In late August JetBlue announced they would be raising the fees for checked baggage, since then United & Air Canada have both followed that lead and increased fees. We said it was only a matter of time until other airlines raised their fees and that has unfortunately proven to be correct with Delta increasing the fees charged for checked baggage without any warning sometime today.
- First bag: Previously $25 each way, now $30 each way
- Second bag: Previously $35 each way, now $40 each way
There doesn’t seem to be any change to who receives free checked bags, so that’s at least a positive. I understand that airlines are a business and need to make money but when changes like this are made it would be nice to:
- Give consumers some warning
- Announce that changes have been made
I’m sure Delta will release something at some point stating this is to benefit consumers somehow.
Hat tip to OMaaT
It benifits costumers because less people will now check their bag so it will come out faster at the baggage claim… lol.
lol
doubtful. for the folks who dont care abt paying $25 to check a bag, you really think they’ll change their mind over $5 for the convenience. not to mention checking bags isnt usually an option – its usually forced on you. if your bag is just slightly bigger than a carry on, you gotta check it in. no ifs ands or buts about it. so really its not all that optional. the only reason an airline would willy nilly raise prices is when they know they have a captive audience & the incremental revenue is exactly that, just padding the airlines profits.
The size allowed for carry-on is very explicitly stated multiple times during the booking process- no one is forcing passengers to overlook that information and bring a bigger bag that has to be checked.
How do these work on existing reservations? I think consumers have a case to make that they booked under a cheaper advertised rate that should be honored.
They’ll honor the baggage fees that were advertised at the time you booked your ticket. See https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/baggage/before-your-trip/checked/previous-bag-fees.html for full information.
I’m right there with you and will avoid paying a checked bag fee at all cost. I use a gym bag so that it can be compressed to fit on even the smaller regional jets’ overhead compartments.
It is now cheaper to buy an extra seat for your bag when fare sales have $29 fares.
haha…crazy
Good one!
lol cept the whole point of checked bags is they wont let you board the plane w that bag no matter what. even if you buy a seat for your baggage.
lol I love the comment at the end. At least most of us will have one if not two checked bags free
I’m sure their marketing team will put a positive spin on this: Look at the increased savings for AMEX Delta cardholders whose free checked bag allowance is now worth more!