Spirit Charging for Carry-ons. Will AA Follow? (Speculation)
Apr 7, 2010, 8:22 pm
#47
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 3,182
I see no mention of those (few) flying in Spirit's business class being exempt from this fee. Does that mean that even those up front will pay?
Apr 7, 2010, 10:14 pm
#48
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YXU / YUL
Programs: AA LT Gold, Aeroplan, Marriott Titanium (LT Platinum), HH Diamond
Posts: 407
Flying from Canada to the US last month I paid only $15 for a checked bag, but I see it has been raised to $25.
At least our dollar here seems headed higher than the US, so that increase won't seem quite as bad.
At least our dollar here seems headed higher than the US, so that increase won't seem quite as bad.
Apr 7, 2010, 10:41 pm
#49
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: The Metroplex
Programs: AA EXP 4MM, SPG Platinum
Posts: 111
<redacted>
On a serious note, isn't the idea to price carry-ons higher than checked bags, so people will opt for checking bags?
I don't think this is as much about a new, incremental revenue stream as it is about trying to dive more business to an existing channel (checked bag fees). Result is revenue uplift and faster boarding times (OTDs).
No?
On a serious note, isn't the idea to price carry-ons higher than checked bags, so people will opt for checking bags?
I don't think this is as much about a new, incremental revenue stream as it is about trying to dive more business to an existing channel (checked bag fees). Result is revenue uplift and faster boarding times (OTDs).
No?
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 9, 2010 at 9:43 am Reason: What goes on in OMNI stays in OMNI, please
Apr 8, 2010, 12:25 am
#50
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: ATX (Austin, USA)
Programs: United, AA Gold, InsideFlyer subscriber
Posts: 187
Too many fees. Lowering the cost of the tickets but increases the surcharges. Stop with the games.
Apr 8, 2010, 7:26 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 3,182
Agreed. I a better idea would be to keep the ticket prices where they'd need to be in order to allow one checked bag for free and the two carry-ons most are accustomed to, and then offering people a $20 voucher for each of those three items they don't bring. Achieves the same goal, but much more positive PR. When you check in w/o bags you get handed one. When you board w/o carry-on you are handed another. When redeeming, there can be a limit of 2 per ticket.
Apr 8, 2010, 9:54 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,590
this thread makes me sick. Give me this, give me that. FREE! heaven forbid an airline attempt to not lose money...
Apr 9, 2010, 4:08 am
#54
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: up front or in a suite!!!!
Programs: all the big ones.. no LCCs for me
Posts: 1,064
Do you?
check bags
carry on
ship
wear the same one thing every day
maye if you and-or the company you work for want the airline to not lose money, you can buy full Y/J/F every time you buy a ticket, that would be much healthier for the airline
you need to do your part too
Apr 9, 2010, 6:46 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 168
so tell me then, how do you travel?
Do you?
check bags
carry on
ship
wear the same one thing every day
maye if you and-or the company you work for want the airline to not lose money, you can buy full Y/J/F every time you buy a ticket, that would be much healthier for the airline
you need to do your part too
Do you?
check bags
carry on
ship
wear the same one thing every day
maye if you and-or the company you work for want the airline to not lose money, you can buy full Y/J/F every time you buy a ticket, that would be much healthier for the airline
you need to do your part too
Back on topic:
I think the checked baggage fee has turned boarding the plane into a giant <redacted>. I saw a guy carry a hockey bag onto the plane and expect it to fit. You could have fit a body in that thing. And the GA let him on???
Charging for carry-on bags would help relieve some of that mess, but I really think it would push everyone over to WM. I know if I wasn't exempt I would be looking for other options ASAP. As it is, I think WM offers a comparable overall experience to AA if you're non-elite. Yes, the board process is lame, but it works. And you can pay to go first if you want. Their planes seem to be on time MUCH more often and their staff is a lot more friendly. Alas- WM from Dallas is unacceptably complicated. Anything more than a short hop to a neighboring state requires a connection. For me, it's not worth the hassle. I know may elites use the connection games for the miles, but I loathe wasting time at airports and the potential for missed connections. Give me NS anyday.
However- the fee game really has increased my AA loyalty. Not having to pay bag fees and getting on the plane first is a perk that I am not interested in giving up anytime soon.
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 9, 2010 at 9:44 am Reason: FT Rules q#88
Apr 9, 2010, 7:14 am
#56
Join Date: May 2009
Location: IND || CMI
Programs: AA EXP 1M, Marriott LT Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 631
+1 ... I have had to help people get their baggage in and/or store it right just so we could have a pseudo-chance of getting off the ground.
