Counter agents pocketing baggage fees?
Mar 17, 2009, 5:06 pm
#1
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Counter agents pocketing baggage fees?
Don't usually read the AA boards, but my husband dropped off our guest from Africa this morning to catch LAX-ORD-BRU-KIN. BRU-KIN is on Brussels Airlines, and the ticket is a codeshare with AA. Our friend had 2 suitcases each weighing 70 lbs, and it was our understanding that AA would charge him $50 per suitcase. However, the agent also said she needed to collect an add'l $50 per bag for Brussels Airlines for the BRU-KIN leg, even though his luggage was checked through. My husband paid 1/2 with a credit card, and our friend paid $100 in cash. They were sent away to screening, but my husband came back to ask a question and saw the counter agent pocketing the $100 in cash. Anybody ever have to pay fees to one carrier for another carrier?? Any recourse?
Mar 17, 2009, 5:16 pm
#2
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A few years back, I checked 3 bags, and had to pay for the additional piece of luggage. At that time, they broke down the charge as a certain amount for them, and a small amount for the final domestic HP segment.
I would have paid all of it on a credit card. I don't know how they account for a cash payment, but I would certainly get a receipt for it. If you didn't get a receipt, I would write to AA about it. A name, or at least a description would help them track down the employee.
I would have paid all of it on a credit card. I don't know how they account for a cash payment, but I would certainly get a receipt for it. If you didn't get a receipt, I would write to AA about it. A name, or at least a description would help them track down the employee.
Mar 17, 2009, 5:16 pm
#3
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Don't usually read the AA boards, but my husband dropped off our guest from Africa this morning to catch LAX-ORD-BRU-KIN. BRU-KIN is on Brussels Airlines, and the ticket is a codeshare with AA. Our friend had 2 suitcases each weighing 70 lbs, and it was our understanding that AA would charge him $50 per suitcase. However, the agent also said she needed to collect an add'l $50 per bag for Brussels Airlines for the BRU-KIN leg, even though his luggage was checked through. My husband paid 1/2 with a credit card, and our friend paid $100 in cash. They were sent away to screening, but my husband came back to ask a question and saw the counter agent pocketing the $100 in cash. Anybody ever have to pay fees to one carrier for another carrier?? Any recourse?
mike
Mar 17, 2009, 5:21 pm
#4
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Mar 17, 2009, 6:58 pm
#6
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SN or KQ don't control the airport checkin process, basically it's a bunch of conmen and gov't quasi officials (is there a difference?) who are all there to extract payoffs.
conclusion: AVOID FIH if you possibly can.
Mar 17, 2009, 7:15 pm
#7
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Was there a receipt given for all charges? That's the way to know it definitely was paid for the reason given by the agent. Collecting an OAL baggage fee is legitimate, basically when baggage rules are different at a connecting carrier than the originating carrier, especially on international itineraries. And being put in his pocket can just be a way to keep the money in his possession, and not floating around in a drawer. However, I'm not implying that it would be impossible for a true "pocketing" to have happened. If there was a receipt, the agent will be turning that fee in at the end of the day.
Mar 17, 2009, 7:47 pm
#8
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Was there a receipt given for all charges? That's the way to know it definitely was paid for the reason given by the agent. Collecting an OAL baggage fee is legitimate, basically when baggage rules are different at a connecting carrier than the originating carrier, especially on international itineraries. And being put in his pocket can just be a way to keep the money in his possession, and not floating around in a drawer. However, I'm not implying that it would be impossible for a true "pocketing" to have happened. If there was a receipt, the agent will be turning that fee in at the end of the day.
Mar 17, 2009, 8:43 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Our friend had 2 suitcases each weighing 70 lbs, and it was our understanding that AA would charge him $50 per suitcase. However, the agent also said she needed to collect an add'l $50 per bag for Brussels Airlines for the BRU-KIN leg, even though his luggage was checked through. My husband paid 1/2 with a credit card, and our friend paid $100 in cash. They were sent away to screening, but my husband came back to ask a question and saw the counter agent pocketing the $100 in cash. Anybody ever have to pay fees to one carrier for another carrier?? Any recourse?
According to the Brussels Airlines website, luggage allowance is 46kg in economy and 64kg in business. 2 x 70lbs = 64 kg so presumably your friend was not in business, as there would be no charge for that. They charge 14 euros/kg for excess baggage (though it does say "Different charges may apply on codeshare flights and on some specific routes."), so if the friend's bags were 18kgs over the limit, it would be 252 euros, or about $325.
I've no idea what AA does about excess baggage charges when you're connecting to another non-oneworld airline and/or whether or not the fact that it's an AA codeshare flight to FIH makes a difference. The AA website is non-specific and says "contact reservations" - maybe worth a call to ask them what you would be charged on such an itinerary?
Mar 17, 2009, 10:20 pm
#10
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I've no idea what AA does about excess baggage charges when you're connecting to another non-oneworld airline and/or whether or not the fact that it's an AA codeshare flight to FIH makes a difference. The AA website is non-specific and says "contact reservations" - maybe worth a call to ask them what you would be charged on such an itinerary?
Mar 17, 2009, 11:22 pm
#11
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As long as you got receipts this sounds like a perfectly legitimate transaction to me. It's not like they have cash registers at the ticket counters. Ta's, just like FA's on flights, probably often handle cash transactions out of pocket, then settle up at the end of their shift.
Mar 18, 2009, 1:02 pm
#12
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It does sound fishy!
However, merely putting the cash in his pocket does not mean he stole it.
However, merely putting the cash in his pocket does not mean he stole it.
Was there a receipt given for all charges? That's the way to know it definitely was paid for the reason given by the agent. Collecting an OAL baggage fee is legitimate, basically when baggage rules are different at a connecting carrier than the originating carrier, especially on international itineraries. And being put in his pocket can just be a way to keep the money in his possession, and not floating around in a drawer. However, I'm not implying that it would be impossible for a true "pocketing" to have happened. If there was a receipt, the agent will be turning that fee in at the end of the day.