After United Airlines announced a $25 fee for a 2nd checked luggage, it was only a matter of time before other airlines followed suit with similar fee-generating programs. Take out the macro effects caused by rising oil prices such as less flights for unprofitable segments (American is losing 3.3 million a day!) and let’s focus on what this means to your week-to-week flying experience.
I assume as a road warrior, you are traveling pretty light and you do not check in any luggage. In some cases, airlines do not charge flyers who have status so you may think this won’t impact us too much. In most cases it won’t but there are a few cases where it just might.
If you’re late for a flight or somehow fail to board with the first group be prepare to check in your luggage. With the new luggage fees, you can bet the overhead bins will be packed to the rim. This means more time waiting at the baggage claim.
If you need to speak to a customer service representative, you can expect lines to be longer as people are figuring out how to pay for their check-in luggage. Kiosk lines will take a bit longer as people go through the additional step of paying with their credit card.
Let say the airlines lose luggage - you can expect to see more angry customers since they now PAID to have their luggage checked-in when before they did not. Again - expect longer customer service lines.
If you aren’t careful - this $15 fee will cost you more than $15 in time, waiting in lines or at baggage claims. For many of you, the following tips may be redundant, but make sure you’re keeping your travel process streamlined.
Tips to Keep Your Travel Process Efficient
- Print your boarding pass in advance. Buy a printer if you have to. You need to avoid checking in at the airport to avoid the unnecessary lines.
- Give yourself enough time to reach your gate and board with the 1st group - your status won’t save you if you’re boarding with the 2nd group.
- If your flight is delayed or canceled and you need to speak to a customer service representative - call the 1-800 number reserved for flyers with status or call your travel agency. Do not wait in a line or you may miss the seat for the next flight going out.
- Smile and be polite. You’ll stand out among the sea of unhappy flyers and that can make all the difference sometimes.
Flying goes with the territory so take control of the things in your power and keep more time for yourself.