Unbelievable! American Airlines charges $15 for first checked bag

May 21, 2008

That’s no misprint. It’s a sad footnote to the decline of America’s once-legendary airline industry. American Airlines this morning slapped a $15 fee on the first checked bag, a move the rest of the industry is all but certain to follow.

That’s right. No more free checked luggage.

In a press release, the airline blamed “increasing costs of transporting checked baggage,” adding …

This fee, which is effective for tickets purchased on or after June 15, does not apply to: American’s AAdvantage program members who have achieved AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Executive Platinum level; those who have purchased full-fare tickets in the Economy, Business and First Class cabins; and those with international itineraries (except to and from Canada and U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

In other words, the very passengers who can least afford to pay the extra $15 — families with children, budget travelers and working Americans — are being socked with this surcharge. Meanwhile, those who have the money are getting a pass.

My fellow bloggers are not pleased by this policy change. Over at Gadling, Grant Martin predicted chaos this summer as a result of the new fee. Jaunted thinks American is trying to become the next Ryanair. And the ubiquitous Rick Seaney asked, “What are they thinking?”

But wait! There’s more.

American also said today that it has increased its fees for certain other services, ranging from reservation service fees to pet and oversized bag fees. The increases mostly range from $5 to $50 per service. The company estimates that new and increased fees announced this month will generate several hundred million dollars in incremental annual revenue.

“While we understand that these fees affect customers, we also believe that our pricing for the services we provide remains extremely competitive in the industry and continues to offer our customers ample choice and value,” American’s chief executive, Gerard Arpey, said in a prepared statement. “The bottom line is that our revenues, which include ticket sales and fees, must keep pace with our increasing costs.”

Even though I think these fees should be included in the price of a ticket, American certainly has the right to charge them in a free market. But I’d like to see some consistency. As I pointed out in an earlier post, these fees don’t always make sense.

If American and other airlines unbundle the cost of luggage from your ticket, and you’re paying extra for all of your luggage, shouldn’t you get something for the money? At the very least, an immediate refund of the fee if your luggage is lost or “misplaced”? And maybe we should insist on drawing up a separate legal contract for the carriage of our luggage, including more compensation when luggage goes missing.

It’s only a matter of time before airlines begin charging for our carry-on bag.

CKiggins

I’m wondering how long it will take for the first class action lawsuit to be filed by those people who paid to have their bag checked and then it not show up or it gets lost.

Either that, or the credit card companies will likely see an uptick in chargebacks with people disputing the charge for something that was not delivered as promised.
Joy

A loyal Southwest Airlines rapid rewards member here… thankfully I’ve not had to put up with any of this nonsense (yet) and on extended flights I get a snack pack without having to ante up $5. I’m flying a non-Southwest airline for the first time in more than 5 years (because I had to, not because I wanted to) and imagine my surprise today when I called the airline and heard a recording saying that I could be charged up to $200 for baggage. $200!!

In all seriousness though – what American Airlines has done is the EXACT reason why my family will be DRIVING more than 1,000 miles for my sister’s wedding this fall instead of trying to find a flight. Three tanks of gas in my hybrid, meals and a hotel for one night is going to cost a whole heck of a lot less than 3 airline tickets and both the hidden and non-hidden fees.

They keep on adding on fees and making people pay for services yet their customer service continues to tank. What gives?

Maybe it’s time for Amtrak to figure out how to get their act together. Trip might be longer but at least the scenery would be better.
MoNgo

This is a GOOD thing. Business travelers with costly tickets have to contend with the family brood on the vacation tourist ticket. I look forward to the return of the days where air travel was exceptional: people, including the cabin staff, dressed professionally. These days its slobs spilling their fast food fat pills on people as the climb into their seats too small for their fat bodies, yelled at by their feral kids while kicking the back of seats. American Airlines is the leader. After the cheap bums give up trying to cram 50 lbs of stuff into their carry-ons, tying up security checks and fighting for overhead space, they can then be booted off the cheap airlines when the pilot says the plane exceeds the takeoff weight limit. Air travel will be more enjoyable, less fuel burned–fuel costs decrease–global warming eased, shorter waits at security, less taxes needed for ATC and airport expansion.
Please boycott. Please drive, not fly, on vacations like your parents did. Or pay for your family of four with the fees that add up to less than one ticket price of the business traveler.
IndiTravler

