AirTran adding baggage fee

[SunshineGirl]

<sigh> This would have added an additional $120 to the cost of our trip to Florida last week. I may have to start looking harder at Southwest.

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AirTran Airways announces changes to checked bag policy

11/13/2008


AirTran Airway announced that the airline has modified its policy for checked bags. Effective Nov. 12, 2008, for travel on or after Dec. 5, 2008, customers will be charged $15 for their first checked bag. Customers who purchased tickets on or before Nov. 11, 2008, will not be charged for their first checked bag. AirTran Airways will continue to charge $25 for a second checked bag and $50 for each additional bag.

Business Class travelers and A+ Rewards Elite members will be exempt from the first bag charges and will continue to be exempt from second bag charges.

Source: AirTran Airways

[PSL1013]

ugg...we are going to Ft. Lauderdale leaving on 12/5, so this won't effect us but SW is really looking good now for our future trips, hopefully they won't decide to follow suit at some point? :confused:

[disney_girl]

I'm really bummed that Airtran is joining the others! We always fly Airtran...might have to see if there are other options now.

It's just getting ridiculous and expensive! I'm sure now we'll see even bigger bags as carryons- it was bad enough this last flight with everything everyone was trying to cram in the overhead compartments.

[sunshinecindy]

Its so ridiculous. We are fling Northwest in Dec, not sure if they charge, will have to check. Its almost getting cheaper for a large family to mail their clothes ahead of time. Looks like a new business to start in Orlando. Hmmmm

[jnorth1007]

I agree Cindy. Can you imagine the money to be made if you allowed people to ship thier boxes to you and guaranteed delivery to their resort upon arrival. So many people would choose that instead of checking or carry on. Most are worried there boxes will get misplaced when they arrive at the resort. If you guaranteed delivery to their room once they arrived people would definitely choose to do it that way. Hmmmm. Too bad I don't live in Orlando lol

[PSL1013]

Well, they already do have a business called "Owners Locker" which, if you have enough extra clothes to leave there, might be an option for some people?

[fourfoxesinpa]

This is ridiculous given that the barrel of oil has gone from $140 to $58. Why didn't they institute this policy when the price of oil/fuel was at much higher levels? Prices are pretty competitive for us between AirTran and Southwest, yet I prefer AirTran because of their boarding procedure. But now, I'll definitely give the nod to Southwest unless I can streamline my packing to get everything into 4 carryon bags.

Speaking of which, why is DCL still charging a fuel surcharge when some cruiselines are discontinuing that charge since fuel prices have dropped? Just one of those things that make you go "hmmm."

I remember hearing something on the DIS podcast about a service where you can send your luggage but I don't remember the name. I do think it was at least $50 a delivery.

[jnorth1007]

Well, they already do have a business called "Owners Locker" which, if you have enough extra clothes to leave there, might be an option for some people?

I know but I could never leave that many clothes down there and we go twice a year AT MOST. Sometimes only once and sometimes not at all. A service that charges $50 to deliver your box to your resort could be used by people who go once in a lifetime or once a month. Still a great deal at $50. LOL but again just daydreaming since I don't live down there.

[icartjetta]

I agree Cindy. Can you imagine the money to be made if you allowed people to ship thier boxes to you and guaranteed delivery to their resort upon arrival. So many people would choose that instead of checking or carry on. Most are worried there boxes will get misplaced when they arrive at the resort. If you guaranteed delivery to their room once they arrived people would definitely choose to do it that way. Hmmmm. Too bad I don't live in Orlando lol

Hey, I live in Orlando. Great idea Janet, if anyone wants to send their stuff my way I could surely deliver it for you! And even make a stop at the grocery store on my way! Hmmmmmmm is right Janet!:sunshine:

[ligrumpygirl]

Hey, I live in Orlando. Great idea Janet, if anyone wants to send their stuff my way I could surely deliver it for you! And even make a stop at the grocery store on my way! Hmmmmmmm is right Janet!:sunshine:

We talked about this last week!! I say LET'S GET THAT BUSINESS PLAN TOGETHER! Tonight? Over drinks and chat? :banana:

[fourfoxesinpa]

I found the companies they talked about on the DISpodcast.

http://www.luggageforward.com/

and

http://www.luggagefree.com/

It looks pretty expensive (IMO) but just thought I'd pass the names along in case they help someone save some hassles.

Heck...it'd be cheaper to just make a run to Walmart, buy clothing and donate it to a charity or toss it at the end of your trip!

[jnorth1007]

Cool. I checked those out and the one thing I found is that both deliver to the hotel but not personally to the room. They are national companies so the luggage goes to the same place it would if you just UPS the items to yourself at Disney. I think if someone were able do what Traci said it would be worth it to have it come right to your room and not sit at the front desk waiting to be lost or delivered. I have seen so many times with these swaps people do that items get lost and misplaced. I drive so it doesn't really apply to me but I would freak if I shipped all of my stuff to the hotel and it got misplaced for hours because they have so much stuff. JMHO though!

[icartjetta]

I really need to think about this. What a great idea!

[sunshinecindy]

Traci, you really need to start his business. It could be so lucrative and helpful for our people and others on the Dis board. I am so sick and tired of the airlines ripping people off.

[fourfoxesinpa]

It would be a great service. The only problem I could envision would be that hotels don't always know your room number until you check in. I wouldn't think they'd be able to give your room number to third parties either (liability, privacy, you know...all that legal mumbo jumbo). But, if people are willing to get into their room, call with the room number and wait for delivery, it could be an awesome way to avoid extra fees! :banana:

[jnorth1007]

That was my idea Jamie. Either call when you get to your room or even call when your plane lands at which point Traci would leave with your bags to head to the hotel. By this time you will checking in and she can meet you in the lobby or if you have gotten your number she could meet you at your room. She would never even deal with Disney just one on one with her customer. The customer would know before they even left for Disney if their boxes had arrived at Traci's so no getting there only to find out the delivery service didn't make it to Disney. Since it is personalized she could call you as soon as your package arrived. Imagine the piece of mind. I have lots of ideas so PM me if you need some brainstorming Traci LOL

[m4travels]

Speaking of which, why is DCL still charging a fuel surcharge when some cruiselines are discontinuing that charge since fuel prices have dropped? Just one of those things that make you go "hmmm."

Only some of the lines have dropped their surcharges. I believe Disney said that they would drop their charge once the price per barrel dropped below a certain dollar level ($70??) and stayed under for 30 days. Guess we'll just have to see if they hold to that line.

[zoodoyle]

This really sounds like a great idea, and one that I'm sure we would take advantage of! On our last trip, we sent down a large box so we wouldn't have to check any luggage, and while it arrived with no problem, I was sooo worried it would get lost - this would definitely give people piece of mind!! :D

[JillyFish]

Phewwwww!!! I made my reservations in October......THANK GOODNESS!!!
This sounds like a great idea though!