Caught the end of a report on the news last night about certain airlines dropping or reducing the “Fuel Surcharge” that was introduced during last year’s spike in fuel costs.
Has anyone heard similar plans for airlines dropping or reducing the additional shipping and baggage fees that were introduced around the same time, and under the same rationale? Seemed to me there were a tons of ST posts about a variety of airlines increasing their bike shipping fees as fuel costs were rising last year, and it would be great to see these fees rolled back.
Any airline that did that, and that would consistently enforce and charge a fair fee, not the hit-or-miss, never-know-what-they-are-going-to-charge lottery that we have now, would win my business for life. Seriously.
Any airline that did that, and that would consistently enforce and charge a fair fee, not the hit-or-miss, never-know-what-they-are-going-charge lottery that we have now, would win my business for life. Seriously.
I have a 100% hit rate flying out of YYZ, and about 20% flying back. From anywhere. Hear you loud and clear.
If going to Iman races, US Air has free bike pass if booked thru Iman website. The flight costs appear to be as good as any other airline or better. I fly them and have been very happy.
Doubt they will reduce bag fees now that they are actually starting to make some money. Fuel surcharge may come down but I bet they will still keep the ancillary charges in place.
Sunwing Airlines has recently reduced their fee for transporting bicycles from $100 roundtrip to $30 roundtrip. They’re a charter airline flying from many Canadian cities to Caribbean countries and to Florida and Las Vegas. I see you’re in Toronto, so if you’re thinking of taking your bike to warm weather training camp, check out Sunwing.
I think that US Air used to have an agreement with USA cycling for members to get a reduced rate on bike boxes. I haven’t been able to find it for this year’s membership, but you may want to try and bluff your way into a discount!
Another trick that I’ve learned is that if you take your bike box and get it checked at the curb by a sky cap you can sometimes get through with just a $20 tip and a hearty handshake.
I haven’t used any of these in the past year, so I don’t know how the recent economic climate has changed bike shipping, but still some food for thought…
