Airlines Increase Fees For Additional Baggage

Airlines Think Two Bags Are Unreasonable

March 19, 2008

As of May 5 of this year, most of the airlines will be tweaking their baggage policies to the tune of not so cheap. If you're a compulsive over-packer perhaps the new luggage costs will force you into speedy recovery, unless of course you have the extra hundreds to feed your habit. The new charges will surely serve their purpose in raising extra revenue for the airlines, but I also predict the overhead compartments will become even fuller than usual in the coming months.

28 Comments

maisiegirl 5 years

I travel light, I just don't want to bogged down with extra stuff. I think Americans are spoiled, but if you notice, anywhere else in the world, it is only Americans dragging big 24" pieces of luggage. My travel bag is the Patagonia Maximum Legal Carry-On, which I love. Shoes can be a problem, but more and more often, I find myself bringing only what is necessary. My bag converts into a backpack or you can sling it over your shoulder. I love it. If necessary for an extra pair of shoes, I will also add my Patagonia carry-on tote. The carry-on tote is small and has compartments for my passport, Ipod, Iphone, ID's, a book, my Portolano cashmere travel kit (i.e., blanket, eye mask, booties) and it can fit a pair of shoes! Although I am a handbag gal, when traveling out of the country, I will pack my trusty old classic Prada messenger bag (it can be folded up and packed in my MLC). This bag has traveled OFTEN and is the perfect bag. Again, it slings over the shoulder, can accommodate my tiny Canon Elph Digital, a travel book, etc. I usually only pack one pair of jeans, several layering tees, a nice cashmere sweater and either a dress or skirt, a beautiful scarf and those items got me through a 12-day stay on the east coast. Of course, I have no issues with sending items out to be laundered and have found that I use every item that I bring. If my trip is longer than 12 days, then I have either packed a pair of dressier black pants or an extra pair of jeans and will pack a light pair of yoga pants to put on for the overnight flight so that my jeans stay fresh. And for those of you who are bemoaning the restriction, I can proudly say that I traveled to Mexico and used both the MLC and tote and also had to include a sleeping bag and tent and still managed!!! I always try to assess what went unused on a trip and make note of it for the next time I travel. Additionally, packing for your trip a few days ahead is helpful, though I can easily pack in an hour, two hour maximum. I became a luggage minimalist when traveling to Europe. It made it easier navigate smaller hotels (some that are in old 14/15/16th century buildings) that have narrow hallways or staircases or smaller elevators and when using the trains. What a relief to not worry about hot to fit a bag into the overhead compartments!!!! I have a fold up bag, that I can place gift items in, but again, I've learned to be smart and have found beautiful gifts that don't require tons of space. An added note, for United customers who are at a Premier Level status, you are allowed to bring more luggage without incurring extra charges. Check the rules at the United Website.

inertia 5 years

I think these rules are ridiculous and would rather see extra charges based on the WEIGHT of luggage, since the airlines are doing this because of gas prices. I prefer to divide my stuff into multiple small bags because I'm a tiny woman and don't have the strength to manage a single big suitcase. If you put me and all my 3 bags on a scale together, it wouldn't be 140 lbs even when I bring "everything but the kitchen sink," which is less than a lot of people with NO luggage. My stuff can easily fit into a single suitcase, that's not the problem. But then I won't be able to carry that suitcase up a flight of stairs. I'll definitely be avoiding some of these airlines the next time I visit the US.

cvandoorn 5 years

Hmmm...I guess start using those companies that ship your suitcases for you? I bet it would come out cheaper.

DreaAST 5 years

this is rediculous. i normally fly southwest but i worry about when my travel agent schedules the air through the vacation package. for example cruises. this is not good!

bizzybee 5 years

I am a light traveler. After a few luggage mishaps, I just decided to focus on items that travel well - ie they coordinate together and are able to go from casual to dressy. Shoes are tough though. And in winter, sweaters and boots can quickly add bulk. I also pared down my toiletries. Many items you can get wherever you stay.

tdamji 5 years

while i do pack light, i often go on really long trips - like my last one was for an entire year all the way to New Zealand and then went all over Asia - i didn't have THAT much room for souvenirs etc. It was sad. I had to ship a lot home. I only had one very large backpack as checked and a smaller backpack for carry-on, even with a year's worth of stuff.

marcella 5 years

When I fly for business, I FedEx my stuff. I may have to start doing this for vacations as well.