Stupid but not unexpected. Obviously costs are going up so prices must rise — but everyone seems to feel that a low base plus a surcharges are the way to go. Company execs aren’t stupid (for the most part) — surchages work better for them or they wouldn’t do it. Personnaly, I’d rather see a “fair” inclusive fare — but it doesn’t seem likely in this climate.
KeysKindaGirl

This is gonna get ugly faster than you can believe possible I’m traveling this summer and can’t wait to see how much crap is squeezed into the bins overhead. People are already bringing stuff on board that is way too big, and yet now they just got the green light to bring even more on board. It’s getting to the point where traveling just isn’t fun anymore.
turtletrot1

If there are other carriers providing the same service, I think passengers will migrate. It could be a case of “penny wise; pound foolish” for American. The loss of passengers will offset any “savings” they hope to generate. With the state of the economy, I am not sure that companies will be paying for all these extras when their employees could travel at better fares. But ti all really boils down to greed.
Oil prices, commodities, transportation GREED GREED GREED !
David

You use it you pay for it. I would rather have a fee for something that is a matter of choice than an increase in charges for everyone.
James

I solved this problem years ago. Now when I travel I send everything by UPS or FedEx. I get a tracking number so I can monitor status along the way. I carry-on a backpack with an extra change of clothing, laptop and some personal items. Travelling has never been easier. I find UPS 3-Day to be the best price vs time option and it also gets better tracking.
Linda K.

I’m just wondering if they charge a fee for your bag, how will this affect it getting lost? It seems to me that if they charge a fee they should have to guarantee that no luggage will be lost and work hard to make sure it doesn’t happen. The past has proven that they aren’t careful enough with luggage and many end up at their destination with no luggage! The $15 would be worth it to me if my luggage was never lost.
Melissa

Guess what, now Disneyworld will no longer allow resort check in of baggage for AA…you also can no longer check in 2 bags because they have no way of charging for the 1st or 2nd bags. The charges for baggage are going to have such a huge snowball effect. This will slow things down at Disneyworld, the TSA lines, boarding lines, delay flights because of all of the gate checked luggage. Oh the nightmares to come!!! I can’t wait to see what the holidays are like.
Charles Stevens

Nothing shocks me anymore with any of the airlines. I fly 100k+ every year and this is just par for the course. The overhead bins are already full with people bringing bags that you can tell will not fit into size checker at the gate. peolple are also bringing 2 rollerboards on board and putting them into the overheads. Where does that leave me with my one small laptop bag? I can never find room to put it up. This is only going to get worse with AA’s new policy.

I have no problem with paying this fee, but, if they lose my baggage, they need to compensate me on the spot. Not 2 months later and 10 emails and phone calls later. There also needs to be two “contracts of carrige” now. One for people and one for our luggage!

The airlines know they have us over a barrel (barrel of oil also). I f we need to go long distances, We must fly. they can do what ever they want to us and we all have to bend over and take it up the @#$.

I just flew from IAD-LAX and LAX-IAD, on my trip to Australia, sat in economy and could even get a meal. First class….gets the hot meal and free drinks. Ten dollars for a month old sandwich and a stale bag of chips…all the other airlines still feed you on a trip longer than 3.5 hours. I can’t wait until they start charging us for the toilet and the lousy movies they play!
Matthew M.

I FedEx my clothes to my destination when I travel, so the fee won’t effect me. However because of the boarding nightmare this is policy will SURELY create, I won’t even consider an American Airlines flight for the foreseeable future. If I was an AA Platinum customer, I’d be really angry. They won’t have to pay the fee, but will be inconvenienced all the same. Pissing off your frequent fliers is commercial suicide. What is AMR thinking?!
Lyngengr

I’m surprised that nobody has really analyzed why AA has started charging for bags. Guess what – it really isn’t about the extra money per bag they will earn!

The main reason why I think AA is doing this is to save fuel. If they start charging for every bag, most people will try to carry on, and you can’t physically bring that much on board with AA’s scooters (MD-80′s). So, AA carries less “cargo” which translates into better mileage by forcing everyone to pack light.

If you take the effect of this charge even further, AA might be looking to cut costs in other ways. Fewer bags checked means fewer baggage handlers, and quicker turnaround of the planes so they won’t be chronically late.

