Irritated with baggage fees
Jul 25, 2014, 2:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 61
Long layover checked baggage questions
I am taking a flight to go to GGT on Sunday. Because of the flight times to get there in the morning, I have a layover in Miami until the next morning. AA has informed me that I will pay to check my bag from my departure city, I will be required to pick up my bag (fine) and then pay to re-check it in Miami (not fine) to conclude my flight. It's one ticket, same PNR, just with a long layover. This just seems like serious bullcrap to me. So now, my 25 dollar bag fee just jumped to 50 because of a layover and an AA rule? It doesn't seem right. Is it just how it is and I need to suck it up? I'm not an AA flyer, so I'm not used to them.
ps- I didn't search if this was a common occurance...I am too mad... please help me!
ps- I didn't search if this was a common occurance...I am too mad... please help me!
Last edited by blueskadoo; Jul 25, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Jul 25, 2014, 2:56 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,952
You can probably send a note to customer service and have the second fee refunded after the fact. It's a reasonable request, as long as the booking is a last-in first-out (i.e. you are taking the first flight to GGT after your arrival in MIA).
Jul 25, 2014, 2:59 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,620
That is just how it is; standard for baggage fees
The bag fees will be calculated to the point where you collect the bags. Next time you check in you will be charged the fees for that next journey section
The bag fees will be calculated to the point where you collect the bags. Next time you check in you will be charged the fees for that next journey section
Jul 25, 2014, 3:20 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 61
It is the last flight in and first flight out. I think it's quite ridiculous and gouging. Greedy. It's unfortunate that they are the only choice for this destination given the airports that surround me. Truly frustrating and just utter nickel and dime-ing.
Jul 25, 2014, 3:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Are you even given the option to check them though? (no collection in MIA?)
Jul 25, 2014, 4:00 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
Kinda smells like BS to me too. I haven't had an over night layover but AA had no problems checking my bag through last summer when I had a 9 hour one in ORD so I could do some site seeing in the city. I'd ask the agent to check the bag through when you drop it off. At worst you know what'll happen and maybe they'll be able to.
Jul 25, 2014, 6:10 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Well, I'd certainly ask for them to be checked straight though at the first AP. (And have a change of clothes in a small carryon.) I'd be surprised if you were denied, but it would not be the first time!
Jul 25, 2014, 6:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SOF
Programs: A3 Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 849
I am taking a flight to go to GGT on Sunday. Because of the flight times to get there in the morning, I have a layover in Miami until the next morning. AA has informed me that I will pay to check my bag from my departure city, I will be required to pick up my bag (fine) and then pay to re-check it in Miami (not fine) to conclude my flight. It's one ticket, same PNR, just with a long layover. This just seems like serious bullcrap to me. So now, my 25 dollar bag fee just jumped to 50 because of a layover and an AA rule? It doesn't seem right. Is it just how it is and I need to suck it up? I'm not an AA flyer, so I'm not used to them.
ps- I didn't search if this was a common occurance...I am too mad... please help me!
ps- I didn't search if this was a common occurance...I am too mad... please help me!
Jul 25, 2014, 6:25 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
No such thing as a layover and that's what is causing confusion. OP does not have a connection, he has a stopover and I suspect that if he looks at his ticket, he will see that it is priced as that. Can't be certain without the exact routing and fare details, but I'd bet that the ticket price itself is a good deal more than the extra $25 because of the stopover.
Indeed on a stopover, the bag fees are payable on each of the two segments and I suspect that is what OP's e-ticket receipt shows and it is what the AA agent will see at check-in in MIA.
It can't hurt to send in a webform after the ticket is complete. But, don't expect to see a refund.
Indeed on a stopover, the bag fees are payable on each of the two segments and I suspect that is what OP's e-ticket receipt shows and it is what the AA agent will see at check-in in MIA.
It can't hurt to send in a webform after the ticket is complete. But, don't expect to see a refund.
Jul 25, 2014, 6:42 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 61
Can you guys tell me what I would look for on my e-ticket that would help me determine if it's a stopover, a connection or a layover?
Jul 25, 2014, 8:16 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
1. There is no such thing as a layover.
2. A domestic connection cannot exceed 4 hours. Your is longer than 4 hours, so it is a stopover.
3. If you look at the e-ticket receipt, in the long string of letters and numbers which will include your origin, MIA and destination, there will be a base fare. If you are on a connection, it will be one base fare. If it is a stopover, there will almost certainly be two base fares, one for AAA-MIA and the other for MIA-BBB. This is not written in stone, but is likely.
The best you are going to do here is to ask AA to check your bags to your final destination when you check-in. The agent should not do so, but it happens and, if he does, you save $25.
Alternatively, AA's carry-on allowance is pretty generous.
2. A domestic connection cannot exceed 4 hours. Your is longer than 4 hours, so it is a stopover.
3. If you look at the e-ticket receipt, in the long string of letters and numbers which will include your origin, MIA and destination, there will be a base fare. If you are on a connection, it will be one base fare. If it is a stopover, there will almost certainly be two base fares, one for AAA-MIA and the other for MIA-BBB. This is not written in stone, but is likely.
The best you are going to do here is to ask AA to check your bags to your final destination when you check-in. The agent should not do so, but it happens and, if he does, you save $25.
Alternatively, AA's carry-on allowance is pretty generous.
Jul 25, 2014, 8:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,952
1. There is no such thing as a layover.
2. A domestic connection cannot exceed 4 hours. Your is longer than 4 hours, so it is a stopover.
3. If you look at the e-ticket receipt, in the long string of letters and numbers which will include your origin, MIA and destination, there will be a base fare. If you are on a connection, it will be one base fare. If it is a stopover, there will almost certainly be two base fares, one for AAA-MIA and the other for MIA-BBB. This is not written in stone, but is likely.
The best you are going to do here is to ask AA to check your bags to your final destination when you check-in. The agent should not do so, but it happens and, if he does, you save $25.
Alternatively, AA's carry-on allowance is pretty generous.
2. A domestic connection cannot exceed 4 hours. Your is longer than 4 hours, so it is a stopover.
3. If you look at the e-ticket receipt, in the long string of letters and numbers which will include your origin, MIA and destination, there will be a base fare. If you are on a connection, it will be one base fare. If it is a stopover, there will almost certainly be two base fares, one for AAA-MIA and the other for MIA-BBB. This is not written in stone, but is likely.
The best you are going to do here is to ask AA to check your bags to your final destination when you check-in. The agent should not do so, but it happens and, if he does, you save $25.
Alternatively, AA's carry-on allowance is pretty generous.
#2 is absolutely untrue. AA has a last-in first-out rule that would very likely allow this routing as a connection.
Jul 25, 2014, 8:31 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,952
Aha! Easy example.
OP- if you want to PM me I can help you take a look and determine your fare construction.
OP- if you want to PM me I can help you take a look and determine your fare construction.
Jul 25, 2014, 9:37 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,970
We could, but it has no bearing on checked baggage rules. For overnight connections in the US, AA's checked bag rule is that you must reclaim and recheck if the connection is more than 12 hours. That may also apply for same-day connections that exceed 12 hours, but I'm not sure.