I flew domestic in 2015 SYD-> PER, PER-> SYD with them. Had a Scion bike bag.
Total bike fees for both directions: $0

YMMV

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

Have you read the airline's terms for traveling with sports equipment?

Yes of course. I did this before and after I spoke to the rep. The rep wasn't so sure about the actual policy.

Also I've read people's experiences on other forums and it's different to what the policy is ... so am hoping to get info from ppl who have flown with them recently.

Honestly this is the first time I've heard an airline will accept a bike as part of checked bags and not as an oversized bag (maybe that's an American thing!)

I am in Aus . I pay $35 AUD each way for my bike as a extra baggage with Virgin. I am happy with that. No arguments. Just a friendly Hello . My worst experience was with Emirates on my way to Roth $1200 AUD for excess. I was pretty upset..

What does the sports equipment policy say?

I am an Aus, travel fairly regularly with bike, if it is your only checked in baggage and falls within the regular baggage weight allowance you should be fine. If it is a second piece of checked luggage then you would have to have booked for an extra piece with the required weight. Unless the rules have changed in the last 12 months. Is all pretty sweet here for travelling for sport. We regularly fly to races with hand luggage and a bike bag stuffed with all that we can to keep within the weight criteria, no extra charges. Jestar have just changed their policy though, although their flights don't automatically include any baggage, so the bike is still is cheaper than anywhere else in the world.

I'm in Australia, and flown Virgin with a bike a few times, most recently this month from Canberra to Brisbane return for Hell of the West. And doing so again as part of my flight to Taupo this week. As long as it's under 23kg (domestic flights) then no extra charges.

But I've been fried in the US with that extra handling fee a few times, it's basically (as I understand it) an airport baggage handler's surcharge, no so much an airline charge. That's why it's a surprise and not on any of the ticket info.

All the best.

Adrian

Thanks all for your responses. Just booked my flights so I'm glad to hear that everyone's experiences have been consistently the same, so no surprises at check in. That was not my experience the first time I flew my bike, on United. Counter lady told me it'll be an extra $200 each way! I was mad. But not as mad as if I had to pay $1200 for excess :(