checked bags

Tag Archives for checked bags.

New American Airlines Bag Check Shortcut: Print Tags Faster, Spend Less Time Waiting In Line

by Gary Leff on November 2, 2024

Nov 02 2024

If I’m checking a bag, I rarely bother checking in online in advance. It just doesn’t save any time. Airline processes are just too cumbersome. There are some airlines in the world that have a ‘just drop the bag and go’ process, but most do not. It really shouldn’t be that hard.

American Airlines has finally made a simple improvement to their bag check process that’s actually a nice time-saver. When you check in online, and opt during that check-in process to check bags, customers can walk up to a kiosk and go right to ‘print bag tags’ rather than walking through a repeat of all of the steps.

American Airlines’ Curbside Check-In Fee: Why You’re Now Paying More For A Service That’s Vanishing

by Gary Leff on October 8, 2024

Oct 08 2024

American Airlines used to offer curbside check-in. It still exists at some airports, but it now costs a separate fee for each bag. They got rid of the sky caps who used to do the job, and now it’s a low wage separate entity providing the service at most airports where it remains available.

Southwest Airlines Faces Critical Decision: Ending ‘Bags Fly Free’—Could It Sink The Business?

by Gary Leff on August 22, 2024

Aug 22 2024

Southwest Airlines is beginning redeye flights. They’re working on premium seating and assigned seats. They’ve been slow in most of their new efforts, and are being dragged into change faster by an activist investor. But some of what’s under consideration could do real damage to the Southwest brand and the multiples that their stock has been able to achieve – and alienate customers who are fanatically loyal.

Cost-Cutting Chaos: New American Airlines Standby Rules and IT Glitches Leave Loyal Flyers Stranded

by Gary Leff on August 4, 2024

Aug 04 2024

Since current US Airways management took over, standby policies have been broken. They’ve been more focused on making sure customers don’t get a good deal with standby, potentially saving money, than on making sure customers get where they’re going. And they’re far less generous than Delta and United here.

How American Airlines Is Dramatically Cutting Down Bag Check-in Wait Times With New Kiosk Strategy

by Gary Leff on April 23, 2024

Apr 23 2024

American is encouraging customers to prepay for bags with a discount (of course you may wind up prepaying bags and then not checking as many – overpaying for your bags)

Another way they’re encouraging this is speeding up bag drop for prepaid bags. You can just scan your boarding pass and out will pop the bag tags. Much faster than the current process!

Delta Air Lines Ending Checked Baggage Guarantee Program Next Month

by Gary Leff on February 27, 2024

When asked about an upcoming elimination of the checked baggage guarantee, a Delta Air Lines spokesperson responded simply, “We have not made any announcement about a change to our program.” (I said in response, “well, if you’d made an announcement I wouldn’t be asking!”)

New Airline Hassle: Now You’re Expected To Tip For Return Of Your Lost Luggage

by Gary Leff on January 6, 2024

Jan 06 2024

Shouldn’t the airline cover the tip? They’re the ones who lost your luggage, all costs of returning it to you should be on them. You pay an airline to check a bag. They’re supposed to deliver it to you at baggage claim after your flight in exchange for the money. They don’t have to refund you when they fail to do so.

When they finally find your bag, and set it up for delivery, and it shows up at your house or hotel you find this: a code to Venmo a tip?

Woman Makes Boyfriend Give Up Shirt At The Airport To Protect Her Carry On Bag

by Gary Leff on July 12, 2023

Jul 12 2023

A woman is being roasted online after sharing that she was forced to gate check her carry on bag on an Aeromexico flight from Mexico to California – so she made her boyfriend “give up his shirt” so she could use it as a wrapping for the bag.

To her, the $200 Shay Michell’s BEIS carry on was worth preserving at the expense of his wardrobe.

Viral Video Shows Louis Vuitton Carry On Bag – After Delta Promises It Won’t Get Damaged

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2023

Feb 06 2023

A viral video shows Delta Air Lines requiring a carry on bag to be checked at the gate – promising that if the bag is damaged the airline is responsible for that. The bag comes back with scuff marks.

This highlights the difference between what an airline considers damage and mere everyday use. However the traveler is particularly put out by the scuff marks because this is a Louis Vuitton bag and that’s no longer pristine.

US Airlines Lose $160 Million A Year On Lost Luggage

by Gary Leff on November 13, 2022

Nov 13 2022

The month before the pandemic American Airlines lost 75,000 checked bags. Incoming CEO Robert Isom told an internal group of American employees just after that that “every lost bag is nearly $60.”