I’m flying Delta to Houston for the Lonestar HIM at the end of the month. I have a box and was just checking out the policies on Delta’s page and am confused.
So here, they state that a bike in a box greater than 62 linear inches qualifies for standard oversize charges…
And here, they state that 62-80 costs $100, and greater than 80 is not permitted.
I spoke with a customer service representative that said the fee was $80 for a bicycle in a case larger than 80 inches but she was unable to direct me to any place that had it in writing.
Has anyone traveled on Delta with a bike in a box larger than 80 linear inches?
It is under their “fragile/bulky items” and has its own section. Gives you the details, then yes says it is part of excess baggage charges. Depending on your agenda and timeline, might also want to look at FedEx and UPS and consider sending to Tri on the Run (post on Slowtwitch) as might be less expensive/less hassle, or at least they can help if need a place closer to course. Lonestar is great race and hope you have a great time in Galveston.
Thats actually one of the links I put in my OP. It does not explain the charges for bikes in boxes greater than 80 inches, hence my question.
I did check out the UPS (159.77) and Fedex (134.71) options and I may end up doing that. When I was looking through old threads I remember reading one where someone said they shipped a bike UPS Ground for $35… that would be ideal, to bad its not the case!
"The other issue at baggage check is the airline regulations surrounding fees for flying bikes. I’ve adopted a “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward the airline’s fees for bike travel, and haven’t paid to fly a bike since 1999.
If a ticket agent asks about the contents of your flight case, you are obliged by federal law to tell them the contents and present it for inspection. Once they learn the contents are a bicycle they may charge you a fee from $65 to $88. International flights usually do not charge for a flight case. The fee depends on the airline, the agent, the proximity of a manger to the counter, the length of the line behind you, the time remaining to your flight and the degree to which that particular counter agent complies with or is familiar with written airline policies.
Based on my experience, the majority of airline ticket agents are either disinterested in the contents of your flight case or do not know the policy on flying bikes. Phoning the airline in advance usually provides a different answer about the flight case policy than you would hear at the ticket counter. As a result, mine has usually gotten on the aircraft and to my destination with no charge for excess baggage.
If you are courteous, present your frequent flyer numbers quickly; inquire about exit row seating, your departure gate, your departure time, and any available upgrades after telling the agent you are checking two bags (your duffel and your flight case) then you will likely be whisked through the check in process without being asked or charged. Take a tip from one of our great Presidents: Don’t ask, don’t tell (unless asked)."
Looks like things are starting to go from bad to worse when you fly with your bike. United and US Airways are going to start charging for any second checked bag up to $100 round trip. I can only imagine what the charge is if that second bag is a bike. So if you have 2 bags and a bike you could be looking at $300 round trip. Which a lot of times you have to, since some airlines won’t even take your bike over a certain weight limit, so you have to put your gear into a second bag…
I’ve flown with mine tons, and they’ll take it…it makes them some extra cash. Just get there early so there’s room in the hold, if it’s a smaller plane. And as of the last few years, most agents are not naiive enough to not know what’s inside. The many times I’ve flown with mine, they =just ask as I approach, “how do you want to pay for the bike?”. And I would NEVER use UPS! They are more expensive, and the horror stories about bikes are incredible. In fact, every time I get a box shipped via UPS it is crushed and beat. I have sworn off using them, as they are so bad now. Another possibility is a srevice to transport it, But I prefer taking it with me…I KNOW where it is. The price is worth the anxiety of not knowing when and if it will show up.
If you are courteous, present your frequent flyer numbers quickly; inquire about exit row seating, your departure gate, your departure time, and any available upgrades after telling the agent you are checking two bags (your duffel and your flight case) then you will likely be whisked through the check in process without being asked or charged. Take a tip from one of our great Presidents: Don’t ask, don’t tell (unless asked)."
Tom,
Great advice. However, I have found this approach used to work. In my recent experience, it does not anymore. EVERY flight that we have taken in the past 2 - 3 years we have had to pay the bike fee. It does not seem to matter what you say, how many points you have, who you know, how good you look, how nice you are, how long or short the line is, how early or late you are or how funny you are, you still pay. It was $80 each way on United to/from Tucson recently!!
My sense at a higher level is the airlines are trying to clamp-down on baggage volume and weight - the more weight in the plane the more fuel it will need and many people travel with a ridiculous amount of luggage. So there is no way these days that they are going to waive the bike fee. Relativly speaking, when we are travalling we don’t have that much by weight, but the bike does take up extra volume and that’s where the airlines justify the fee. The $80 with United was the most I have ever paid. That is starting to get up there - go to 3 - 4 races or training camps a year and you are looking at $640 in extra travel costs just for the bike!!
