Summer Travel: Checked Baggage Fees
June 27th, 2008
As if packing bags for yourself and the kids, trying to get to get to the airport on time, and clearing security without your kids throwing a fit wasn’t enough to worry about. Now the airlines are charging fees for checked baggage! What? Families can’t be worrying about this! We don’t choose to travel with a ton of stuff…diapers, bottles, multiple change of clothes, favorite blankets and toys to prevent meltdowns, snacks and activities to keep the kids busy. No no no…we don’t want to carry that much crap but we have to. How else will we ensure neighboring passengers traveling on the same plane at least a semi enjoyable flight?
It’s crazy but all of the major carriers are charging for the 2nd piece of checked baggage and now they are starting to charge for the 1st piece of checked baggage too!
As of June 20, the fees for each airline are as follows:
*Please keep in mind that the information below is subject to change without notice. For the most current policies please call the carrier directly or check the airline website.
American:
- 1st bag - $15.00 each way (effective 6/15/08)
- 2nd bag - $25.00 each way (effective 5/12/08)
Continental:
- 1st bag - N/A
- 2nd bag - $25.00 each way (effective 5/5/08)
Delta:
- 1st bag - N/A
- 2nd bag - $25.00 each way (effective 5/1/08)
Northwest:
- 1st bag - N/A
- 2nd bag - $25.00 each way (effective 5/5/08)
United:
- 1st bag - $15.00 each way (effective 6/13/08)
- 2nd bag - $25.00 each way (effective 5/508)
9 Responses to “Summer Travel: Checked Baggage Fees”
Jojo June 27th, 2008 at 2:09 am #
these fees are absolutely ludicrous!!! but I understand why, GAS! My brother’s friend is a trucker, and he’s going to quit because gas vs. profit is so minimal it’s not even worth it anymore..more luggage means more using more gas, so more fees…money sucking cycle
The Happy Housewife June 27th, 2008 at 12:53 pm #
Thanks for sharing this, my sil just asked me about the fees since they are flying to see us next week.
Toni
Asianmommy June 27th, 2008 at 3:54 pm #
Man, how annoying! It’s bad enough we have to lug all this stuff around, now we’re being penalized for it, too!
Kelsey June 27th, 2008 at 4:55 pm #
What? Who charges for the first piece of luggage! I hate airlines hate them
Amy @ The Q Family June 27th, 2008 at 8:02 pm #
That’s the reason we endured 10 hours trip driving down to FL. After all the fee I think we probably need to take a 2nd mortgage on our house just to fly for a vacation.
My Asian Heritage June 29th, 2008 at 6:51 pm #
OK, not sure what happened….but we flew American last weekend to CA and weren’t charged. Or maybe they tacked it onto our credit card? Or maybe they just saw the look of exhaustion on our faces and felt bad for us? Yea right….
BusyMamas June 30th, 2008 at 1:18 am #
My Asian Heritage - if you purchased your ticket before 6/15 you should not have been charged.
BusyMamas June 30th, 2008 at 1:41 am #
Amy - You are so lucky you can get in the car and drive for a vacation. Here in Hawaii, the only way off the rock is to fly. You either pay the prices to fly or stay home…my family is staying home this year.
-Karen
LifeatTheCircus July 1st, 2008 at 12:42 pm #
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! This is awful! They have just made traveling with 3 that much LESS fun and convenient. On our trip to CA last fall we had I believe 6 checked bags.
So not cool!!