Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
12/06/2008 – United Airlines Adds Baggage Fee : US Airways Takes Its Nickel & Dime Tactics To A Whole New Level!
The nickel-and-dime tactics started by American Airlines and their slide from 'legacy carrier' to 'low cost carrier’ has started a trend among other US based 'legacy carriers.'
As of this morning United Airlines has followed American Airlines' lead and will begin charging US$15 for the first checked bag as of the 18th of August. To make the even more complex, United Airlines now states that this will apply to all tickets purchased after the 13th of June for travel after the 18th of August.......rather than tickets purchased after the 18th of August.
Flying with two bags? Be prepared to pay US$15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag....each way. This means 2 bags will cost you $80 round trip!
United Airlines has a somewhat complex schedule set up for baggage fees. If you're flying United Airlines I suggest reading this baggage fee charge: United Airlines Baggage Information
Keep in mind that baggage fees will not be assessed for international travel on United Airlines.
I have long since detailed the nickel-and-dime tactics of US Airways. While US Airways will also be instituting the $15 first checked bag fee, they are taking the nickel-and-dime game to a whole new level! How is US Airways taking these tactics in a whole new direction? Let me tell you
-US Airways will institute charging for all beverages in-flight in economy class. This means juice, water, coffee, and soda. It is expected this fee will be US$2.00 per beverage.
-US Airways will be raising its alcoholic beverage fee from US$5.00 to US$7.00
-US Airways will be soon be charging a US$25 fee for using you 'miles redemption tickets.'
-US Airways will be assessing a US$35 fee for flights to the Caribbean and Mexico using 'miles redemption tickets.'
-US Airways will be instituting an astounding fee of US$50 for booking flights to Europe and Hawaii when using 'miles redemption tickets.'
-US Airways will be eliminating all bonus miles awarded to 'elite frequent flyers' in its frequent flyer program. (I have to say I saw this one coming, which is one of multiple reasons why I ceased to be a US Airways 'Platinum' frequent flyer')
In an interesting twist, most US based Low Cost Carriers have yet to institute checked baggage fees on the first checked bag. JetBlue now charges for the second checked bag, while Southwest Airlines still allows for two checked bags.
As the divide between legacy carriers continues to blur it turns out that low cost carriers are rapidly offering more to their customers at more affordable rates.
Happy Flying!
Showing posts with label legacy airline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legacy airline. Show all posts
12 June 2008
27 May 2008
Southwest Airlines Addresses The Airline "Nickel & Dime" Game
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
27/05/2008 - Southwest Airlines Addresses The Airline "Nickel & Dime" Game
It's no secret that I like Southwest Airlines. While I tend to only fly Southwest on short-haul and point-to-point flights due to convenience and scheduling, Southwest has fairly consistent policies, (usually) friendly crews and staff, a 'media pre-board' policy and a fantastic on-time record.
When you fly Southwest Airlines you know what you are getting. There is no bait-n-switch. There is no upgrade game, no 'elite lines,' online check in is simple, and while I dislike the airline's new standby policy (and I sincerely hope they change it!) Southwest Airlines has always been the easiest airline to work with as a passenger.
You want pillows, blankets, an in-flight magazine, a soft drink and some pretzels? You've got it! You want an in-flight movie? Bring your own! Worried about an 'equipment swap'? Don't worry, you are guaranteed to end up on a Boeing 737 with a 3-3 seating configuration. .
In a recent television ad produced by Southwest Airlines taking a jab at the legacy airlines, that usually cost more and now offer less-and-less to their flyers, Southwest Airlines has created a very funny commentary.
I've watched the ad a few times and found myself laughing every time. So with the recent discussions about 'legacy airlines' and their growing nickel-and-dime tactics, I wanted to share the new Southwest Airlines ad with the readers of Flying With Fish.
Happy Flying!
--Click Image To Begin Video--
27/05/2008 - Southwest Airlines Addresses The Airline "Nickel & Dime" Game
It's no secret that I like Southwest Airlines. While I tend to only fly Southwest on short-haul and point-to-point flights due to convenience and scheduling, Southwest has fairly consistent policies, (usually) friendly crews and staff, a 'media pre-board' policy and a fantastic on-time record.
