over-weight bags, extra bags, odd-sized checked items. What am I missing?
The KLM site has a good description of it. Within Europe they go by weight only, regardless of the number of pieces. For international and code share flights they go by piece, but still with (higher) weight limits
And we do have it good. For comparison, I just looked up two 300 mile trips on non RJ jets, cheap economy ticket, flyer with no elite status, no oddball oversize or overweight bags.
NW on a DC 9: Carry on one 45 inch dimension bag, plus one accessory (briefcase, laptop, or backpack), no weight limit. Checked: one bag, max 50 pounds. To check a second 50 pound bag is $25. So NW will carry 100 pounds checked for $25 total surcharge one way.
KLM on a 737: Suppose on an AMS vacation you want to make a side trip to Berlin and buy a local tic not related to TATL travel. Carry on one 45 inch bag plus accessories, max weight total for bag and accessories 12 kg/26.4 pounds. Checked baggage weight 20 kg/44 pounds.
Close so far, but if you are a typical too much baggage Americal tourist, watch out. For your checked bag, anything over your 44 pound allowance is 12 Euro per KG One Way. That is USD $8.17 per pound one way.
To check the same 100 pounds is a $457.52 surcharge.
Got baggage in AMS? Take the train to Berlin.
