New luggage fees ... is the sky the limit?
American Airlines is the next-to-last major U.S. airline to announce baggage fees for international flights. Coach passengers will soon be charged $100 round-trip for a second suitcase to Europe, India and the Caribbean; but first-class passengers will not pay the fee.
United Airlines is the only remaining big U.S. carrier that doesn’t (yet) charge fees for a second bag to Europe; but industry experts expect they will join the party soon. Why? Simple ‒ because airlines make millions of dollars on luggage fees, and they need the cash.
So, how can you avoid the fee?
Strategy No. 1: Fly by private jet, or fly first class with a commercial airline. This is our favorite option for all the obvious reasons.
Strategy No. 2: Use airline miles to upgrade to first class. Another really good option.
Strategy No. 3: If you can’t fly first class, then book a foreign carrier (they don’t levy the second-bag charge).
Strategy No. 4: Conserving cash? The most thrifty solution is to trade US airline mileage points for coach travel on foreign carriers. Expect to make compromises in your preferred flight dates or schedules to make this happen.
One carrier’s air miles are valid throughout the network of airlines that belong to that airline’s alliance group, listed below. Regional U.S. carriers (too many to list here) that feed into larger airlines often get similar air mile trades. For example, one of our staff uses Alaska Airlines miles to travel on foreign carriers through Alaska’s agreement with American.
The alliance partners are:
STAR ALLIANCE
US Carriers: United Airlines, US Airways
Foreign Carriers: Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, BMI, EgyptAir, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss International Airlines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines
Example: Travel round-trip from North America to Europe in economy on Lufthansa for 50,000 miles. The equivalent travel in first class requires 140,000 United Airlines miles.
ONEWORLD ALLIANCE
US Carrier: American Airlines
Foreign Carriers: British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, JAL Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév, Qantas, Royal Jordanian
Example: Travel round-trip to Europe in economy off-peak or regular economy for 20,000 or 30,000 miles respectively (transatlantic travel only) on British Airways. First class on BA is 125,000 American Airlines miles.
SKYTEAM ALLIANCE
US Carriers: Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines
Foreign Carriers: Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Air France, KLM, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Korean Air
Example: SkyMiles are awarded in only two categories (coach and premium). To travel in coach with Air France, round-trip from North America, requires 60,000 miles in low season, 90,000 miles in medium season, and 125,000 miles in high season. The same travel in premium class costs 100,000 Delta Air Lines miles in low season, 200,000 miles in medium season, and 350,000 miles in high season.
Caveat: The mileage amounts quoted here are from the airline charts as of today, and are provided principally as a basis of comparison. Your specific itinerary, travel date, or airline combination may have wrinkles that require additional points. Or as the airlines always say, everything is subject to change without notice.
‒ Peg Prideaux, CTC
082709
P.S. Strategy No. 5: Pack really, really light. A terrible option for those who like to shop.
P.P.S. UPDATE 09/11/09: As we predicted, United Airlines has added hefty charges for a second suitcase: $100 round-trip for transatlantic travelers; $60 round-trip for Mexico and the Caribbean. Save $5 each way when you book passage for your second bag on the airline’s website, www.united.com.
