Comments on: Downgrades: Spirit Airlines to charge for ALL luggage, coffee, and soda http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:21:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Back on the beat, just in time for more travel downgrades! | Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-69743 Back on the beat, just in time for more travel downgrades! | Upgrade: Travel Better Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:22:34 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-69743 [...] the AA brand (making them seem even more like the much maligned Spirit Airlines, which has been charging for all luggage domestically for a while now), and it has negative ramifications for anyone getting on an American [...] [...] the AA brand (making them seem even more like the much maligned Spirit Airlines, which has been charging for all luggage domestically for a while now), and it has negative ramifications for anyone getting on an American [...]

]]> By: consumeradvocate http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-24822 consumeradvocate Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:26:05 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-24822 Airline traveler BEWARE! Check your own baggage weight carefully before checking in at the airline.Air Tran baggage scales were FIVE POUNDS off recently. My bag weighed 34-35 pounds on my home scale. When I got to the baggage check-in counter, I noted that my bag was now 40 pounds! Hmmm...gained weight on the Metro ride over to the airport?!? I didn't think anything of it until I did some research after a maintenance delay of my flight caused me to miss my connecting flight. I found many complaints about overweight baggage fees at Air Tran in particular!How could such a thing be proven? BINGO! My bag was delayed, too, and had to be sent to me via Fed. Ex. two days later. Looked on the Fed. Ex. tag attached to my bag when it arrived. There it was---WEIGHT: 35 lbs. PROOF that my bag had not gained any weight after all---there was a problem with the Air Tran baggage scale! Let's see...a charge of $39 is possible if your bag is over the 50 pound weight limit and $79 if the bag is over 70 pounds. Fortunately, I did check out the fine print on the Air Tran web site before I packed up for my trip. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't even close to the limit. BUT, are others so inclined? OR, do most people get socked by surprise by this additionally imposed fee? I suspect that the latter is the case. I ponder---how much money would Air Tran be expected to take in with those miscalibrated scales???? No fuzzy math here---they could rake in quite a bit of pocket change this way! Now...the real question is does Air Tran do this knowingly? Isn't this FRAUD, if so? Tell me that they allow the scales to be miscalibrated like that for days on end...and I'll tell you that I think this is fraudulent! Let your experiences be known! Airline traveler BEWARE! Check your own baggage weight carefully before checking in at the airline.Air Tran baggage scales were FIVE POUNDS off recently. My bag weighed 34-35 pounds on my home scale. When I got to the baggage check-in counter, I noted that my bag was now 40 pounds! Hmmm…gained weight on the Metro ride over to the airport?!?

I didn’t think anything of it until I did some research after a maintenance delay of my flight caused me to miss my connecting flight. I found many complaints about overweight baggage fees at Air Tran in particular!How could such a thing be proven? BINGO! My bag was delayed, too, and had to be sent to me via Fed. Ex. two days later. Looked on the Fed. Ex. tag attached to my bag when it arrived. There it was—WEIGHT: 35 lbs. PROOF that my bag had not gained any weight after all—there was a problem with the Air Tran baggage scale!

Let’s see…a charge of $39 is possible if your bag is over the 50 pound weight limit and $79 if the bag is over 70 pounds. Fortunately, I did check out the fine print on the Air Tran web site before I packed up for my trip. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t even close to the limit. BUT, are others so inclined? OR, do most people get socked by surprise by this additionally imposed fee?

I suspect that the latter is the case. I ponder—how much money would Air Tran be expected to take in with those miscalibrated scales???? No fuzzy math here—they could rake in quite a bit of pocket change this way!

Now…the real question is does Air Tran do this knowingly? Isn’t this FRAUD, if so? Tell me that they allow the scales to be miscalibrated like that for days on end…and I’ll tell you that I think this is fraudulent!

Let your experiences be known!

]]> By: Money talks, B.S. flies » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-22502 Money talks, B.S. flies » Upgrade: Travel Better Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:46:36 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-22502 [...] keeps it classy with their M.I.L.F. sale - Spirit Airlines’ CEO flips his customers the bird - Downgrades: Spirit Airlines to charge for ALL luggage, coffee, and soda - This is not the Spirit Airlines website and I can’t cancel your club membership. So why are [...] [...] keeps it classy with their M.I.L.F. sale – Spirit Airlines’ CEO flips his customers the bird – Downgrades: Spirit Airlines to charge for ALL luggage, coffee, and soda – This is not the Spirit Airlines website and I can’t cancel your club membership. So why are [...]

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-22232 Mark Ashley Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:33:14 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-22232 Tony, beware of bringing an extra bag and just crossing your fingers. Hope is not a plan. You very likely will leave that bag behind. Limiting checked bags to one per person, firm, is a widespread practice for flights to Latin America, though generally just seasonally. See a related post here: http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/01/airlines-re-imposing-strict-baggage-limits-to-latin-america-and-caribbean/ Good luck. Tony, beware of bringing an extra bag and just crossing your fingers. Hope is not a plan. You very likely will leave that bag behind. Limiting checked bags to one per person, firm, is a widespread practice for flights to Latin America, though generally just seasonally. See a related post here:
http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/01/airlines-re-imposing-strict-baggage-limits-to-latin-america-and-caribbean/

Good luck.

