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Posted by Evelyn Kanter Mar 8, 2007 |
That's the spirit -- lower your fares and charge us more for everything else but the seat.
Spirit Airlines has made a name for itself as a low-cost carrier, a favorite of budget-minded travelers --adventure travelers, family reunion travelers, going home to visit the family from college travelers, etc.
Now, the Ft. Lauderdale based airline is making a new name for itself as the first carrier to make passengers pay extra for everything except the actual seat. Want a soda or a cup of coffee? That will be one dollar, please. Want to check a suicase? That will be $5, please -- if you do it online, and $10 if you do it at the airport.
On Tuesday, March 6, Spirit Airlines issued a press release trumpeting up to 40% reduction in fares. Yaay! Super-terrific, just in time for spring and summer travel. What wonderful news for all of us! Its press release touts the discounts as "outstanding low fares". Yes, agreed.
However, buried in the very last paragraph of this wonderful news was a sentence about new add-on charges that wipe out some of the bargain -- and just may wipe out some of our good spirit feelings about this low-cost carrier.
This is the last paragraph:
"For all new reservations for travel after June 19, 2007 customers will be given the allowance of one carry-on bag with the option to check additional bags for a fee." End of press release.
We all know how important it is to pack light, because suitcases somehow get heavier each day of a trip. So, carry on with carry-on. Or, pack one large bag rather than two smaller ones, to avoid paying double.
It's not only Spirit Airlines is nickel-and-diming us. United Airlines now has a $1 per bag fee to check luggage with the curbside skycap at the Denver Airport. That's over and above the $1 per bag tip. Last month I paid up, rather than drag my skis and another bag to and through the long line at inside check-in. But, at least, United isn't charging me above and beyond the ticket price to check my bags. Yet.
Airlines long have charged passengers for extra bags, oversized bags, or for total weight that is over the allowable limit per passenger. This is different.
Airlines play a game of 'follow the leader'. One stops serving food, others follow. Again, this is different, and let's hope other airlines don't catch the spirit of charging for checking bags.