Marci 5 years

I'm a light packer so this won't affect me much.

mondaymoos 5 years

I didn't used to HAVE to pay for an extra bag. And after the bad experiences I've had with shipping companies, I'd really prefer not to. Not that I have a choice anymore. :(

julieulie 5 years

Mondaymoos, ship your gear ahead of time. That's what I've always done, and it's always arrived safe and sound in time for me to go diving. I'm actually packing mine up tonight to send it off to Greece -- it's way less of a hassle than dealing with carrying it through the airport, and a lot cheaper than paying for an extra bag. I always ship my skis out ahead of time, as well.

mondaymoos 5 years

juileuile, i need two bags for my scuba diving gear... because I need clothes too. It's ridiculous that an extra bag is going to cost me that much. It's bad enough that you have to pay for snacks on the plane... especially when most airports food courts are shut down after 9. So tired of airlines making excuses for their damn greed.

juju 5 years

The problem is that they are going to raise prices for tickets anyway....so not only will we have to pay more for the ticket, but more for luggage as well.

GinaRose 5 years

I agree with Mandy and Martini. That is so frustrating! Ugghhh, as much as I love traveling, I absolutely loathe the airport and flying... Leaving Puerto Rico in January, I was in the security line and had a tube of hand lotion and hand sanitizer (travel sized -- both under 3 ounces) and chapstick or something. I didn't see any plastic baggies while waiting in line so I figured I could just leave them in my purse. So after my purse goes through the scanner, I'm told I have to undergo a search of my purse. I said okay and of course they pull out the 3 said items. "You need a plastic baggie for these." I knew that, but there were none available, I say. "You can purchase it in the front." Excuse me? I have to abide by the airport rules and you expect everyone to follow the 3-1-1 rules yet THERE ARE NO PLASTIC BAGGIES PROVIDED LIKE IN THE STATES?! I was confused by that. It wasn't worth going back to the front to purchase a baggie (which is free in the states?) and have to wait and go through security all over again so I just chucked it and went about my merry way. Maybe I'm just being an asshole, but shouldn't the baggies be provided if we have to abide by the 3-1-1 rules?? Whatever... I still hate flying :(

tiff58 5 years

julieulie, the only reason that I usually check 2 bags is that I often check the bag that I brought as my carry-on (and putting my laptop, magazines in my purse), because I hate carrying so much stuff through the airport. I realized when I was typing my earlier comment that 2 bags does really seem like a lot.

amers230 5 years

while these new restrictions do suck, when i flew to and from ireland in 2006 for a semester abroad i had overweight bags and, coming home, a third bag to be checked and out of all of my flights, only once did they actually actually charge me an extra fee, and even then they only did it for half of what it should have been (40 euro instead of 80.) i feel like if as long as you're friendly and tell the check in attendants that you're moving or travelling with a baby they're more lenient with the restrictions. key word: be friendly :)

MandyJoBo 5 years

I found out about this last year and it's one of the reasons I started UPS'ing my luggage to my destination. It doesn't cost much, gets their safely and is insured if not, is there waiting for me when I arrive, I can pack as much as I want, and I don't have to check bags in or wait for them to come out.

jasmint 5 years

I'm paranoid about checking any bags and like to travel light. I never take more than a carry-on and truthfully kind of like the challenge of planning out multiple outfits from just a few pieces and trying to fit it all into one bag. I usually never go anywhere for more than a week though, so I could see this being difficult if I were to travel for a longer period of time.

PinkTink707 5 years

looks like I will fly Delta or American when I plan my vacation ....that is ridiculous!

mandy_frost 5 years

I agree with both ALSW and j2e1n9. This is insane. I mean, you are barely allowed to bring anything on the plane with you. Things like shampoo and gifts (the number one reason I fly is to go to weddings or Christmas) can weigh a lot, and I can't even bring my shampoo on the plane. CRAZY!

j2e1n9 5 years

Are you kidding me. The overheads couldnt BE more overpacked. This is ridiculous. What are we supposed to do, FedEx our shit to our destination before we get there? Who can afford that? :IRK:

ALSW 5 years

Glad I usually fly Southwest. My biggest problem with packing is shoes - one pair of boots in there and wham! Suitcase stuffed.

julieulie 5 years

It is totally beyond me why a normal traveler (keyword normal: excluding people moving, etc., although whenever I've moved I brought one bag and shipped the rest) would ever need to bring more than one checked bag. You can still bring a fairly decent sized carry on, as well. I went to London for 2 weeks with only a carry on, and when I studied abroad in Spain in high school for an entire term, I only checked one bag. People need to learn how to pack -- you do not need to bring your entire closet with you for a 2 week trip.

princessjaslew 5 years

that is so unfair. i'm moving cross-country in july and i'm going to need all the baggage allowance I can get!

tiff58 5 years

I almost always check two bags! Good thing I usually fly Northwest, Southwest, Delta, or Continental anyways.

mangopassion 5 years

First they take away the food and now they are charging us for more than one bag? Geeze. My husband and I are flying to Florida (from Michigan) in the middle of May for a triathlon he is doing and I know we are going to have more that one bag each with all the gear he needs to bring along. Good thing we are flying Northwest!

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28 Comments