Baggage fees increase
Baggage fees increase
Jan 11, 2010 | 11:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,761
Baggage fees are the new elite reward.
I find the whole baggage fee thing interesting, as they are waived for elites. This allows the airlines to keep the ticket pricing down, and for elite travelers, appears to me to have made WN pretty much uncompetitive with regards to airfares for frequent travelers.
On the flipside, it gives Southwest a huge advantage whenever I book travel for infrequent travelers.
On the flipside, it gives Southwest a huge advantage whenever I book travel for infrequent travelers.
Jan 12, 2010 | 12:08 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,774
It's only a matter of time before CO matches DL increases too if this isn't it... the legacies love the fees and they'll increase them as high as they think they can get away with them.
Jan 12, 2010 | 6:33 am
#4
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1.3MM Gold, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott L-T Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,526
More Money for WN
WN execs just smile every time one of the stupid big 5 legacy carriers raises checked bag fees.
In February six of my family members (parents, siblings, etc.) are coming to CLE from STL for an event.
All are flying WN roundtrip with a return connection at MDW.
CO had direct flights with identical fares.
None of the six has status on CO and none of them wanted to pay the checked bag fees.
In February six of my family members (parents, siblings, etc.) are coming to CLE from STL for an event.
All are flying WN roundtrip with a return connection at MDW.
CO had direct flights with identical fares.
None of the six has status on CO and none of them wanted to pay the checked bag fees.
Jan 12, 2010 | 7:12 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
WN execs just smile every time one of the stupid big 5 legacy carriers raises checked bag fees.
In February six of my family members (parents, siblings, etc.) are coming to CLE from STL for an event.
All are flying WN roundtrip with a return connection at MDW.
CO had direct flights with identical fares.
None of the six has status on CO and none of them wanted to pay the checked bag fees.
In February six of my family members (parents, siblings, etc.) are coming to CLE from STL for an event.
All are flying WN roundtrip with a return connection at MDW.
CO had direct flights with identical fares.
None of the six has status on CO and none of them wanted to pay the checked bag fees.
Jan 12, 2010 | 7:32 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
Just like tens of thousands of people make EWR or JFK connections, or MSP connections, etc.
While a blizzard can be problematic, that's actually quite rare. The place doesn't necessarily get shut down in winter with routine weather.
Jan 12, 2010 | 7:40 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NJ
Programs: AA, DL
Posts: 456
Shesh! I guess now the $85 I pay a year for the continental credit card is worth it as it pays after 3 different flights just on the baggage fee! CRAZY! 
Jan 12, 2010 | 7:48 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 508
That, along with Canada's over-reaction to keep banning carry ons makes me hope Canada's airports are empty.
Jan 12, 2010 | 8:46 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Near Houston
Programs: United GS, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
These fees make Elite status more valuable for mileage redemption for relatives. Now, we have to weigh fare plus tax plus increased baggage fees into the miles vs. money equation. Here are my examples of this -
Flew my niece and nephew from IAH - EWR on my miles last year (25,000 each), and not only were their checked bags free, but they came out very early with the Elite Access tags. I'm assuming that was not an accident...
Flying another niece on the same route in March, but bought her ticket as co.com wanted 50,000 miles. So, she will have to pay to check her bags.
Flew my niece and nephew from IAH - EWR on my miles last year (25,000 each), and not only were their checked bags free, but they came out very early with the Elite Access tags. I'm assuming that was not an accident...
Flying another niece on the same route in March, but bought her ticket as co.com wanted 50,000 miles. So, she will have to pay to check her bags.
Jan 12, 2010 | 8:51 am
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
You can get such a benefit for as little as $25/year (Travel Club Card was that low last I checked) assuming you're able to get the card and willing to carry it.
Jan 12, 2010 | 8:54 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NJ
Programs: AA, DL
Posts: 456
I also got the bonus miles so for now the cont card is good but what is the Travel Club card?? If you have a link I would appreciate it! Thanks! ^
Jan 12, 2010 | 9:22 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, F9 Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,323
I'm sorry, does anyone else find that farking chart on http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../checkbag.aspx to be absolutely insane? Can you imagine what a Kettle must be thinking when they see it!!! This is maddening!
Jan 12, 2010 | 9:47 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,784
I'm sorry, does anyone else find that farking chart on http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../checkbag.aspx to be absolutely insane? Can you imagine what a Kettle must be thinking when they see it!!! This is maddening!
Insofar as the new bag fees, all I can say is, meh... It doesn't affect me or the vast majority of the folks on this board.
Jan 12, 2010 | 10:01 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAS, SAT, IAH
Programs: Flying Nut
Posts: 6,368
bag Fee exemptions for Elites is one of the reasons I like the Co Elite progra,. I don't often check bags for trips but it is nice to be able to any weight and size bag. It is also my way of selling the program to people still thinking about switching. Everything adds up today!
Jan 12, 2010 | 10:05 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAS, SAT, IAH
Programs: Flying Nut
Posts: 6,368
what I am most surprised about when it comes to baggage is the fact that CO dropped the 3 bag gratis for First Class and International Business class to two bags only at 50 lbs. Guess they had to battle the issues of too many bags sent via the many *A partners.