Is there really any way around airline oversize fees for bikes to Du Nat? I don’t think that Tri Bike transport serves this race do they? It use to be that if you joined cycling federation there were vouchers but I don’t think that is the case anymore?
Thanks!
KK
Yes,
If you’re military on orders and flying American Airlines then you can check your bike box for free:
From AA website: Active U.S. Military personnel are allowed to check three pieces of baggage free of charge. Each checked bag in the free allowance may be up to 62 inches* and weigh up to 50 lbs. Active U.S. Military personnel traveling on orders are allowed one bag in the free allowance up to 100 lbs. and 115 inches. The second and third bag are free of charge up to 50lbs. and 62 inches. Travel orders must be presented when checking the bag. The 70 lb. maximum bag weight limit for Europe and Asia does not apply for U.S. military baggage if traveling on orders. Military ID must be presented. Traveling in uniform is not required.
The one bag up to 115 inches covers most, if not all, bike boxes. Some agents will ask if there is a bike in the box and if you say yes then they will try to charge you. You can talk to a supervisor or tell them that you have clothes and fragile items in the box (along with your bike). I haven’t paid for my bike yet on AA.
You might get lucky and get it on for free. When you check flights a more expensive flight might be the better choice if they have lower baggage fees since your total cost might be lower. There have been several times when my baggage fees have been more then the ticket price.
Just a couple of days ago someone posted a coupon code for free bike on us air for a certain race, but it seemed like it could be used anytime.
i have hypothetically heard that if you have a bike case that doesn’t have bike logos on it or isn’t obviously a bike (i.e. NOT a trico case or bike pro), sometimes you can lie and say it’s a massage table or video equipment or something like that which will sometimes get you out of the fee. but it doesn’t fly in places like denver that see a million bike cases. and, some people are sticklers and will charge you for oversize regardless of what’s in it or what you say is in it. (also if you are trying to pass it off as something else, it’s best not to wear a triathlon finisher’s shirt and some tri-sport visor and compression tights and all that)
if you are flying southwest or jet blue though, they only charge $50 each way.
Just out of curiousity, how much does tribike transport charge (and does this include the shipping back?)
Styrrell
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tribike charges $225 roundtrip, last time I checked. It’s very much worth it if you’re going to a race they support.
Same cost or less than flying, plus you don’t have to pack and unpack the bike.
It’s possible you could try with one of: Pika Packworks, Akona Biospeed, or Bike Pro: soft-sided cases, and smuggle it onboard as an ordinary suitcase. Any of those should come in under 50lbs, in plain unobtrusive black. Since they don’t require the special baggage handling that the big hardsided cases do, my conscience is clear…