As most of you are probably aware by now, many of the U.S. airlines have begun adding various fees and charges above and beyond the listed airfare. This currently includes baggage charges and fuel surcharges.
Baggage Charges: Many airlines have begun charging fees for a second checked bag while others are charging even for your first checked bag. These fees currently range from $15 for the first checked bag to $25 for a second checked bag. This is the one-way fee so double the amount for your round-trip journey. In addition, many of the airlines have become much stricter about enforcing their luggage weight and size restrictions. Overweight or oversize luggage may be subject to shipping charges amounting to $100 or more one-way. Because of these changes, we will make a point of advising you of the particular airline being used for each of our winter trips. We strongly urge you to review that airline’s luggage charges, rules, and restrictions so you won’t be surprised by any additional charges.
Fuel Surcharges: Due to the high cost of gas, most airlines have begun adding a fuel surcharge on top of their ticket price. This fuel surcharge is typically subject to change anytime up until the tickets are issued (participant names given to the airline). For our group trips, this is usually about 30 days prior to our departure date. Our listed trip price includes the current or expected fuel surcharge, however should the airline announce an increase in the fuel surcharge, we of course have no choice but to pass on that additional cost to each participant. Obviously we hope that doesn’t happen but you should be aware of the potential.
Other charges: We cannot predict when or if the airlines may introduce other new and additional charges. If and when they do, again, we’ll have no choice but to forward those charges on to the participants.
Ski/Boot bags: At this time most airlines are still counting ski and boot bags as a single checked bag. However, they may be stricter about counting these as regular bags if you pack anything in the bags other than skis or boots. This could affect you if you normally pack some of your clothes within your ski or boot bag. In that case, each bag could be counted as a separate bag and subject to the subsequent checked luggage charge. While this has been their “official” policy for some time, it has largely been ignored. Whether or not that continues may depend entirely on the individual airline employee you deal with. Keep this in mind when you decide whether to rent skis, pre-ship your skis, or when you pack your skis. Any or all of the charges are of course subject to change. We will do our best to keep you informed whenever changes do occur. We certainly don’t mean to discourage anyone from participating in any of the great trips we have lined up for next year, but we do want everyone to be informed so that there are no surprises. If you have questions, please check the airline’s website or contact the trip leaders for the various trips.
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Airline Information:
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