Downgraded: Checked bags on international American Airlines flights
British Airways was the first to do this, but American Airlines wasn’t far behind: Many AA economy-class ticket-holders will no longer have an allowance of two checked bags on international flights. For those who buy tickets to Belgium, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Spain, or Switzerland on or after September 14, 2009, the first bag remains free (or, perhaps more accurately, included in the cost of the ticket). However, the second bag, which used to be included free, will now cost $50, up to 50 lbs. A list of exceptions applies, including full-fare tickets, elite AAdvantage and oneworld members, military personnel and dependents, and, interestingly, those traveling on codeshare-issued tickets.
Upgraded: Biofuel at airports
It’s not quite biofuel in the jets, but it’s a great start: Eight airlines will start using biofuels to power their ground equipment at LAX.
Downgraded: All-you-can-fly fares
JetBlue, which rolled out a $599 all-you-can-fly ticket two weeks ago, ended sales early. “While supplies last” meant they didn’t last.
Downgraded: United Breaks Guitars, episode 2
The original “United Breaks Guitars” video was a delight, a catchy tune that lambasted the airline for treating a customer poorly. The sequel, while cute, lacks the magic. It does, however, feature tubas.
Upgraded, I guess: Squeezing a couple bucks out of Hotwire
Hotwire has settled a class action lawsuit that charged that the company didn’t properly notify consumers of the fees and taxes charged for hotel reservations. If you made a hotel reservation on Hotwire between January 10, 2001 and May 2, 2005, you are likely entitled to either cash refunds or Hotwire credits. The Hotwire credit is significantly more lucrative, if you’re a Hotwire user anyway. See here for details, if you didn’t get an e-mail from the plaintiff’s attorneys (if you’re wondering, they got customer e-mail addresses from Hotwire…)
Downgraded, as if it was possible: Ryanair
Just when you think the airline couldn’t go any lower, Ryanair charges a fee to collect your lost-and-found. Even if you’re a nine-year old girl who lost her purse. It’s comical really: Ryanair will take candy from a baby, literally.
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August 24th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Twitter Comment
#Travel Downgraded: Checked bags on international American Airlines flights British Air.. [link to post]
http://ow.ly/iY3O
– Posted using Chat Catcher
August 24th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Twitter Comment
via @upgradetravel, Ryanair: “Yes, we have your 8-year-old’s lost purse. That’ll be 10 euros, please.” [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
August 24th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Twitter Comment
@upgradetravel Ur all out war on Ryanair
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August 25th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Mark, I just flew to London from NYC on BA last month and checked in two bags.. I didn’t pay to check in my second bag. I am due to go back to London at the end of September and have just checked the baggage section of BA which doesn’t mention this second checked bag fee. This is shameful on the part of AA .. I am waiting to see to how long before they start charging for food on International flights.. and how soon all the other airlines start to follow this policy..
August 25th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Ok Mark I looked again .. and its there on the BA website .. I tend to travel to London frequently and love to bring back British treats .. thanks to BA I will not be spending money at Tesco or Sainsbury’s anymore as I dont fancy paying $60 for additional bag.. think I will now switch to Virgin.. which has also changed its policy … but continues to offer 2 ‘free’ bags for check in
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us/passengerinformation/baggage/newpolicy.jsp
September 11th, 2009 at 2:19 am
How come nobody’s mentioning NWA? I’m flying MSP – LHR (St. Paul to London) tomorrow and will be permitted only one free bag, with a weight limit of 50 lbs. Checking a second bag will be $50. Here’s the real gotcha, though – if you go over 50 lbs? Say, to 55? The fee is – wait for it – ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS.
I had no idea this airline was so full of ‘gotchas’, or I’d have booked elsewhere. Once I realized, of course, I was stuck with the itinerary, unless I wanted to pay out the yin-yang to change it.
You really gotta wonder how airlines expect to keep customers with this kind of behavior going on. If Southwest flew to Europe I’d dump the legacies in a hot second. I really think DL and NW are the worst on this kind of nickel-and-diming – the change fee on an international award ticket on DL is $250, for a ticket you’ve already worked to earn the miles to get. However, none of them are really outstanding on this issue.
(Before other commenters are tempted to dump on Southwest, consider this: No bag check fee; no change fee – you can change an award ticket an hour before you’re scheduled to fly – free; no Byzantine frequent-flyer-loyalty program rules requiring a PhD to understand; etc.
Yes, it’s cattle call boarding, but considering the BS the others are pulling, I’ll be more than glad to travel with the herd.)