Giorgos
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| (Admin) |
| Thu May 01 2008 03:54 PM |
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Escalating fuel costs are having a negative impact on airlines
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Escalating fuel costs are having a negative impact on airlines, and in response, several major airlines have announced additional fees and restrictions on checked baggage.
Beginning in May and with some exceptions, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways will assess a $25 charge when passengers check a second bag on domestic flights. For many airlines, the charge will also apply to flights to and from destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and/or Canada. This fee applies to each leg of travel, so customers will pay $50 on a second checked bag for roundtrip flights.
Continental's new charge affects customers who purchased nonrefundable economy tickets on or after April 5, 2008, for flights departing on or after May 5, 2008 and applies to all domestic flights, plus travel to Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coach customers booked in the "Y class" of service, OnePass Elite customers, SkyTeam Elite customers, Elite-for-a-Day customers, on-duty active military personnel, first class and BusinessFirst customers are exempt from this charge, and will be allowed to check a second bag for free.
Delta will charge $25 for a second checked bag for passengers traveling on or after May 1st on domestic flights, including travel within the United States and to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. First class and Business Elite passengers will be allowed to check up to three bags at no additional charge on Delta and Delta Connection-operated flights only.
Northwest's new policy is applicable to nonrefundable, domestic economy tickets purchased on or after March 29, 2008, for travel on or after May 5, 2008. Northwest defines domestic travel as within the U.S. and to or from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Northwest Airlines' Silver, Gold and Platinum WorldPerks Elite customers, SkyTeam Elite customers and passengers booked in Full Fare classes may still check two bags free of charge, and first class passengers may check up to three bags without charge.
United Airlines will charge $50 round-trip ($25 per leg) for checking a second piece of luggage on tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for flights departing on or after May 5, 2008 and traveling within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. The following types of passengers are exempt from this fee and may check up to two bags at no cost: first class, business class, First Award, Business Award, Mileage Plus Premier, Mileage Plus Premier Associate, Star Alliance Silver Members, Mileage Plus Global Services, Mileage Plus 1K, Mileage Plus Premier Executive, Star Alliance Gold Members and military personnel with orders.
Also on May 5, US Airways will begin charging those who booked on or after February 26 a $50 round-trip fee ($25 per leg) for checking a second piece of luggage. US Airways will apply this fee for domestic and some international travel. Dividend Miles Preferred members, passengers traveling to and from Europe or Asia, first class and Envoy passengers, Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members, active military personnel in uniform with ID, unaccompanied minors and passengers checking personal assistance devices (such as a wheelchair) are exempt from these charges.
In most cases, travelers whose itineraries include a city outside of the US (other than in those destinations mentioned above), as either the origin or destination, will not be subject to the second-bag fee. For example, someone flying on Continental from Austin to Houston and connecting to London would not have to pay to check a second bag.
For all airlines, baggage is subject to size and weight restrictions as well. Generally, bags weighing more than 50 lbs. on domestic flights are subject to additional fees. Often, weight limits for international flights are lower than those for domestic flights. If your travel plans include flights between countries overseas, be sure to check the airlines' web sites to confirm which restrictions are applicable to your flights, before you leave home.
Other major airlines, including Southwest and American, have not yet announced additional fees for second checked bags, but may follow suit.