Almost on que ,USA Today has an article about how the Airlines are going to a fee for service model. The very high bike transportation fees seem to be more based on it being an oversize item than it being a bicycle.Sadly they did not survey all airlines or compare Domestic to International service.Some Airlines even split sports equipment into a small,medium and large category with different charges for each. It also looks like the ''sacred cow'', Golf clubs now are also being charged for. Marc had pointed out the $175 rate for a bike one way on United and if you look at their rate for over sized luggage its $175. Some Airlines want you to reserve space in advance. I think the counter people have a lot of discretion when it comes to charging, so if you show up with a large hardside case vs a Softside you might end up paying more.My experience on VirginAmerica returning from CIRC was I paid $20 additional (checked bag is $15 each) instead of the listed rate of $50.I beleive this was related to my small nylon carrier as I told them it was a bicycle at check in. Gosh how I miss the curbside check in where you could slip the guy a little extra to ignore extra bags etc Please post any further charges and tips to avoid them so they will update what is currently in the archives
BOB FREITAS
packing up in Lake Tahoe, CA USA
Tom Harriman wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> This last week I flew home from France on British Airways, and the
> bike went as one iteam and I was not charged. I reseached this in the
> spring, and BA was the best deal out there.
>
> I hope everyone has a nice summer.
>
> Tom Harriman.
> San francisco, Ca.
>
> > Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:57:30 -0700
> > From: marc.stmartin@earthlink.net
> > To: mdschmidt56@verizon.net; freitas1@pacbell.net
> > CC: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> > Subject: Re: [CR] Airlines and Bikes
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I was quoted by United to carry a bike from SFO to Dulles (Cirque) a
> fee of $175.00 ONE WAY. I ended up shipping with UPS!
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Marc St. Martin
> > Livermore, California
> > USA
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > >From: Mike Schmidt <mdschmidt56@verizon.net>
> > >Sent: Jun 18, 2009 8:49 AM
> > >To: Bob Freitas <freitas1@pacbell.net>
> > >Cc: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > >Subject: Re: [CR] Airlines and Bikes
> > >
> > >In 2007, Alitalia charged me \u20ac300.00 round trip for the bike
> > >compared to Continental charging $190.00 r/t in 2006.
> > >
> > >Mike Schmidt
> > >Millington, New Jersey
> > >Sent from my iPhone
> > >
> > >On Jun 18, 2009, at 11:01 AM, Bob Freitas <freitas1@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > >
> > >> I have been trading Emails with someone who is going
> > >> to L'EROICA this year. He pointed out that Lufthansa and United now
> > >> charge to carry your bike as luggage.
> > >> I know there have been changes with baggage allowances and
> > >> subsequent charges.
> > >> I have flown Lufthansa,British Airways and American to
> > >> Europe in the past and have never paid to take my bike.
> > >> This year I flew back to CIRC on VirginAmerica and
> > >> paid just $15 to ship my bike to DC,the counter person admitted she
> > >> short charged me but let that stand. On the return I was charged $20
> > >> instead of the published $50 so it may be advantageous to have a
> > >> case which does not look like the typical bike box (I have an old
> > >> nylon covered case)
> > >> Anyway I would like to see what others have
> > >> experienced with shipping bikes both nationally and internationally
> > >> with the recent baggage changes
> > >> I just checked with British Airways and see they still accept
> > >> bikes as one suit case
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> BOB FREITAS
> > >> blue skies in
> > >> MILL VALLEY, CA USA