In the middle of a very catchy campaign by Southwest about "Bags Fly Free" Delta has raised their check in baggage cost again. Are they crazy?!? Of course we made our reservations on 1/8, meaning we missed the cut off date for the old costs, so that REALLY pisses me off. I've written to them which I'm sure is to no avail, but had to let somebody know their timing is horrendous and I'm over their games.

Steam coming out my ears - it's too early in the day for this much frustration..........

I posted this on the United States forum, but still want to pass some love along..

If you read the reviews on www.airlinequality.com, many foreigners expressed that they don't enjoy flying on U.S. based airlines because people wheel so much luggage on the plane when it should be down below. I realize that on flights to Europe and Asia, the airlines are not yet charging, (American is charging $50 for the second bag) but it is just the rush rush to see who can fill up the overhead bins first. You won't get this on the foreign airlines. On a Virgin Atlantic flight last year, the overhead bins were nearly empty on a full flight.

I know what you mean, wally34949. Normally we keep carry-ons to a complete minimum, but now we're rethinking our ways of flying and I hate to do that. Change doesn't sit well with me....... *smile*

I have been experimenting with going carryon-only the last few trips I've made - not to save money but for simplicity. I managed to go overseas for three weeks last fall with just one (big) carry-on bag and a smaller camera bag. It's worked out great: no lost luggage, easy flexibility if you get bumped or need to change your flights mid-trip (happened to me twice actually on a recent cross-country trip, via Southwest), no worries about connection time risking your luggage not making it, etc. I don't think it's saved me a nickel in bag fees, honestly - in the US, I almost always fly Southwest if I can anyway.

Southwest's free checked bags policy makes it even easier for me to find overhead bin space when I fly them; these new bag fees of the last few years make flying the other airlines even less attractive to me now!

Going with only a carry-on is my goal, but I often fail if the trip is for more than a week.

How much are they charging right now?

The Chicago Tribune today reported that Delta,United and Continental all are charging the same for checking luggage. American is still thinking .Southwest is the only one that doesn't but if you want to travel overseas that won't help you.

"When traveling within the United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico, customers are charged 23 USD/CAD* for the first checked bag and 32 USD/CAD* for the second checked bag (each way, for round trip). There is a 2 USD/CAD* surcharge on the first checked bag, 3 USD/CAD* on the second, when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. There is no surcharge for bags prepaid during online check-in at delta.com."


Sigh, still salts me when I read about it.

On Sunday January 17 we paid Delta $15 for our suitcase. 10 days earlier paid AA $20 for the same.

I wish they would just include the cost of bags and meals in the cost of the ticket and not do all this nickel and diming. I am willing to pay more for a ticket and not have to hassle with paying for everything ala carte.