So you see, it really was shrewd management at work on this one!
Carrie Charney

Matt Davies’ cartoon op ed in today’s Rockland Journal News was of an huge AA plane in front of a gate agent saying that there’s a charge for use of the jetway. I hope he’s not foreseeing the future!
Dana

The issue isn’t really BAGS. it’s ‘weight’. So why not go all the way?
As you enter the ticket line, you could pass over a scale (‘weigh station’ for you truckers) and you are charged a fee based on your weight plus that of your checked and carry-on bagage. Check or carry-on less, lose weight, and you pay less. This would help to save oil and reduce waist lines.
http://www.theonionsoup.com Ronnie

If they start charging based upon your personal weight, will they give you money back every time you use the lav?
ChrisK

I wonder how long it will take for the first class-action lawsuit to be filed on behalf of those who paid to check their bag but it was then lost or did not arrive.

Either that or the CC companies will see an uptick in chargebacks/disputes from people who were charged the fee on their credit card but did not receive the service they paid for (a bag that arrives on your flight with the passenger).

This could be interesting to watch.
DaveS

My reactions to this are mixed. Obviously the airlines need more revenue to survive; and baggage does represent a real expense to the airline in terms of fuel and personnel. They could just raise the fares, but if it costs the airline less to fly a passenger without baggage than one with baggage, what’s the harm in charging them differently? There was quite a protest at first when airlines starting charging for meals. People soon learned to eat before boarding, upon deplaning, to bring their own food along, or buy what the airline was selling. Why should the fare include a meal when some people want one and some don’t? Likewise, why should the fare include baggage service if some people use it (at a cost to the airline) and some don’t? Obviously there are alternatives for people who don’t want to pay the fee – travel light, ship the baggage, go to another airline that doesn’t charge (at least for now).
http://www.futuregringo.com james

Chris – in your follow up article you write:

quote: In fact, you should carry on the maximum luggage you’re allowed. Take your time boarding, too. If enough passengers do, then it could put this ill-advised fee out of its misery. – quote

Of course if you should lug your luggage with to save money – but I can’t believe you’re actually suggesting that customers purposely stall the boarding process with retaliatory childish tactics.

To expound on your idea: How much time do you recommend we take? Should I stand in the isle and pretend that my bag won’t fit and fake grunt in feigned exhaustion? How do you propose we “take our time boarding?”

I don’t appreciate this idea, and I’m guessing those with tight connections don’t either… I read your articles and blog regularly – but this is just plain bad advice.

james http://www.futuregringo.com
Flight Attendant

You guys are complaining about paying to check in your bag. Did you hear the other news about American Airlines laying off employees because of the fuel prices. So stop complaining and think of how worse it can be that you can be actually loosing your job! I wish me paying to check my bag was my problem now I have to sit and worry If I am going to be unemployed in the next 3 months.
PS This is not the first time I have been laid off by this company.
BeFair

To me, it often seems like the popular choice is to criticize the airline industry for one reason or another. While I have often been a frustrated traveller too, I still recognize that the airlines are trying to run a business. The objective is to make money! The decisions may not be popular, but the simple fact is: When a company’s costs increase, they will increase the costs to their customers. There is no other choice if they want to stay in business. When other businesses do this, the decision is met with grudging acceptance. When airlines do it, the criticisms just pile up!
yfare

If the airlines had invested in hardening cockpits and in screening passengers, prior to 9/11 there is a good chance they wouldn’t be in this mess now. Yes – I’m saying if they paid up – the way El Al has paid up (in securing its aircraft – and yes I know they don’t have near as many planes)- there could possibly have been no 9/11.. no war in Afghanistan/Iraq – rising fuel prices, etc. etc… it all started with 9/11.

Airlines always complain about new regulations and use their lobbyists to sway congress. Money they are forced to spend on ANYTHING including security, is anethema to them and their bottom line – and lets not forget CEO salaries. Airlines will always say they did everything the FAA told them to do and we’re supposed to believe this gets them off the hook. I blame the airlines for the mess they are in. What is an ounce of prevention worth???

You and I, the taxpayers, paid for their bailout – do you remember that? What good did it do?
Joe Farrell

Hey, Ronnie – the total weight of the airplane does not change just cause you use the lav – think about it a little.

