United Airlines Doubling Fee for Second Checked Bag

Travelers beware! The airlines are continuing their quest to seek out additional revenue streams to help offset the soaring fuel costs.  Just when passenger thought the limit had been reached as far as surcharges and lack of amenities, United Airlines has come up with a new and quite bold new money maker.   They are raising the fee for checking a second bag from $25.00 to a whopping $50.00.   Any reservation booked on or after September 16th for flights taking off November 10th or later will be subject to this new fee. United is predicting on 1 out of every 7 passengers will check that second bag and that the new charges will bring in an additional $700 million dollars in revenue next year.  

The question to our readers is this:  Will YOU pay an extra $50, and potentially $100 for a round trip ticket to have that extra bag?  Will you just go with our or would you consider shipping your items ahead of time using USP or the U.S. Postal Service?   Let us know what YOU think by leaving us your comments.

What say you?

 

Technorati Tags: United Airlines, second bag fee, 2nd bag fee, check baggage fees, airline surcharges, airline fees

 

American Airlines Launches In-Flight Internet Service

American Airlines, the nation’s largest air carrier launched their in-flight broadband service yesterday on long-distance domestic flights.  This makes American the first airline to offer complete in-flight broadband.  Flights from New York to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami.  Passengers on these Boeing 767-200 aircrafts will have the option of paying $12.95 for internet access on these non-stop flights.

The airlines have been in a race to expand their in-flight internet services as a means to add an additional stream of revenue to combat sky-rocketing fuel costs.  Delta, US Airways and Virgin America are also planning on testing on board internet.  JetBlue offers free Wi-Fi service on one aircraft through its LiveTV subsidiary, but it is  limited to e-mail without attachments, instant messaging and some services from Amazon.com.   Continental Airlines Inc. also plans to use LiveTV with similar restrictions.

So are the days of being blissfully “disconnected” while on a plane behind us?  More than likely…. yes.  Business travelers yearn for more productivity while traveling.  Kids and teens are bored just reading books and watching movies.  How about the rest of us?  How will the airlines handle someone browsing inappropriate content?  Will companies be risking confidentiality by having employees accessing sensitive information online while in flight?   Only time will tell.  In the meantime, I’m going back to reading my book.

Technorati Tags: inflight internet, internet on airplanes, broadband on airplanes, Wi-Fi on airlpanes

 

Pack Your Pillow and Blanket if You Fly Jet Blue!

Jet Blue announced this past week that they are doing away with complimentary pillows and blankets on their flights and will begin selling $7 sets, which passengers can keep and reuse.  The set includes a 10-by-12 inch pillow, a fleece blanket and a $5 coupon for Bed Bath and Beyond. 

The airline is trying to put an environmental spin on the move by touting that the kits are eco-friendly.  “Replacing our old, recycled pillows and blankets with this state-of-the-art, high-quality take-home kit is an eco-conscious, health-conscious and customer-conscious decision,” the general manager for product development, Brett Muney, said.  The decision was probably more a case of the “bottom line” rather than “save the earth”.  Jet fuel prices are up over 70% from a year ago and the airlines are looking for alternative ways to produce revenue.

Being more than a little germ-phobic, this frequent traveler has always stayed away from the airline provided sleepy-time solutions.  In a pinch, I would break down and buy the $7 pillow set, but I would much prefer to bring my own comfy fleece pillow and blanket.  Click here to read our article reviewing travel pillows and accessories.

Technorati Tags: Jet Blue, travel pillows, travel blankets, airline charges

Airlines Now Selling Ads on Boarding Passes

Beginning this week, most major U.S. airlines will begin showing advertisements on the boarding passes that passengers print out from home.  Yet another method to that the bleeding airline industry is using to offset fuel cost.  Well…. At least it’s creative… I’ll give them that.  Most importantly,  it’s a measure that is not costing ME the passenger, more money.

Delta will begin implementing the ads on Tuesday for flights to Las Vegas.  Northwest, United, US Airways and Continental have signed on as well.  Customers will be able to choose to print out their boarding pass without the advertisements and all boarding passes with OR without ads will print out to no more than 1 page in length.  Sojern, Inc., the company selling the ads, is splitting the revenue with the airlines.  Although they are being tight-lipped about the amount of revenue that is forecasted to be earned, Northwest says that 40% of their passengers check-in online.  A number that adds up to over 30 million customers a year.

Truthfully, I long for the “good old days” of air travel.   If there ever was a “good old days”.  However, I understand that these are difficult times and I am willing to “take one for the team” and print out that boarding pass WITH the ads.  My hope is that in time,  the airlines will regain some ground and be on a more sound financial course.   Do you think they’ll go back to letting us check in that first bag for free?  

Probably not.

Technorati Tags: airline fees, airline revenue, airline industry

 

First Checked Bag Fee: The Airlines Will LOSE In The End

Earlier this month, three major U.S. Airlines (US Airways, Delta & United) all implemented programs that would charge passengers a $15 fee for checking ANY baggage.  This fee would add $100’s of millions to the ailing airlines’ bottom line every year…. But will it really?  Let’s investigate a bit.