Or my other favorite ... even when in FC lately, if I come late due to a connection issue, it is a struggle sometimes to get my stuff into the overhead bin ...
+-ADT
Or my other favorite ... even when in FC lately, if I come late due to a connection issue, it is a struggle sometimes to get my stuff into the overhead bin ...
+-ADT
Mine does, actually. Every ticket I buy for business travel is Y class. I have no idea how the cost model supports that, but that's how the travel agency is configured!
Back on topic:
I think the checked baggage fee has turned boarding the plane into a giant clusterf**k. I saw a guy carry a hockey bag onto the plane and expect it to fit. You could have fit a body in that thing. And the GA let him on???
Charging for carry-on bags would help relieve some of that mess, but I really think it would push everyone over to WM. I know if I wasn't exempt I would be looking for other options ASAP. As it is, I think WM offers a comparable overall experience to AA if you're non-elite. Yes, the board process is lame, but it works. And you can pay to go first if you want. Their planes seem to be on time MUCH more often and their staff is a lot more friendly. Alas- WM from Dallas is unacceptably complicated. Anything more than a short hop to a neighboring state requires a connection. For me, it's not worth the hassle. I know may elites use the connection games for the miles, but I loathe wasting time at airports and the potential for missed connections. Give me NS anyday.
However- the fee game really has increased my AA loyalty. Not having to pay bag fees and getting on the plane first is a perk that I am not interested in giving up anytime soon.
Back on topic:
I think the checked baggage fee has turned boarding the plane into a giant clusterf**k. I saw a guy carry a hockey bag onto the plane and expect it to fit. You could have fit a body in that thing. And the GA let him on???
Charging for carry-on bags would help relieve some of that mess, but I really think it would push everyone over to WM. I know if I wasn't exempt I would be looking for other options ASAP. As it is, I think WM offers a comparable overall experience to AA if you're non-elite. Yes, the board process is lame, but it works. And you can pay to go first if you want. Their planes seem to be on time MUCH more often and their staff is a lot more friendly. Alas- WM from Dallas is unacceptably complicated. Anything more than a short hop to a neighboring state requires a connection. For me, it's not worth the hassle. I know may elites use the connection games for the miles, but I loathe wasting time at airports and the potential for missed connections. Give me NS anyday.
However- the fee game really has increased my AA loyalty. Not having to pay bag fees and getting on the plane first is a perk that I am not interested in giving up anytime soon.
Apr 9, 2010, 7:59 am
#57
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA EXP, 1 MM, AC, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,010
It's not my responsibility to stow someone else's carry-on. If they can't make it fit in a reasonable amount of time, an FA can carry it off the plane.
Apr 9, 2010, 8:11 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AA Concierge Key, Delta, United, Emorates, and others
Posts: 4,694
This thread is more fun that the other speculations. Of course AA will never do this, just as it will not work for Spirit.
That is my speculation.
That is my speculation.
Apr 9, 2010, 8:21 am
#59
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,172
OT:
I think they should start doing a lot more valet checking. Increased in checked baggage may result in more lost baggage claims, inconvenience frequent flyers, etc. I do not mind valet checking my bag at all like AE. I see more pros than cons in that approach. Only thing I see is they may need more manpower, or just more time for the existing ones to valet check more bags.
I think they should start doing a lot more valet checking. Increased in checked baggage may result in more lost baggage claims, inconvenience frequent flyers, etc. I do not mind valet checking my bag at all like AE. I see more pros than cons in that approach. Only thing I see is they may need more manpower, or just more time for the existing ones to valet check more bags.
Apr 9, 2010, 9:36 am
#60
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Programs: AA PLT, AA 1MM, Marriott GLD
Posts: 473
I think the checked baggage fee has turned boarding the plane into a giant [redacted]. I saw a guy carry a hockey bag onto the plane and expect it to fit. You could have fit a body in that thing. And the GA let him on???
I haven't noticed significantly more carry-ons since the bag fees were implemented, but everyone's MMV. What I have noticed is plenty of complaining about the fees from people who nevertheless just suck it up and pay them. Most people I know in my personal life haven't changed their traveling M.O. with regard to luggage. I know I haven't. I've carried on for pretty much all my adult life, just because I like to keep things simple and travel light.
Last edited by magic111; Apr 9, 2010 at 2:35 pm