@FltAttendant – aren’t you a little more senior now? A higher seniority number? You should be less concerned with every passing bid about being laid off. . .

I am more concerned with the lack of bag space as more people bring carryons – for a while there – when ALL liquids were banned – the carryons were empty.

How will they handle paying for Gate Checked luggage? What if the passenger refuses to pay? The passenger can claim that there are oversized items in the overheads that should not be there and if the airline enforced its bag policy there would be room for his/her bag, meaning they would not have to pay the fee. If they waive the fee for gate checked luggage then I’ll just bring everything to the gate.

If they insist you pay do they leave your luggage at the gate, thereby causing an unattended bag and an airport evacuation?

There are all sorts of unintended consequences to this policy that need to be explained to the traveling public clearly and unambiguously. Since, everyone has cell phones with cameras and they can take pictures of the full bins with items that do not pass muster under the carryon policy. . .
Michele N

First-The fee itself is ridiculous. However, if they are going to charge it, it should be consistent and charged to everyone, including full-fare paying passengers, as part of the price of the ticket. What it is saying is, pay our outrageous full price and we won’t charge you extra to send the clothes you need to cover your butt wherever you are going. If you somehow pay for a sale or discounted fare, you’ll still pay more, so you might as well pay our higher price to start with.
It also says we obviously only want to deal with business class single travelers. Vacationers and families please go elsewhere. But wait, less personal travelers means less $ coming in, so we will have to create another fee to compensate for that too. What a bunch of garbage the airlines have become.
Rama

The one big reason for disagreement with the fee is that TSA would not allow some of the shaving products on the carry on luggage and then you have to pay a fee for carrying these items or buy them at full price near the hotel??? Also the companies need to cut cost at the top – who get paid the most. I don’t hear of any layoffs at the vice president or director level…
Dave

So long AA it’s been nice knowing you.
mazorj

“I’ve stopped flying American a long time ago when their fares were higher than the rest.”

“Think about it, with this new policy AA’s $200 flight (with a checked bag) is automatically more expensive than another airlines’s $205, yet by using this bait-and-switch tactic AA could get the sale.”

“if they are going to charge it, it should be consistent and charged to everyone, including full-fare paying passengers, as part of the price of the ticket. What it is saying is, pay our outrageous full price and we won’t charge you extra to send the clothes you need to cover your butt wherever you are going.”

Listen to yourselves, people!

You’ve stopped flying AA altogether because their listed fares are “too high”. You’ll go to another carrier to save $5. You fly the “cheap seats” but you cry “Foul!” when the airline rewards those who who pay their higher fares.

In a perfect world, airlines would simply set and list their fares with no nickel and diming. BUT YOU’LL JUMP AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE A NICKEL OR A DIME! You game the system by crawling the web to get the absolute lowest listed fare. You reward carriers that list the lowest fare. You punish those who try to give you what you say you want – “just put it all up front in the listed fare with no surcharges”. So why are you surprised that as a matter of survival, the airlines have learned to game the system too?

You whine because you’re not getting pre-deregulation service at post-deregulation prices. Sorry, but after 30 years of cut-throat price competition, price-sensitive customers are getting the air transport system they deserve.

Another little-noted part of American’s announcement is that they are grounding some aircraft and cutting schedules. What does this tell us? It means that even with surcharges, AA can’t recover the cost of serving some markets at current levels of frequency. Why? 1. Go back and reread the above. 2. The industry’s Achilles heel all along has been over-capacity. “Too many seats chasing too few fare dollars.” The value of every one of those empty seats is perishable – it goes to zero as soon as they close the door at the jetway – but the cost of providing that seat doesn’t go away. Hence the games-playing at the margins to try to recoup some of the cost of that otherwise empty seat.

I’m well aware that the above comments are a generalization. Not all customers play the pricing game down to the last penny. Some have little or no choice when selecting a ticket, grit their teeth and pony up without whining. Some are willing to pay for what they get. A few are even willing to pay more (or have expense accounts that allow them to pay more) for additional amenities. But airlines can’t survive just on captive and business- and first-class travelers. They need to sell the rest of their seats and that’s where the nickel-and-dime games are played by both sides.

