Bargain airfares?

One of my apprehensions about going to the U.S. concerns my check-in luggage.  This has nothing to do with the international flight, as the requirements are pretty set and clear.  What is unsettling are the varying costs one encounters among domestic airlines.  True, one can conveniently go online to search for the cheapest airfare from A to D, but you may take on a Cache 22 hiding behind the alluring bargain. Most common is the status of your check-in luggage.  Airlines like US Airways charge $25.00 for the first luggage, in addition to charges for another check-in piece. Some airlines, I learned, now charge for a confirmed seat. Meaning, it is cheaper to just go buy your ticket as you fly.  Then again, if the flight is full…you will have to wait for the next available flight…or change airline. Pheeew!!!

There are airlines that do not charge for the first check-in luggage, like that time we took Continental from Newark, New Jersey, to Tampa, Florida, for a golden wedding anniversary cruise celebration. Yet, we waited for almost three hours when the flight departure was delayed twice.  We took off towards midnight!  It was a no-frills flight so we made sure we ate at the airport while waiting.  On the way back, we took Jet Blue and still there was a delay in the departure. Understand that my New Jersey-based cousins got our flights as the cheapest finds online at $165.70 Newark-Tampa/$150.70 Tampa-Newark.

Another hassle with US domestic flights is that you have to check-in your luggage yourself.  Due to stringent measures of the US travel trade in workforce utilization, passengers have to DIY all the way.  There is a guide who assists in the procedure, as everything is done through computers, but passengers will have to do it by themselves. When you exceed the requirements, you get out of the line to pay then queue once again. The only other option is to hire a porter.

Recent development reflects that some airlines have increased check-in baggage fee to $40.00! How ridiculous! Anyway, as what I initially cautioned, make sure that the  website offer of the basic fare is “all in”; otherwise, you may be paying for a fuel surcharge – similar to the advertised low rates by local budget airlines that got the government investigating – that increases the cost of the airfare 100% more from the original offer. Caveat emptor – buyer beware!

Idea Works survey reflected $22.6 billion collected by airlines in 2011 as “ancillary revenue” from baggage fees and in-flight food/beverage sales. This shows that airlines get their extra income from other sources than passenger fares. And for Filipino travelers to the US, with our penchant to bring along things that are expendable, be aware that either you travel inland by car, if you have so many things to bring, or you pay the baggage fees imposed by the US airlines.  Notwithstanding the hassle we have to go through – struggling with numerous heavy luggage – during DIY check-in at the airport. It is never worth it!

Travel light and travel wisely…especially in the United States of America.