Travelers, for the time being, can avoid the American Airlines “service charge” for a second bag. The airline has published a list of folk who do not have to pay the extra $25. I suspect, that you’ll have to remind the check-in agent that you are exempt.
All of the major airlines have instituted a $25 charge for the second piece of checked luggage. American Airlines was the last to do so. However, they have now have joined the group effective May 12th.
That date is important, as reported by Cheap Charlie in his blog American Airlines exempts anyone who purchased their airline tickets prior to May 12, 2008.
Family members traveling on the same reservation record with elite frequent flier members also seem to be exempt. That can save a lot of money if each of a four-person family has an extra piece of luggage.
American Airlines will actually have customer service representatives who can help with whether or not the service charge applies. Make sure to ask the check-in agent if you think you don’t have to pay.
The way I look at it, this means most passengers for the next three weeks or so will be exempt from the additional fee since most passengers bought tickets and made reservations weeks ago. Others exempt from the service charge according to Cheap Charlie are:
This is from an American Airlines FAQ page–
Not all customers will be charged a service fee to check a second bag. Exemptions include:
*Customers who purchase First and Business Class tickets
*Customers who purchase tickets in Y, B, and H fare class inventories
*AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum, and Gold members
*ConciergeKey members
*oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby members
*Customers flying in the same reservation record (not applicable to group bookings) as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum, or Gold member, oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire, or Ruby member, or ConciergeKey member regardless of fare type
*Customers originating on AA codeshare flights not operated by American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection on a ticket purchased through American
*Customers connecting to an American flight from another airline, including AA codeshare flights operated by another airline
* Customers traveling on an international itinerary, e.g. points beyond U.S., Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada
*Customers traveling on Government fares
*Military personnel on active duty
*Anytime AAdvantage Award tickets, First and Business Class Award tickets, or First and Business Class upgrades confirmed prior to check-in
I’ll bet, the other airlines have similar rules. Check their Web sites and save yourself $25 or more.
Even Peter Greenberg has been slapped with extra baggage charges. With this information you can beat the system for a while with any ticket bought before May 12th.