There have been a number of cogent observations here questioning whether charging for the first checked bag is the wisest way to increase needed revenues, and AA undoubtedly will suffer some trade-offs because of it. But the reality is that under the current system, carriers have no choice but to exploit every opportunity to enhance revenues and cut costs.
Sam R

Oh my goodness. Has it really come to this? I remember commenting during the Super-80/83 crisis that American has slowly been driving me away with things like this, and here they go again. I’m of a valuable demographic, and I know it. The 18-24 year old section, next to the ever valuable Gold/Plat/Exec Plat group are the ones that you really want to keep. If you can get someone hooked on your airline, trusting you fully while they’re in that demographic, you may well have them for the rest of their lives.

Now, as I’ve stated before, I’m not a ranked frequent flier on AA, but I am flying this summer on 50k AAdvantage miles I’ve accrued over the last 3 years; but I’ll make it abundantly clear right now, this trip will be my last on American. I’m more than positive that quite a few other airlines are going to be more than happy to accept my hard earned pay and take me to where I want to go in much more comfort than AA. Anymore, as I’ve read time and time over in the above comments, American has proven itself to be much less a full service airline and barely providing any extras over airlines like Southwest. Now, with throwing this bag fee on, they are WORSE than even the most basic of airlines in my book. Their planes don’t offer audio/video/SNACKS…anything. As to those above that have stated that people going for the cheap seats are what is driving American to this…I’m truthfully inclined to agree, but I’m not one. I’ve said before, and I’ll say again, I’ve paid upwards of $200 more to fly American, because I believe in loyalty (and earning those miles), but I’ll end on this: JetBlue here I come.

-Sam
“Valued” American Customer
Bill

I think they should make everyone go to the bathroom before they get on the plane. Over millions of passengers, the amount of weight saved would be huge!

Seriously, just about all of the airlines have a “fuel surcharge” and this should take care of the fuel prices no matter what they are. In this way, people can see what the fuel surcharge is. Hiding the fuel costs in luggage and other places is not going to help – because when fuel goes up again, which is most certainly will, what are they going to add on next?

Be straightforward to your customers.
Jake Smith

Seeing myself quoted, I realized that I did not make my point clear…adding these additional ‘surchrages’ or ‘fees’ is really the airline’s way of hiding the true issue; the cost of doing business has gone up due to fuel. Rather than tack on this, that, and the other in order to recover the cost, the airlines should build the cost into the base fare. This would make comparison shopping a breeze for consumers, and quickly put to rest any airline that is in trouble due to it’s own inefficiency and poor customer service (both AA and NWA come to mind from my personal experience, but hey, I’m sure everyone reading this has their own story).

Maybe they’ve convinced themselves this is a ‘temporary’ charge that will be removed when the price of fuel comes down, but if so I’ve got news for them – THAT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN. At the same time, I realize that the first airline to go the honest route will be penalized by consumers for charging a $300 fare for the same route their competitor charges a $200 fare, but then tacks on $100 in taxes, fees, and surcharges. Hence my call to push the legislature to require full disclosure of all costs in the initial advertisement process – the cream will rise, while the fat (aka the ‘full service’) airlines will sink when forced to actually justify their business model to the consumer upfront (via pricing). Once again:

US Congress Contact Info:
https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

US Senate Contact Info (Find Your Senators in the upper right corner)
http://www.senate.gov/

Letter I actually sent:
==============================================
Dear XXXXXXXX,

I’m writing to request that you sponsor or support a bill requiring that any listed airline fare, in print, television ads, radio ads, on websites, or in any other medium, include all associated taxes, fees, and surcharges that are currently added later in the process.

Right now airlines will only list their ‘base’ fare, then tack on security fees, airport fees, fuel surcharges, etc. making it impossible for a consumer to actually compare prices across the board. The main excuse that I’ve heard used is that if any single airline were to list this information up front the price would automatically skyrocket, leaving them at a ‘competitive disadvantage’. Legislating the requirement that all listings include this information eliminates that ‘disadvantage’.

Please note that I agree in a free market they are certainly allowed to charge whatever fees and surcharges whatever they deem necessary; my issue is that they are able to pull their bait and switch routine by not advertising the actual price of their services upfront – many sites I’ve been reading lately even point out that oftentimes the taxes, surcharges and fees exceed the base fare!

Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I am certain that I am not alone in my frustration with the airline industry, and see this as a great first step in allowing the free market to do its work by equipping consumers with the information they need.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXX
=======================================

If I’m wrong, I’m wrong, but I think the American public has had enough of this airline nonsense, and with AA finally breaking the camel’s back we can make a difference.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve boycotted American since they lost a bag on a flight to an international destination (under their new fees, shouldn’t that get me increased compensation?), then cancelled (for no reason given, at least 3 gate agents questioned) a return flight, rerouting myself and my fiancee through an additional airport, under construction, with literally no time to make the connection (Miami, terminal A to F, tram out of service, 20 minute connection due to delays – try it sometime, I dare you) they had rerouted us through. Typical surly gate/flight attendants, not their fault, not their problem, no help = no more of my business. So their new fee will not affect me in the slightest; I’d rather pay more on Southwest (which interestingly enough doesn’t happen, they know how to run a business and value customer loyalty over one time fat fares) than fly American.
David J

I am a once-in-a-while airline passenger and I use a great Travel Agent.

I live in Colorado Springs, CO and have a choice of 2 airports – COS and DEN.

I don’t request for a particular airline, rather, I request my airline by where I am going (Destination), the flight connectons, and by the (importantly) the total price including fees, taxes, – and now by luggage.

If the airline companies are trying to SAVE money, why do they spend millions of dollars on misleading advertising on the airwaves. Since I’m going to price-shop anyway and many others with “Frequent Flyer Miles” are going to use their favorite airline as well, what good do the millions of dollars of advertising do for people’s choice? My travel agent finds several choices for me on my requested dates and will hold the reservation for a week before charging me – no obligation.

To be fair on the checked baggage fee issue, I think there should be a fee for carry-on luggage as well. As many have mentioned, there will be a bottle-neck at the boarding gate for awhile. Perhaps the TSA could charge a fee for the number of bags being passing through the carry-on line.

Thanks, David

By the way, I’m not a travel agent.
Theodore

I just got off of a flight where the attendant told me American was going to disallow carry on bags (just permit one personal item) starting June 12th, but decided to postpone the date. She said charging for all checked baggage was the first step and that eventually passengers would be forced to check bags…

I’m waiting for a response from AA.com’s speedy email department.
http://www.myspace.com/trishkorman Trish Korman

So they get you coming and going. Quite literally.
Marta E

I flew American Airlines on a domestic fight and yes..I was charged the $15 fee for my checked luggage. But when I picked up my friend Yuko at DFW from an American Airline international flight from Narita here, I saw that she had 4 pieces of luggage..I asked here –How much did you pay for all your luggage!. She looked at me and said..NOthing..I was NOT charged $15 for each piece of luggage..SO what I found was a double standard..Does this fee only apply to US domestic fights or flights originating from the US..I call this an unfair practice on American Airlines part!
G.Roy

My husband and I just flew with Continental and were charged $15.00 for the first checked bag and $25.00 for the second. Unbelievable!
Brooke

I have never flown AA, but I am about to in 2 days. I went with AA because it was the cheapest flight I could find. I’m flying from Europe to the U.S. and I really hope I don’t regret my decision to save a couple hundred dollars. I’ve flown Delta internationally and it is wonderful.

In regards to what Marta posted about the double standard with international flights, I wouldn’t so much call it a double standard. A domestic flight is much cheaper and much shorter than an international flight. Many people fly somewhere domestic and stay for just a few days so, in some cases, it is possible to survive with just a carry-on. On the contrary, it really can’t be expected for someone to fly internationally with just a carry-on. I still don’t agree for any charge for the first bag no matter where you’re going, but if they have to do it, I don’t think its a double standard to charge domestic while not charging international.

I don’t know if I will be charged for the one bag I am bringing with me from Europe, but I certainly hope not. If I am, that is absolutely ridiculous when I just spend over a thousand dollars on a plane ticket.
Kathi Browne

We just flew internationally (to Costa Rica for Christmas) and were charged $15 per bag by Continental. Sure would like to know how Yuko paid nothing because we were a family of five (that means $75 to bring clothing). Maybe it had something to do with the origin being outside of the US?
Warren

Beware, AA charged my son fees for his 2 bags even though his tickets were purchased in March 08. He also had first class tickets for his flights but being that AA’s (American Eagle) plane was not equipped with first class seating they considered him as flying coach.
Jon Smith

