For international flyers travelling to US ... United will charge $200 each way. Air Canada is $50 (with only a slight detour).
Australians got it the best. Virgin Australian will not charge a fee as long as the weight is within the checked baggage allowance. That’s domestic policy I don’t know about their international.
This was my experience in the last few years, things might be different now.
Every time I’ve flown my bike into the US, TSA always leaves a note in my box to say they’ve gone through it. So if you can get them to check it while you’re there, that’d be ideal (luckily no damage to my bike).
This might sound a bit over the top but if you’re travelling somewhere that sells bikes cheaper than where you live .. buy the bike there, take a few training rides, do your race then bring it back. That incurs only one fee instead of a return fee (e.g $200 x 2). ONLY if you’re planning to buy a new bike. I live in a very expensive country so for me, anywhere else is cheaper to shop.
Australians got it the best. Virgin Australian will not charge a fee as long as the weight is within the checked baggage allowance. That’s domestic policy I don’t know about their international.
This was my experience in the last few years, things might be different now.
Every time I’ve flown my bike into the US, TSA always leaves a note in my box to say they’ve gone through it. So if you can get them to check it while you’re there, that’d be ideal (luckily no damage to my bike).
This might sound a bit over the top but if you’re travelling somewhere that sells bikes cheaper than where you live .. buy the bike there, take a few training rides, do your race then bring it back. That incurs only one fee instead of a return fee (e.g $200 x 2). ONLY if you’re planning to buy a new bike. I live in a very expensive country so for me, anywhere else is cheaper to shop.