American’s great new idea: Nickel and diming to the tune of $15
I wasn’t going to chime in on American’s great new idea of further nickel and diming passengers with its new $15 fee for the first checked bag, but I can’t resist. Personally, I’d rather they just add to the ticket cost than tack on a bunch of fees, even though it would mean people like me who seldom check a bag end up paying more than we would otherwise.
First it was hotels charging separate fees for everything from baggage handling to in-room safes (we won’t go into resort fees–life is too short), then it was taxis (and everyone else) adding fuel surcharges, and now the airlines. Sheesh, they get you coming, going, and everywhere in between.
Who said travel wasn’t still glamorous?
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
My fear is that the $15 fee will encourage travelers to schlep even more stuff onto flights. I’m with you - I would prefer that the airlines simply add the 15 bucks to the ticket. Additionally, it seems like this fee will make it more complicated to do expenses for business travelers.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
It seems like every time we turn around there is an added cost for travel. It is a catch twenty-two because it is expensive to drive and to fly so which one is the better option. I will say that I was not happy to hear about American’s new baggage cost so I went to their website to check it out for myself. I found out that there are several types of travelers that are exempt from the baggage fee. Check out the link below to American’s policy on baggage fees for more information. Then click on View Exceptions. It pays to be a gold or platinum member.
http://www.aa.com/apps/netSAAver/ViewPromotionsDetail.jhtml?anchorLocation=index.jhtml&repositoryId=16075429&repositoryName=PromotionContentRepository&itemDescriptor=PromotionContent
Today I had to change a flight for an upcoming site visit and the American representative said that the change fee has gone up to $150 rather than $100 when you change your flight. This is getting out of control. What are airlines to do with our economy so bad that every other week an airline goes out of business or files for bankruptcy and the fuel cost is ridiculous!
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Whereas most business attempt to provide service with less hassle, the airlines seem to think hassling customers will somehow enhance their profits and improve loyalty among fliers. Charging fliers at check-in will obviously slow things down, making lines longer. For those who think air travel is more expensive now than before, it’s not. I can still travel from DC to San Diego, non-stop, for under $325. I paid this much for that same trip in 1992. While everything else you buy has gone up, and with fuel costs increasing rapidly, the airlines are still reluctant to increase ticket prices. WAKE UP YOU AIRLINES! Charge the money you need in order to provide a decent service! Look at what you are doing to your customers! If you try to charge me a $1 for those nasty pretzels (I can’t even get peanuts anymore!!!!!!), I will S-C-R-E-A-M! Yes, cost is one aspect of flying, but it’s not the only consideration. I no longer fly United as much because their service is horrible and their “extra bag charge” is a joke. I expect these BS fees to be short-lived, much like when hotels applied an energy surcharge several years ago.
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