I see that if you book you flight thru US Airways and use the code - IRONMAN01, you can ship your bike for free. http://www.floridahalfironman.com/aircar.php
Has anyone used this discount code? Is there any stipulations on size and/or weight?
I am looking for the safest and cheapest way to get my bike down there.
Yes, I’ve used it several times and it is GREAT! I usually fly with a very fully packed (about 70 lbs) “Trico” Ironcase as well as a fairly large “Tri-all-3” 3-wheel carrier. No problems at all, and the agents at the check-in counter have never even questioned the weight or anything. If you are flying to an airport that US Airways services, this is basically an unbeatable deal.
Used it for Lake Placid twice,GREAT savings.
Anyone know if this works on US Airways if you are not going to an Ironman race - say traveling on US Airways with your bike to another event or location?
wow…fantastic deal! This should be on the ST front page, lol. If I ever fly to a race I’ll pounce.
plus the have the Pilot of the year (or the century) in their roster.
Coming back from IMAZ last April they were a little less lenient and were weighing boxes etc. I ended up having to move some stuff around in my luggage to avoid paying anything.
They were also making some folks pay who had a bike box and two pieces of checked luggage. This was before all the airlines started charging for a second bag. In pheonix they were telling people that the certificate was good for the bike to fly free as one of the two pieces of luggage you were allowed.
I think since phoenix is their hub and they sponsored the race there their agents were a little better informed on what the rules were and were following them.
ok, dumb question…
If I click through the link on that page, is the eCertificate already applied?
Ok, you got me! I’m guilty! and admitting it in a public space!
Last year I reserved my tickets to Louisville through the NAS/Usairways site and printed the bike fly free coupon, and my bike flew free to and from Louisville for IMKfc. I felt bad since the promotions is supposed to be only for NAS events but, then on the other hand it also says Ironman races in North America, and last time I checked Louisville, Ky. was in North America…
It was great, my bike box had everything inside, and I paid $0. It was cool, my apologies to usairways and nas for cheating… or should I say interpreting the rules my way (the “**Ironman races in North America” **legend).
Used it last year and worked great !
So I book my flight thru US Airways and apply the code. then print the coupon and present it to the baggage check? It sounds so simple.
believe me it was that simple! they mail you the coupon, so it takes like one or two days for them to email it. But other than that yes. Oh and the fares are a hair cheaper on the NAS/USairways site!
But you must reserve and purchase your tickets through the NAS/USairways site:
Go to http://www.usairways.com/awa/booking/TripDetail.aspx?book=new, and enter eCertificate IRONMAN01 to get this special deal.
There is no other way to do it.
I flew from Germany to Maui last December and after only **5 **days my luggage also arrived there.
Great job - thanks US Airways.
Frank
.
In the past, you had to book through the NAS website, looks like this year you book directly with US Air.
US Air rules: Free bike shipping up to 50 lbs. Over 50 lbs. they can charge 80-100 USD. In recent years, they’ve strictly enforced this (at least for me out of MSP and SEA).
I used to put everything in my bike case, now I’ll limit it to 50 lbs, and pay 25 USD for an extra checked bag.
They’re the hometown airline and I still refer to them as US Err.
When they were America West, they were called America Worst.
Check the on-time arrival and customer complaint numbers.
Nearly always BOP.
-Jot
Is this certificate valid for any travel date??? Not just am IM or is it restricted to IM??? I’ve tried to look up the terms and conditions but can’t find a link to that. Thanks!
here is where i found the coupon. http://www.floridahalfironman.com/aircar.php
on a side note, I did some research and found out that if you fly southwest the most it would cost you to bring your bike is 100 each way. The break down being $50 for over 50lbs. and $50 for over 62"(length+width+height).
Great deal and will give it a try !
Captdav1
here is where i found the coupon. http://www.floridahalfironman.com/aircar.php
on a side note, I did some research and found out that if you fly southwest the most it would cost you to bring your bike is 100 each way. The break down being $50 for over 50lbs. and $50 for over 62"(length+width+height).
Southwest charges a flat fee of $50 each way for a bike/case. It’s under the baggage rules for sporting equipment. They have never double-dipped me on bike charges like I hear other airlines do. Have flown my bike with SW at least 7 times. Not sure if there is a weight restriction…mine usually runs about 55-60 lbs when I have all my other stuff in there with the bike (or just under 50 lbs if I don’t load up the case with extras).