You’ve got to be kidding!
Then again, are any of us really shocked to learn that a major airline has increased luggage fees yet again?
About 12 hours ago Delta Air Lines, the nation’s third-largest carrier, announced it plans to double its fee for checking a second bag to $50 each way on a domestic flight as a way to… you guessed it… offset the high cost of fuel.
Reps for the Atlanta-based carrier said that the changes will apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after Thursday for travel on or after August 5, 2008.
So here’s what you can expect if you purchase a seat on a Delta flight starting tomorrow:
You will now pay $50 instead of $25 for a second checked bag on domestic flights. In addition, you will need to fork over extra money if you want to check in specialty items that require special handling, such as surfboards, golf clubs or ski equipment on domestic and international flights.
The good news (if you can call it that) is that Delta is one of the few carriers that does not currently charge passengers a fee for checking a first bag on domestic flights, though execs with the airline say they are considering imposing the fee, which has been adopted by other major carriers. Also, according to airline reps, First Class, BusinessElite and Medallion customers will still be able to check up to three bags at no charge. In addition, Delta customers booked on international flights can check a first and second bag at no charge.
Now, back to the bad news: According to Delta, the fee for checking a third bag on a domestic flight will increase from $80 to $125, while the fee for checking a bag that is between 51 and 70 pounds on a domestic flight will rise from $80 to $90. Additionally, checking a bag that is 62 inches to 80 inches of the total of its length plus its width plus its height will rise from $150 to $175.
Finally, if you visit Delta’s website you will see a posting that warns passengers that if they have an extra piece of baggage that goes over the weight limit and the size limit, he or she will be charged three times — once for the extra bag, once for going over the size limit and once for going over the weight limit, which calculates to $315 for a single piece of luggage.
So, basically, if you overpack you might as well purchase a plane ticket for your oversized luggage-—it would probably be cheaper than paying the fees.
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