A family of four traveling round trip would incur an extra $120 in baggage fees if they check their luggage.  This family is also feeling the pinch and decides to carry on those same bags (given they are the appropriate size).  How much longer is it going to take those 4 people to get on the plane?  Parents will have to help children with their luggage, which means they aren’t getting their kids situated in their seats.  Multiply this by almost every passenger and you can begin to see the problem.  Boarding will take MUCH longer.  Overhead space will fill almost immediatley.   Flight attendants will have to work their way around the cabin during the boarding process to take bags that will not fit and have them checked.  Passengers will get cranky and hostile.   All the while the plane is not taking off.   Planes that aren’t in the air aren’t making money and delays COST the airlines even more.

Getting off of the plane will be a similar disaster.  You plane arrives late.  You have a connection to make and now almost every single passenger has to dislodge their overstuffed suitcase out of the overhead compartment.  It seems that Delta, American and US Airways are not seeing the forest through the trees.  Continental has decided to “wait it out” and see if passengers will choose a flight on an airline that does NOT charge this fee versus one who does. 

Flight Attendants know this will be a fiasco, passengers are dreading it too.  How long before the airlines figure it out?

What do you think?

Technorati Tags: airline fees, checked bag fee, checked luggage charge

3 Major U.S. Airlines Charging to Check a Single Bag!

And then there were three….

Earlier in the week American airlines announced that in addition to a $20 fuel surcharge, they will begin to charge passengers $15 when checking a single bag. Two other airlines, United and US Airways followed suit. Most airlines are already charging a $25 fee for a second checked bag. So far Southwest is the only airline to allow two checked bags for free.

US Airways doesn’t stop there. They have already discontinued free snacks such as pretzels and if you are lucky enough to be on a US Airways flight after July 9th, be prepared to pay $2 for that juice, water or soda. Alcoholic beverages, formerly $5 will now be $7. Want a window, aisle or exit row seat? It’s going to cost you. Spirit Airlines as well as several others, have begun charging extra for seat reservations and “premium seats”

Flying commercial airlines has become nothing more than riding a Greyhound bus with wings….. Sorry, no offense to Greyhound.

What are your thoughts?

Technorati Tags: airlines charges, airline surcharges, airline fees, checked baggage fees

Attack of The Killer Fees!

With the rising cost of fuel, the airlines are trying to keep themselves afloat without raising airfares across the board. That can make travel difficult if you’re in the dark about whether or not your airline of choice is charging for services that most travelers take for granted. With some research and preplanning, you should be able to limit your “fee surprises”. Here are some of the fees you may be charged before you even get to the airport:

 

Booking fees

Potential cost: $5 to $25.

Some airlines are instituting a booking charge of $10 to $25 if you want to make a reservation any way but through the airline’s Web site. If you call the airline, most charge you at least $15 per ticket for phone reservations. You can also expect to pay $5 to $15 per ticket on sites such as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity for securing your reservation. The best way to avoid these fees is to use travel comparison and booking sites to shop around, but make your arrangements through an airline’s Web site. It’s the best way to get a fee-free booking.

 

Pick-your-seat fees

Potential cost: $15 to $299.

When flying coach, everyone wants extra legroom. A subscription to United Airlines’ Economy Plus charges $299 annually for a subscription, which gets you and a traveling companion seats with 5 inches of extra legroom whenever available. On Northwest, booking an exit-row seat costs $15 extra, while American charges consumers who didn’t book directly through the airline a $15 fee to change their seats. Make sure to look for these hidden fees when picking your seat.

 

Fuel fees

Potential cost: $14 to $70.

Airlines are passing along their increased fuel costs to their customers. British Airways has increased its fuel surcharges by $6, to $70 for flights longer than nine hours, and $66 for shorter flights. Air France followed suit, announcing it would double its fuel surcharge (to $13.53 per segment) until the price of oil dropped below $65 per barrel for 30 consecutive days. The best way to compare prices for your international flight is on the airline’s U.S. site.  Airlines are required, per U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, to include any fuel surcharges in the base price. You won’t be able to avoid the fee, but you will be able to judge the fares on a level playing field.

 

 

Fees for redeeming freebies (frequent flier miles included)

Potential cost: $15 to $300.

If you plan to cash in those “free” tickets you earned, you should be prepared to pay for the privilege. Northwest Airlines charges $50 for last-minute reward ticket redemptions, while American charges a $150 to $300 surcharge when consumers use miles to upgrade a coach ticket they purchased for less than the full fare. In addition, reward travel can rarely be booked online, and vouchers never can. You are forced to use the phone and call in to an agent for help,” he says. Then you’re right back to Fee No. 1: a $15 to $25 charge from most airlines for booking over the phone. To help limit these fees, make sure to read the fee fine print before you book reward travel to make sure you know up front what you will be expected to pay. You should compare the cost of redeeming the voucher with what the same flight would cost if you bought it outright.

 

Yes, it DOES seem like every time we book travel, whether it’s airfare, hotel or rental cars, we are bombarded with hidden fees, taxes and surcharges.  Our only defense is to do your homework, ask questions and read the fine print before you hand over the credit card.

 

Stay tuned for our next installment of “Attack of the Killer Fees” and learn about the fees charges you can expect once at the airport or in the air.  Sign up for our newsletter at www.smartseniortravel.com to receive this informative and potentially money saving article.

 

Technorati Tags: airline fees, booking fees, travel surcharges, travel fees, fuel surcharges