American adds checked bag fee

[Hedy]

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200805211414DOWJONESDJONLINE000825_FORTUNE5.htm
Yipes. I wonder who else will follow.

[mom2ian]

Great, I hope DH doesn't get hit with this new fee on his flight next week.

Interesting that the article says that American is the first to charge for the first bag, because Spirit has been doing that for a while.

[mia214jia]

No telling..... :(

[mjjmbnmm]

well,I won't be flying them anymore. I flew continental about 3 weeks ago, they still allowed 2 bags with no fee, gave out food and had free movies, I didn't know that there was an airline that still that, was very surprised.

[mirandag819]

Great, I hope DH doesn't get hit with this new fee on his flight next week.

Interesting that the article says that American is the first to charge for the first bag, because Spirit has been doing that for a while.

Allegient has always charged for every bag.... and before Skybus went out of business they did too

[3dog2kidmom]

The fee won't affect tickets purchased before June 15 I think, so the tix I have already for our cruise in October won't be affected and I can check a free bag.

I am actually glad to see them do this before raising all fares to account for it. AA is my preferred airline, and if it helps keep fares lower I am all for people paying to check bags. I could probably carry on in most cases if it weren't for skin and hair care... but I guess I'll have to get creative next time. Except when I travel for work... they can pay the fee for me :rotfl:

[~Kathie]

As of May 1st, Delta is charging for the 2nd checked bag....doesn't matter when you booked your flight. I don't think it affects first class passengers. :(

We flew down to Florida on Delta on April 15th and had 2 checked bags each free. We flew home on May 18th and had 2 bags checked each and paid $50.
$25 each for the additional checked bag. I was a little miffed at that since we booked our flights last October.

Southwest just changed from 3 to 2 checked bags as of Jan 2008. No fees.

[PSL1013]

They are saying that AA is the first to charge for the first bag and that all airlines will eventually follow their lead! Nothing is going to be "free" anymore. Also they are going to be cutting back on flights etc. I personally don't usually fly AA although I did when we booked our last trip we just returned from, I prefer Delta because they have a direct flight to WDW but who knows what will change when they merge later this year? Flying is a necessity for us and we will have to deal with it, like it or not! :(

[ligrumpygirl]

Makes me happy for Jetblue...and Owner's Locker and DVC washing machines!! Soon I will be able to go down with two carryons!!

[m 'n c]

I found this article on yahoo today which gives tips for packing a carryon. I'll be looking harder at this come September.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080522/ap_tr_ge/travel_light_packing;_ylt=AutN3fiPgyIZjjXuEQ6r416s 0NUE