Edit - For got to mention the kicker in all of this. On the return trip, United lost our bikes and it took them four days to get them back to us in Aurora. Great service for paying an extra $160!! The only good news in this was that it was on the return trip - had it been on the way down to Tucson - that would have wiped out 4 - 5 days of cycling, the main reason that we went down there!!
Haven’t traveled Delta, but it has been my experience with several other airlines that, no matter what, a bike box is “over-sized” luggage. It usually costs $75-$90 to and from the destination.
Not sure about the 80 inches, but I will say that it is worth double-checking. It would suck to get to the airport and not be able to bring your bike.
It sounds like you’re being dilligent and pro-active about finding out. Best of luck, and please, keep us posted.
**So if you have 2 bags and a bike you could be looking at $300 round trip. Which a lot of times you have to, since some airlines won’t even take your bike over a certain weight limit, so you have to put your gear into a second bag… **
My understaning is that it’s the weight they are trying to clamp down on and reduce. More weight in the plane means more fule used in the flight and the airlines are looking at everything to reduce costs. Never overload the bike case. The weight limit for most bags is 50 pounds. We travel a fair amount with bikes and always travel with one bike box and a checked bag with about 35 - 40 pounds in each.
Obviously this would open up a hornets nest, but if the airlines where really serious about weight they would go after and charge accordingly what are the biggest and heaviest things on the plane - the people!! Hopefully, most athletes and triathletes being relativly fit and lean would be eligiable for some savings on this front and perhaps extra allowance for bag weight. But that would be too logical and would as I said result in a firestorm of protestation.
but I would say we still get away not paying more often than not.
You must be good. Clearly you and Tom, have more points, know more people, can tell better stories, look way better and are funnier than I am, cause I am having no luck. Years ago I routinely talked my way out of the bike fee. No more! Must have lost my touch.
****My sense at a higher level is the airlines are trying to clamp-down on baggage volume and weight - the more weight in the plane the more fuel it will need and many people travel with a ridiculous amount of luggage.
I still say that they ought to allot a flat amount of mass that each ticket purchased affords - say something in the neighbourhood of 400lbs (perhaps increasing as your fare class increases). Then you weigh the passenger with all of his or her luggage including carry-on to see if they qualify or if they have to pay extra. The bottom line for fuel efficiency could be easily met, and we wouldn’t all pay a penalty for the family of 300 pounders who bring the kitchen sink along with them on vacation. I’m not exactly a light dude, so this means I have to watch what I carry as well - but it’s patently fair…
Of course, I also think that there should be a chair right next to the “carry on luggage sizing cube” where if you can’t fit your ass into the seat, you have to buy two (or upgrade).
Of course they’ll never do it, because “that would discriminate against fat/heavy people”… but no one’s ever cared about my horrific disgust as the person next to me flows under, over and completely envelops the armrest and half of my seat… Armrests shouldn’t be organic, warm, or sweaty.
This is a bit of an update. The reason I was so concerned is because the box really is huge - 100 linear inches.
I am borrowing this box from my sister who, as it turns out, actually flew with it on Delta to Soma last year (probably should have asked her in the first place but I thought she flew on a different airline).
She said that they charged her on the way out but then forgot on the way back. This is some good news. I’m going to take it on the plane and hope they don’t lose it.
I am flying with bike on American in a couple months, so that is the only airline I have researched…
American has a special category for bikes - $80 each way, not to exceed 70 pounds, and not to exceed 115 inches (length+height+depth)
Otherwise you would pay both oversized (greater than 62in) fee of $50 …AND …
overweight (greater than 50 pounds) fee of $100 = $150 each way.
They are doing you a favor! Hooray for them!
I don’t really mind paying a fee to ensure that my bike will get there - the alternative is ~$130 each way for shipping. I just wish that Delta’s policy’s were a little more transparent.
I’ve spent over an hour on the phone with multiple customer service people and gotten at least 4 different answers. Also, if you look at their website, it says that any piece of luggage that is greater than 80 inches is flat out not permitted. I know for a fact that people have recently flown on Delta flights with a 100 inch case. But there is still the uncertainty that some ticket agent will follow the letter of the law and totally fuck up my weekend.
Living in Atlanta, it’s almost always cheapest for me to fly Delta and usually by a lot. I guess I’m just stuck with it until they can get their act together (if they ever do).
