--- In BATN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "2/27 SJ Mercury" <batn@...> wrote: Published Wednesday, February 27, 2008, by the San Jose Mercury News Trend takes off: airline baggage fees By Michael Martinez Mercury News Don't overpack, or it may cost you. Three weeks after United Airlines said it will begin charging passengers $50 to check in a second bag on round-trip flights, US Airways jumped on board Tuesday and adopted the same policy. You can expect the other big carriers to follow. "By the time Memorial Day hits, all major airlines will be doing it," said Terry Trippler, an airline consultant and travel expert. "They will not pass up that revenue source for the summer." So far, no other carriers have announced changes, and a spokesman for American Airlines said the carrier has not changed its baggage policy. But airlines typically mimic each other when it comes to fare increases, ticket change fees and charging for in-flight meals. Other experts don't expect the trend to end soon. "Airlines have begun to dismantle the product and sell it to customers on an a la carte basis," said Henry Harteveldt, a travel consultant with Forrester Research. "It used to be that all people got the same degree of service and amenities regardless of what they paid for a ticket. But airlines are saying, 'If you value a less expensive seat, you won't get the same amenities as someone who paid more.' "It means you have to do a lot of shopping and not just think through the cost of a ticket. You have to think about all the other things you're going to pay for." US Airways spokeswoman Valerie Wunder said the fee comes partly because of higher fuel costs, but she said it will generate an estimated $75 million in revenue and cost savings each year. United has said the new fee will total more than $100 million in additional revenue. "The main reason we did this was to mitigate costs," Wunder said. "With fuel at $100 a barrel, we needed to realize that reality and do something other than just raise fares." The new luggage fees don't take effect until May 5 on both airlines. US Air's new fees will apply to all tickets purchased as of Tuesday (United's fees were added starting Feb. 4). About 8 percent of US Airways passengers check in more than one bag, Wunder said. Harteveldt said many fliers have already expressed dissatisfaction with added fees and jumped to low-fares carriers that offer no- frills flying. "People aren't happy, and a lot have moved to airlines like JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier, which tend to be more generous" by not charging some fees that larger carriers do, he said. "You actually get a more comprehensive product on Southwest than you get on some of the network airlines." But consumers aren't likely to get aggravated enough to stop flying, said business travel expert Joe Brancatelli. "The only power that passengers have is the power of the purse," he said. "If you keep flying, they'll keep doing this to you. At some point, it stops being the airlines' fault and starts being your fault. You can back away from United and US Air because of their baggage fees, but you'll find something to hate about the other airlines you'll fly." US Air becomes the fourth airline to tweak its baggage policy this year. In January, Southwest Airlines began charging $25 each way for a third checked bag, and Spirit Airlines last week increased its fees for checked luggage -- from $5 to $10 if a ticket is purchased online and $10 to $20 when purchased at the airport. What's next? "The buck-a-soda is just around the corner," Trippler warned. BAGGAGE RULES Some major carriers have added fees for extra baggage, and more are expected to follow. Here's a look at the new rules: WHAT: United and US Airways will charge passengers $50 for a second checked bag on round trips. Southwest charges $25 for a third checked bag. WHEN: Flights starting May 5. United's increase already took effect for ticket purchases; US Air's took effect Tuesday. Southwest's started in January. WHO'S EXEMPT: Certain members of frequent flier programs; first- class fliers; military personnel; unaccompanied minors and customers checking assistive devices. Contact Michael Martinez at mmartinez@... or 408.920.5503. [BATN: See also: United Airlines to charge $25 each way for 2nd checked bag http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BATN/message/37242 As oil prices soar, airlines grow thirstier for new fuels http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BATN/message/37457 ] --- End forwarded message --- <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".