When you fly Southwest Airlines you know what you are getting. There is no bait-n-switch. There is no upgrade game, no 'elite lines,' online check in is simple, and while I dislike the airline's new standby policy (and I sincerely hope they change it!) Southwest Airlines has always been the easiest airline to work with as a passenger.
You want pillows, blankets, an in-flight magazine, a soft drink and some pretzels? You've got it! You want an in-flight movie? Bring your own! Worried about an 'equipment swap'? Don't worry, you are guaranteed to end up on a Boeing 737 with a 3-3 seating configuration. .
In a recent television ad produced by Southwest Airlines taking a jab at the legacy airlines, that usually cost more and now offer less-and-less to their flyers, Southwest Airlines has created a very funny commentary.
I've watched the ad a few times and found myself laughing every time. So with the recent discussions about 'legacy airlines' and their growing nickel-and-dime tactics, I wanted to share the new Southwest Airlines ad with the readers of Flying With Fish.
Happy Flying!
--Click Image To Begin Video--
13 May 2008
Summer Airfare Deals Amid Skyrocketing Fuel Cost? Maybe!
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
13/05/2008 - Summer Airfare Deals Amid Skyrocketing Fuel Cost? Maybe!
In the last few months the price of Type A Jet Fuel, much like the cost of the fuel for your car, has sky rocketed. In the wake of these escalating fuel costs we have also witnessed the collapse of multiple airlines and watched the airline industry raise it's airfares industry wide nearly a dozen times this year.
Despite the fact that most airlines have been flying at record capacity due to the reduction of certain routes, the swapping of larger aircraft to smaller aircraft and the consolidation of routes, the backlash against the increasing airfares is now beginning to affect seat sales. As airfares continue to rise, pleasure travelers are shifting their travel plans and business travelers that are the bread-and-butter of airlines are curtailing their travel.
What does this all mean? How is this good for you?
Well, it means that some airlines are starting to ramp up the summer fare sales. In the past few days United Airlines appears to have increased the number of it's 'e-fares' for this week; Delta Airlines has started to push it's 'summer fares'; Air France is offering some great 'last minute' fare specials from the East Coast of the United States to Europe; BMI has some very attractive fares from London Heathrow to the Middle East and Manchester to Las Vegas; JetBlue has lowered some of it’s last minute fares and is offering a “$50 off future travel” promo.
With U.S. 'legacy airlines' seeking to fill their domestic capacity, while simultaneously scaling back their domestic capacity to compete with domestic 'low cost carriers' (LCC) the fare war should heat up this summer to the benefit of the flying publics wallet............at least it's starting to look that way.
Happy Flying!
13/05/2008 - Summer Airfare Deals Amid Skyrocketing Fuel Cost? Maybe!
In the last few months the price of Type A Jet Fuel, much like the cost of the fuel for your car, has sky rocketed. In the wake of these escalating fuel costs we have also witnessed the collapse of multiple airlines and watched the airline industry raise it's airfares industry wide nearly a dozen times this year.
Despite the fact that most airlines have been flying at record capacity due to the reduction of certain routes, the swapping of larger aircraft to smaller aircraft and the consolidation of routes, the backlash against the increasing airfares is now beginning to affect seat sales. As airfares continue to rise, pleasure travelers are shifting their travel plans and business travelers that are the bread-and-butter of airlines are curtailing their travel.
What does this all mean? How is this good for you?
Well, it means that some airlines are starting to ramp up the summer fare sales. In the past few days United Airlines appears to have increased the number of it's 'e-fares' for this week; Delta Airlines has started to push it's 'summer fares'; Air France is offering some great 'last minute' fare specials from the East Coast of the United States to Europe; BMI has some very attractive fares from London Heathrow to the Middle East and Manchester to Las Vegas; JetBlue has lowered some of it’s last minute fares and is offering a “$50 off future travel” promo.
With U.S. 'legacy airlines' seeking to fill their domestic capacity, while simultaneously scaling back their domestic capacity to compete with domestic 'low cost carriers' (LCC) the fare war should heat up this summer to the benefit of the flying publics wallet............at least it's starting to look that way.
Happy Flying!
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