www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Orbitz sent me 7 emails today saying the same thing....Not sure why they sent seven but here is what it said.

This is an update from OrbitzTLC to let you know that Delta Air Lines plans to begin charging most passengers a $25 fee each time a second bag is checked.

The new fee, which takes effect on May 1, 2008, is not included in your ticket price and can be paid when you check in at the airport.

Delta Medallion members and passengers traveling in first- and business-class cabins will still be allowed to check up to three bags at no additional charge.

Tis the future. Actually, Im quite glad. Maybe it will cut down on having to wait 30 years to get my luggage off the carousel

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

This is mostly a revenue generating tactic.
Unfortunately it's going to create more carry-on luggage as people try to get as much stuff jammed into them to save the extra fees.

I have a feeling the time it will take to get checked luggage won't improve much.

Info from Clark Howard:
http://clarkhoward.com/topics/newslette ... tml#nickel

Survey tidbits on baggage:

-80 percent of flyers have noticed that airlines have become more strict about enforcing the number, weight, or size of carry-on bags
-13 percent did not know that some airlines are beginning to charge a fee for extra bags beyond one check-in bag
-9 percent were unaware that many airlines only allow two carry-on bags

Before you take another flight, check out www.SeatGuru.com for information and links about baggage and TSA regulations and to review just some of the more than 20,000 user comments on airline seats, services, and amenities. SeatGuru also offers more than 300 airline seat maps covering more than 40 airlines with color-coded seating charts to help quickly identify superior seats (those ones you may have to start paying for!).


Nickel & dime news:

It's the year of extra fees and surcharges. So, who plans to implement a new charge -- and for what?!

USAirways will soon launch 'Choice Seats' - a plan that will charge its coach class passengers fees from $5 to $30 for that coveted aisle or window seat. No kidding. If you want that seat toward the front of the aircraft, you must first check-in online and print a boarding pass up to 24 in advance and no less than 90 minutes before scheduled departure. Customers checking in at the airport can also reserve a special seat.

However, preferred members of the Dividend Mileage program (those flying 25,000-plus miles per year) already have access to the choice seats, so not every flight will offer the chance to purchase the more desireable spots onboard.

When available, choice seats will be priced as follows:

$5 on flights of 500 miles or less
$10 on flights of 501 to 1,100 miles
$15 on domestic flights of 1,101 miles or more
$15 to Latin America, the Caribbean and Bermuda
$25 to Hawaii
$30 to Europe

The Choice Seats program begins May 7. Expect other legacy airlines to match soon.

Note: Airlines already charging for desired seating include Allegiant, Northwest and Spirit.
____________

After oil prices topped the $114 mark this week, United Airlines upped the fuel surcharge on domestic flights from $10 per round-trip to $20.

This moves follows one by United that increase base airfares by $4 to $30 per round-trip last week.

Both of these increases may not stick if other airlines don't join in to match. Already during 2008, the legacy airlines have attempted to raise airfares a dozen times, only to have four pulled when the competition declined to play along.

When it all comes down to it though, wouldnt you guys prefer a small hike now, oppose to 75% of the airlines going bankrupt and having no competition?

Id much rather pay 50$ more or whatever for a vacation now, then watch everyone go out of business and American start charging say 700$ for a flight that SHOULD be costing 400$ just because they can.

United fares go up again
US Airways adding a $5 fee for some window, aisle seats
(04-17) 04:00 PDT - --

United Airlines boosted ticket prices for the second time in a week on Wednesday, the same day that oil prices topped $115 a barrel for the first time.
Travelers on some flights, such as Chicago to Minneapolis, who were paying a surcharge of $50 per round trip will now see that charge increase to $70, United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said.
Fliers in markets where United previously did not apply a surcharge - mostly where the carrier competes head-to-head with low-cost carriers - will now be charged an additional $10 per round trip.
United last week raised fares by $4 to $30 per round trip, citing record fuel costs. Other carriers matched that increase. No major airlines immediately matched United's latest increase across their route networks.

The surge in fuel prices has left airlines scrambling to find ways to boost revenue by charging extra, not just for drinks and food, but also for baggage and added legroom.

US Airways says it will begin charging passengers extra for an aisle or window seat on some of its planes.
President Scott Kirby told employees Wednesday in a letter that the carrier needs to find ways to offset high fuel costs that are plaguing the industry.
The new Choice Seats program, which begins May 7, will charge passengers $5 per flight for an aisle or window seat in the first several rows in coach.

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Why Airlines are Nickel and Dime-ing You

Moved to it's own thread.


http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Business ... 928&page=1

Does Delta charge for the extra bag if your final destination is international? In other words, I have a connection in Atlanta (who does not), then heading south..

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