- Requested Travel Info
Airline passengers are not happy today, and with good cause . . .
During the past few years, major airline have done away with meals, pillows and blankets in order to save money. And judging from customer complaints and on-time reports, the area of customer service is also lacking.
As the cost of fuel continues to rise, the airlines say they have to drop extras, and have fewer choices for new sources of revenue.
Let me suggest two areas of cost cutting - First, the million dollar salaries and bonuses top airline executives continue to make in good or bad times - no cost cuts there! And secondly, fuel is a commodity, and commodities are optioned - so it would be smart to option the cost of fuel at a certain price, and therefore stabilize the cost. Southwest Airlines has been doing this for years, and has saved millions on fuel costs.
Families are already having a difficult time with the $100 per piece charge for the 3rd, 4th and 5th checked bags when traveling on vacation with multiple family members.
Today American Airlines made an announcement that has passengers and the travel industry shaking their heads. Earlier this year, the major airlines started charging for second bag, but today American has become the first airline to announce a $15 charge EACH WAY for one checked bag.
Will the other airlines follow suit? That's what normally happens, but a few may opt to not go along in order to attract more passengers. I've seen this airline dog and pony show too many times over the decades, and these type of charges usually become an industry standard.
I predict many customers will react to this new policy by trying to pack as much into their carry on luggage as possible. What this will serve to do is hold up lines with security personnel having to check more items, and it will also cause an issue with storing all that overhead luggage.
As usual these announcements do not include everyone, which only causes more confusion for travelers. In order to clarify this, here's what is printed on American's website today . . . Linda
______________________________________________________
The following customers will not be charged a service fee to check a bag provided the bag is within the weight allowance:
* For the first checked bag, customers who buy a ticket before June 15, 2008, or who fly before June 15, 2008
* For the second checked bag, customers who purchased a ticket before May 12, 2008
* Customers originating travel in the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Canada and traveling to an international destination beyond the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Canada
* Customers originating travel outside the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Canada and traveling to an international destination
* Customers who purchase full-fare tickets in Economy Class
* Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
* Customers flying on AA codeshare flights not operated by American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection®
* Customers traveling on government or military fares
* Military passengers on active duty
* AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® members
* oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
* Customers flying on the same reservation as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold member or oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flier status or fare type (not applicable to group bookings)
* AAnytime® Economy Class AAdvantage award tickets, MileSAAver(SM) or AAnytime First and Business Class AAdvantage award tickets
* First and Business Class upgrades confirmed prior to check in
* AAirpass travel
Source: American Airlines Updated Checked Bag Policies
0 Comment(s).
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog