Check a Second Suitcase, Pay $25
If you plan to travel after May 5, it's time to scrutinize your packing list. Continental Airlines is the latest U.S. carrier to announce that it will charge passengers $25 to check a second bag on domestic flights ticketed after April 5, 2008, and departing on or after May 5. OnePass Elite, SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members will not have to pay the new fee, nor will active duty military members on official orders or holders of the Presidential Plus credit card. The fee does not apply to strollers, car seats or wheelchairs.
Continental says that the new baggage fees are a result of rising fuel costs.
US Airways, United Airlines and Northwest Airlines recently announced similar policy changes. It's probably safe to assume that the remaining U.S. "legacy" carriers (non-discount airlines) will follow suit in the very near future.
What do you think about this new checked baggage fee? Vote in our poll at right to share your opinion.
Nancy, ouch! This puts to rest my habit of tucking a duffel bag into my suitcase so I can expand to two bags when I return home with souvenirs!
And if you’ve ever traveled with teenagers, try getting them to do it all in one bag. It’s just not happening. And in my case, it’s just not happening to the tune of $50 for two teenage daughters.
I understand that rising fuel costs and plane overcrowding may require airlines to find ways to create more revenue that don’t include jacking up ticket prices to unaffordable levels. But with the loss of even a basic bag of nuts or pretzels on a three-hour flight (now it’s drinks only, and of course MEALS are a distant memory) and nearly every seat occupied, it’s getting very unpleasant to fly. Not to mention flight attendants who make sexist comments.
Wow, Linda, what an experience! I’m glad you spoke up.
Don’t forget…it’s $25 each way. I’m no mathematician, but I’d love to know how much extra fuel each 50-pound suitcase “uses” on a cross-country flight, and how much that costs.
Of course, Ryanair has been charging for, well, everything, for a long time. I’ve flown on Ryanair, and it was a decent airline, but my flights were short and I didn’t get hungry en route.
Thanks for this warning. My husband-to-be Antonio and I are always trying to cut back on what we pack because we have to travel back and forth between Italy and the United States so much. People are always asking us to bring gifts for this relative and that friend. We’re learning to say no, and now we’ll have even more motivation than before.
So far, Francesca, international flights on U.S. carriers haven’t been affected, but I think it is only a matter of time. European airlines, especially budget carriers, have been restricting baggage allowances for years. Europeans have figured out how to get by with fewer items and still stay fashionable.
Still, it’s best to get family and friends used to the idea that you can’t always be their delivery service. (When we lived in Italy, we were asked by lots of friends to bring back all kinds of things from the U.S., like Starbucks coffee…that weight adds up.)
Glad you stopped by!