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AA Charging For Checked Baggage...What's Next...I'll Tell You!

Starting June 15 American Airlines will be charging $15 for 1 checked bag and $25 for a second checked bag. Rumor also has it there are talks to charge for carry-on luggage to stow in the overhead as well. And the real kicker is some airlines might consider charging for the lavatories! No not kidding! All major airlines are expected to follow suit. Food, blankets, and earphones have not been free since before 9-11.

Rising oil prices have raised fuel prices and increased their expected amounts by $3 billion dollars since the start of the year. The airline industry may have a $7.2 billion dollar loss this year compared to a profit of $6.6 billion last year.

I would rather pay more for my ticket than know I am being charged extra for my luggage. Luckily for me, I have lifetime Elite Status with AA, because their Elite Status passengers and full fare passengers will not have to pay these fees.

My advice, buy the biggest bag allowed and stuff it full, keeping it within size and weight limitations for AA guidelines. Long are the days of 3 bags per person. This is the future of air travel of what is to come!

It's still the fastest, best way to travel. Will we all keep paying for the convenience of it? Most likely... we may just choose other airlines until they have all imposed the same rules! It's just unfortunate, that it's come to this.

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Posted by Cindy Bryant~Houston's Home Staging & Home Stagers By Redesign Etc.~RESA~ASHSR on 05/23/2008 01:19 AM

Comments (10)

american airlines, luggage, checked baggage, fee, cost, extra, charging, airline industry, travel, oil prices, flying, aa

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10 Comments on AA Charging For Checked Baggage...What's Next...I'll Tell You!

I wonder how much this will really hinder or help the airlines to recover their expected losses for the year . . . will people cancel trips because of this extra expense . . . will we defer our travel or find other ways to get from point A to point B . . . makes me think twice about air travel . . . do believe we are all in for more surprises . . . just can't think about paying for use of the lavatories.

05/23/2008 01:35 AM

by W Michael (Mike) Chris - the HouseNspect guy (HouseNspect)

I agree with Mike, I think that this will just stop people from travelling. Sort of the the cut off your nose to spite your face syndrome.

05/23/2008 01:39 AM

by Tony & Darcy Cannon - The C Team (ERA Realty Center)

If they pick up on better security tips Ill even pitch in another 5.00. It would be a bargain better than a bomb!

05/23/2008 06:02 AM

by Chip Jefferson (Carrion Builders)

Hi Guys,

Sorry to disagree, but I don't think it will affect air travel that much. Some people will think twice, but most have to travel and it is still the best (fastest) way to travel. We really don't have a choice, unless you can't afford it or have the luxury of looking for less expensive alternatives that take a lot longer to get there. There is always Webinars, etc., but the face to face is just so important.

05/23/2008 08:20 AM

by Bill Exeter (1031 Exchange Expert) (Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC)

We shouldn't be too surprise. Its a creative solution to loosing/gaining money. Its about levels of service. It happens all around us. I'm thankful that we can fly when the need is there. Thanks for blogging. Lu

05/23/2008 12:18 PM

by Lu Kalaj (Re/Max Platinum)

I just flew on US Airways this past month and they only had a $25 fee for a second bag...but things are changing rapidly.

05/23/2008 12:24 PM

by Lori Franks ~ Brookings, Oregon Real Estate (Oregon Coast Realty)

This seems like an odd way to treat customers. Why not have it in the price. It just seems like an extra amount of work for the ticket agents and stewardess to have to deal with collecting money. Not very cost effective,or am I missing something?

05/27/2008 01:28 AM

by Katharine Carey, Agent Carey- Realtor® (BuyerTours Realty, LLC)

I think we need to get some Realtors to run these airlines... They are badly mismanaged and have been for some time.

There are some great players in the airline arena who are re-inventing the rules. I was reading about this last year in the Wall Street Journal. All we need is a good one to set the pace for all these badly managed behemoths.

Thanks for the informative blog!

05/27/2008 11:47 AM

by Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Connection

My Husband and I read on line last night that they are going to be charging a fuel surcharge for not only the weight of your luggage, but also the weight of YOU!

06/06/2008 09:37 PM

by Barbara Cluck-Miksits - New Jersey Home Staging (BCM Home Staging LLC)

It's outrageous what is going on with oil and jet fuel costs. We went to Mexico and you could check two bags, on the way back one bag and $25 for the second. Something has got to change!

06/06/2008 09:53 PM

by Debbie Malone, Realtor (R), Lynchburg, Smith Mountain Lake, VA (RE/MAX 1st Olympic)