Luggage charges are a revenue stream for air carriers and are imposed by all domestic carriers for either 1st, 2nd, oversize, overweight and/or contents such as dry ice, antlers, bicycles and more. For a variety of reasons, it comes down to weight. The expense incurred by flying 1 lb 1 mile, plus volume and convenience.
It is a valuable tool to maintain competition and provide attractive base fares for the travelling public, while establishing strong ancillary revenues. By eliminating add-on's and frills that were once common prior to escalation of fuel and expenses, un-bundling fares, have empowered passengers to choose which service and amenities they wish to enjoy.
Myself and My business partner Doug are both flying to Duluth, MN. We both paid $380 for our tickets and are on the same itinerary. I travel light and can easily accommodate my needs in a carry-on bag, Doug likes to check his bag and not have to carry it all over the place. I don't really have a seat preference. Doug likes to sit as close to the front of the plane as possible and he likes a cocktail or two. We both check-in online and off we go. I paid zero in additional charges and selected my seat for free at the time of check-in. Doug paid $25 for his baggage, $14 for his seat assignment and $12 for his cocktails. Simply, we are different in our needs and travels, why should we pay the same.
HOW CAN I AVOID PAYING A BAGGAGE CHARGE
1. The easy answer is limit your travel to one carry-on bag which complies with the size and weight restriction of your respective air carrier. Oversize carry-on bags are subject to gate check and on some carriers the charge is substantially higher.
2. Research your choice of carrier. Each carrier has different charges standards and regulations. You may find that travel on Frontier that flies bicycles for free meets your needs better that Delta or American.
3. If you have not joined a frequent flier program, do so right away. Research your personal and professional travel habits and expectations. Consider what benefits you would enjoy most and join. Elite level members in air carrier rewards programs enjoy free luggage and other attractive benefits.
4. Consider acquiring an airline based credit card, such as the Delta Airlines American Express Card (not a promotional mention). A benefit of membership is one free piece of luggage plus one for your companions travelling on an identical itinerary.
5. Explore carrier air fares such as Frontier and many International carriers that will offer free or discounted luggage based on the fare purchased. Many other amenities such as seating, food & beverage, cancellation insurance may be offered as well. In addition, several carriers offer an on-line discount to check baggage.
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