Continental is Also Charging $25 for the First Checked Bag

January 12, 2010 at 4:07 PM | by juliana | Comments (3)

We knew it was on the horizon but we didn't think it would happen this fast. But alas, it has. The ~~grinchy~~ folks at Continental have announced today that they have matched Delta's checked baggage fee increase to $25 for the first checked bag.

The complete details are here. It looks like there is no fee for the first checked bags on your international flights, but second bags will be charged $50. And while it does cost less to check-in online, it's a laughable difference—$23 versus $25. Usually, it's $5 less to check-in online. Sigh.

Get ready for some ranting now.

Ok, these fee hikes really have to stop. NOW. Airlines have now raised checked baggage fees for the third time in about a year, not counting the raises for second checked bags and overweight luggage. Remember, how outraged we were to learn that some airlines were charging $15 for the first checked bag? Then we got pissy about the $20 fee and now it begins anew with the $25 fee.

We're starting to think the airlines implementing these fees just don't want to fly passengers any more. They absolutely do not care what we think about them nor do they care if we can afford the baggage fees or not. So we can't help but wonder, is this some sort of sadistic exit strategy by the airlines to just close up shop?

But looking at the short-term, will airlines start charging $30 by June? The answer is most likely.

These implementation of airline fees are absolutely unchecked (pun intended) by any government agency or consumer rights organization and an airline currently has the power to raise it as many times as it likes.

When will it stop? When $50 baggage fees for the first checked bag force everyone to take the train instead? Well, now that Amtrak is about to begin free WiFi, we may just take the train anyways.

Vent your frustration over ridiculous checked baggage fees in comments below.

Related Stories:
· Stop the Insanity: No More Checked Baggage Fees [Jaunted]

[Background photo: Payton Chung]

Comments (3)

Return to » Continental is Also Charging $25 for the First Checked Bag

I laughed when I read your statement: "we can't help but wonder, is this some sort of sadistic exit strategy by the airlines to just close up shop?" It's true. AThese fees are pure madness. The day I pay $25 for a checked bag is the last day I'll fly. My policy: if I can't carry it on, it's not coming on the trip. Period.

It costs the airlines to check in and offload bags becuase they have to hire and overpay union workers to do a job a monkey could do - lift bags. That means it ultimately costs us, the consumers, either supple mentally or already included in the airfare. As a passenger, I'd love that cost thrown out of the equation, out of the fare, no surcharge, and just take care of the bag myself and load it on --- I take much better care of it anyways. Whats sad is that Easyjet in Europe offers the same fee. However for the most part they offer better fares and are a low cost carrier. The nice things about the standard cost (aside from their reliability, alliances, assume your travel risk) was basic things like baggage, drinks, entertainment. Now gradually (seems to me anyways) theyre turning into a more expensive version of a low cost carrier with all the supplemental charges, defeating their own competitive edge...

It time someone puts an end to this Gouging of the public.The airlines need to be stopped and i for one will use jet blue or southwest from now on where bags fly free.Hopefully people will do the same and make them hurt.

Jaunted

Select a Destination:

Checked Baggage Fees / Airline Hell / Airline Fees / Baggage Fees / Travel Rants / Continental / → All Tags