]]> By: Tony http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-22231 Tony Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:57:30 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-22231 I booked a trip to Peru for 2 in April and the trip is in July... Since then, I have paid $60 for baggage and $40 for Seat fees. And come to find out I may only be able to bring 1 checked bag per person (Spirit Airlines Destinations with Baggage Limitations). This is pretty upsetting because I'll be there for 10 days and it's difficult to pack 10 days into 1 suitcase and keep it under 50 pounds. Also the carry on might help but I will still have to leave luxuries at home. I may end up packing an additional suitcase and hope that they will allow it to go on keeping my fingers crossed that it won't cost an arm and a leg. Anyone have the same experience? I booked a trip to Peru for 2 in April and the trip is in July… Since then, I have paid $60 for baggage and $40 for Seat fees. And come to find out I may only be able to bring 1 checked bag per person (Spirit Airlines Destinations with Baggage Limitations). This is pretty upsetting because I’ll be there for 10 days and it’s difficult to pack 10 days into 1 suitcase and keep it under 50 pounds. Also the carry on might help but I will still have to leave luxuries at home. I may end up packing an additional suitcase and hope that they will allow it to go on keeping my fingers crossed that it won’t cost an arm and a leg. Anyone have the same experience?

]]> By: Spirit Airlines keeps it classy with their M.I.L.F. sale » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-18354 Spirit Airlines keeps it classy with their M.I.L.F. sale » Upgrade: Travel Better Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:27:55 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-18354 [...] - Spirit Airlines to Democrats: Drop Dead - Downgrades: Spirit Airlines to charge for ALL luggage, coffee, and soda - Is Spirit Airlines’ new club worth joining? - Spirit Airlines’ CEO flips his customers the [...] [...] – Spirit Airlines to Democrats: Drop Dead – Downgrades: Spirit Airlines to charge for ALL luggage, coffee, and soda – Is Spirit Airlines’ new club worth joining? – Spirit Airlines’ CEO flips his customers the [...]

]]> By: Airlines re-imposing strict baggage limits to Latin America and Caribbean » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-18316 Airlines re-imposing strict baggage limits to Latin America and Caribbean » Upgrade: Travel Better Sun, 02 Dec 2007 03:38:47 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-18316 [...] in point: A comment left on a March 2007 post today in the Upgrade: Travel Better archives. Neal writes: My seventy year old Father in-law is [...] [...] in point: A comment left on a March 2007 post today in the Upgrade: Travel Better archives. Neal writes: My seventy year old Father in-law is [...]

]]> By: Neal http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-18313 Neal Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:19:02 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-18313 My seventy year old Father in-law is heading back to Jamaica today and was told that one of his bags was overweight. Not a problem right? He will simply pay the extra charge and continue on his way. WRONG!!! Unbeknownst to the consumer, beginning TODAY, December 1st (try to find this on their website luggage section), Spirit Airlines has suspended carrying ANY overweight luggage (51 lbs +) during the Holiday season. So, this wheelchair ridden man is in the process of emptying his suitcase to rid the 18 pounds he is overweight AND waiting for my sister in-law to retrieve the items (they will not store or hold the items until someone can come to the airport). Whilst on the phone moments ago with the “Customer Service Representative” at the check-in counter, I said “Where is this written?” to which she replied, “Our policy is subject to change at anytime”. Spirit Airlines gets WORSE and WORSE by the moment!!! My seventy year old Father in-law is heading back to Jamaica today and was told that one of his bags was overweight. Not a problem right? He will simply pay the extra charge and continue on his way.
WRONG!!!
Unbeknownst to the consumer, beginning TODAY, December 1st (try to find this on their website luggage section), Spirit Airlines has suspended carrying ANY overweight luggage (51 lbs +) during the Holiday season.
So, this wheelchair ridden man is in the process of emptying his suitcase to rid the 18 pounds he is overweight AND waiting for my sister in-law to retrieve the items (they will not store or hold the items until someone can come to the airport). Whilst on the phone moments ago with the “Customer Service Representative” at the check-in counter, I said “Where is this written?” to which she replied, “Our policy is subject to change at anytime”.
Spirit Airlines gets WORSE and WORSE by the moment!!!

]]> By: Spirit Airlines’ CEO flips his customers the bird » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-16014 Spirit Airlines’ CEO flips his customers the bird » Upgrade: Travel Better Thu, 23 Aug 2007 02:51:19 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-16014 [...] list, Spirit would have to be take the top slot. No contest. Most of the complaints surround their baggage fees or automatic opt-in to travel insurance or the $9 club. One airline employee wrote in with a long [...] [...] list, Spirit would have to be take the top slot. No contest. Most of the complaints surround their baggage fees or automatic opt-in to travel insurance or the $9 club. One airline employee wrote in with a long [...]

]]> By: Joe http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-15900 Joe Sun, 12 Aug 2007 11:45:11 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/03/06/downgrades-spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-all-luggage-coffee-and-soda/#comment-15900 The latest slap in the face from Spirit is their policy of charging, at some airports to use curbside check in. There is a 2-dollar per bag fee at Orlando to use curbside service. This is addition to the 10-dollar each way charge per bag (5-dollars each way if you buy a baggage credit online). I always use curbside check in when I can and hand the person handling my bags a tip. The sign at Orlando International clearly states that "gratuity is not included" in the two dollar per bag ding that hit you with. I am now finding cheaper airfare to many areas on Southwest and they don't charge for bags. Unless it is a huge price differential, I will no longer fly Spirit with their hidden fees. The two bucks a bag hit at Orlando is the final straw. The latest slap in the face from Spirit is their policy of charging, at some airports to use curbside check in.

There is a 2-dollar per bag fee at Orlando to use curbside service. This is addition to the 10-dollar each way charge per bag (5-dollars each way if you buy a baggage credit online).

I always use curbside check in when I can and hand the person handling my bags a tip.

The sign at Orlando International clearly states that “gratuity is not included” in the two dollar per bag ding that hit you with.

I am now finding cheaper airfare to many areas on Southwest and they don’t charge for bags.

Unless it is a huge price differential, I will no longer fly Spirit with their hidden fees.

The two bucks a bag hit at Orlando is the final straw.

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