Now this is just ridiculous. When you pay for galon of gas at the gas station you know exactly how much it is going to cost you cause are taxes and fees are already included in the displayed price of gas. There is absolutely no reason why airlines wouldnt be able to do it too. You give out every last piece of privacy when you purchase tickets and with their electronic systems they know exactly what airport and other fees are at destination. And the claims that their new charges result from oil price increase is a total bullshit. If they make us believe that their markup is affected so greatly by fluctuation in oil price then they will be out of business bankupted in no time anyway.
johnathan Kiser

I recently purchases tickets for American Airlines to take my two children from Orlando to El Paso after I get back from Iraq in August (2009). Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances in Iraq, I will not be able to get out on the correct date which means I needed to change my tickets for AA. Upon calling, they informed me that there is a mandatory service of $150 per person which equates into $450 with my two kids. My total ticket price was $468. This means that they are charging me 96% of my purchase to make a change. Before I go any further, I do realize that appropriate fees may be necessary and any difference in ticket price (Delta charged me $50 for an international flight), but charges of astronomical proportions are unjust and criminal! Furthermore, I’m appalled to think that this is how “AMERICAN” Airlines treats deployed military/veterans who are serving to protect everyone’s freedom and our way of life. It truly repulses me to the core…
Good Points
Customer services pointed out that they have no fee for standby. So if you want to fly at the last minute and have a large window to play with, you can spend your days duly waiting at the airport to catch a no fee standby flight. Thanks American Airlines, you sure know how to look out for consumer interest…
Bad Points
American Airlines is a bad point. If it wasn’t, it would need to seek government assistance to avoid chapter 11 bankruptcy. When fees become so expensive that they cost more than the good/service purchased, you would think the business might want to re-structure its business model and limit overhead costs back into a realistic margin. Especially when competitors are providing the same service for a fraction of the costs, you would think American Airlines would be looking to match such benefits to maintain its customer base. The customer service department of American airlines seem completely heartless and continuously swimming in a massive pool of intellectual myopia as they could not fathom why service charges of $150 per person for changes made to $150 tickets was preposterous. Neither could the customer service department understand why I would not buy “new” tickets through American Airlines after they basically just stole money from me as I cannot possibly use the service (air travel) paid for. Therefore, American Airlines as a whole is a bad point in my mind.
Conclusion
I will no longer fly American Airlines as they made no effort to fix an apparently broken system of gross negligence. Additionally, this only further illustrates why American Airlines is continuously struggling and constantly requesting government assistance. Sure, American Airlines made quite the profit off robbing me out of $468 which I have no way of getting back. However, I’m sure their bottom line will suffer (from me at least) as I will never purchase another flight through this airline. Even if that means that I am required to incur a greater cost for their competitor because at least I know the additional cost will be well worth the expense (If the competitor is more expensive in each case).
I cannot tell you to fly another airline besides American Airlines, but do ensure that you are fully aware of the risks associated when dealing with a corrupt and vile company such as American Airlines. Also, makes sure you are certain that there will be absolutely no changes required as American Airlines has no apparent idea of “unforeseen circumstances” such as death, delay, Iraq deployment schedule, etc. Again, you are free to buy at you own will, but I do strongly urge you to reconsider alternate airlines as American Airlines is anything but American and the epitome of everything wrong with business practices nowadays. If consumers ban together and boycott businesses such as American Airlines that are ethically and morally irresponsible, these said businesses will be forced to re-evaluate their practices and procedures accordingly. Please pass this message on to as many friends/family members to help prevent them of making the same mistake I made when traveling as hundreds of dollars lost to blood-thirsty businesses can be avoided with proper awareness.
http://www.G-bags.com Mark A. Griffin

I recently checked through several airports using this bag. I actually had several TSA agents tell me they loved them, because it eliminates less items on the conveyor belt. Think about it, if everyone had one of these we could eliminate a tom of Gray tubs! They have a video on this page that shows how it is used. Peace-
http://g-bags.com/ezcheck.html
HawaiianAir747

Really? you get free flights, do little or nothing since everything is an extra fee fee now. Try living on the other side of reality, YOUR airlines is makig it so people can not afford to use their services, jack th eprices and have empty seats, Then they can save even more by cutting Attendant’s. Oh wait maybe that is another fee they can tack on the the consumers. You want someone to bring you out 5.00 bag of peanuts? well that is gonna cost you another 10.00.

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