Touring - Awful airline fees for bikes

I am planning a long awaited trip to Italy for September 2009. I'm excited but it's been tempered by my frustration with airline policies. It seems most airlines have upped their fees for bicycles each year, with Delta currently topping the list at a whopping $300 per bike - that's $600 round trip - for international flights. Because the fee is not paid til check-in I can either roll the dice with the fee or roll the dice with a late reservation. On top of it most say they are not liable for pretty much anything having to do with delay or damage and do not allow additional coverage for bikes.

I'm feeling pretty powerless but I did dash off a letter to Delta indicating that they will henceforth be the carrier of last resort for my family and anyone I know who asks. I would have booked a flight with them for my trip (total cost before the bike fee of $669) but for their bicycle fee - now they have lost any business I might have considered with them.

Any thought on what kind of action could change this horrible environment?

Where are you flying from? Is UsAirways an option? They still have "reasonable" rates the last I checked.


I have a feeling that airlines just don't want to haul bicycles.

I think Delta has made a decision that they don't want to hassle with bulky items like bicycles so they have priced such items accordingly. Obviously that is their choice and there remains plenty of passengers for whom that policy will be irrelevant.

For those of us potentially affected, I think the letter you sent is the second best thing you can do to alert Delta to your thoughts regarding the matter. The best thing you can do is cancel your flight with them (even if there is a modest cancellation fee), and simultaneously write another letter informing them of your action and why you took that action.

You quote a price of $669; is that departing from NY, NY? Air Canada has round trip fare at $600 (see Expedia.com) and they charge $50 (one-way) for a bicycle. Air Canada looks promising assuming their handling of bicycles is adequate (I'm about to post here on the touring forum a question addressing that issue).

I'm leaving from Syracuse, NY. As I have limited time for my trip I have to travel from here. I did not book the flight, as I checked the bike policy first. I actually had pinpointed US Airways initially, but had started to look at other options when the price on several sites took a nosedive.

Right now my least expensive option with bike is looking at about the $1100 range. It seems I either pay higher flight fees or higher bike fees. I have no assurance right now that US Air won't raise their rates before I leave, after I've already purchased a ticket. As my budget is limited as well I'm feeling stuck at the moment. The discount fares available issue a credit, not a refund of any type.

I'm going to try to be creative about getting around this problem and will post if I find a good solution.

I just sent them an email. Don't think it will make much difference but.............. you never know.

Do you think you can get over to NYC (JFK) to take a plane? Aer Lingus has flights from NYC to milan for $713, and they do not charge for bikes.

They also fly to naples from NYC so that is an option too. For some reason on their site they only show syracuse to dublin......

I see that you could take amtrak, but it adds an extra 5 hours to your total travel time. If you have a friend in NYC to stay with for a night then it might make that option more attractive. If you do decide to go with aer lingus be sure to call in order to buy your ticket as it is required to reserve your bicycle's space on the plane.

Do you think you can get over to NYC (JFK) to take a plane? Aer Lingus has flights from NYC to milan for $713, and they do not charge for bikes.

They also fly to naples from NYC so that is an option too. For some reason on their site they only show syracuse to dublin......


Yeah same from Pittsburgh right now. Sounds very tempting.

Airlines are getting increasingly nasty with their ticketing policies.. Don't expect any consideration for family emergencies , should you need to change your reservations.. My Mom just feel and I had to change my flights to attend to her problems.. I had to either pay 2400 dollars for a one way fare or delay my return 10 days and buy another set of tickets. So I had to purchase four tickets for two flights. That cost me only an extra cool 1100 dollars. You can purchase tickets that allow changes , but that will cost you an extra 300 dollars plus a 200 dollar reservation fee should you change. So they more or less got you by the short hairs..
About bikes. I find most EU airlines are more reasonalble with their bike policies. Some still consider bikes the same as regular luggage. I've been so burned by Delta a couple times, I do not even consider them last resort.
This is what elimination of competition gives us folks.

Happy to have Air Transat (http://www.airtransat.ca/en/Home.aspx), which only charges "CA$30 per flight segment" (http://www.airtransat.ca/en/Info/what-you-can-bring.aspx?ExitID=25&ContentType=voyageur) for bikes.

This is not however as as good as it was. My bike travelled free to UK in '07 on Transat. One of their other carriers -- Sky Service (http://media.exitravel.com/airtransat/popup/sky_en.html) -- still carries bikes gratis, while another, Thomas Cook, charges CA$95

If they want to boycott bicycles, boycott anti-bicycle airlines.

If you have a friend in Europe, check into having your bike sent to his/her house. It may be a cheap way to get it there or try hooking up with someone who is in the military going to Europe for some time. Perhaps that person can take the bike for you?

I opened discussion about the issue more than my circumstances. I have looked at other options and only leaving from the Syracuse airport will allow me to have even the minimal time I want to be in Italy (I will only have 8 days actually there). I can afford the lowest price I have found a a bit more if fees are raised slightly, so I will be able to go in any case. I just resent the policies, esp as excess baggage that is a bulky in volume and a lot heavier travels cheaper than a bike.

Ultimately the airlines do it because they can. A small group like persons taking bikes overseas has limited options - the airlines will all tend to raise rates because you have to take one of them to get where you are going.

Try not to fly with a US airline if possible.

I'd post a link to a site that gives all sorts of airline charges for bicycles but I'm not on my own computer right now ... do a search for airline in this forum and you'll probably find a post by me with that site.


Here you are ...

Read the following article over regarding regulations for bicycles on airlines ... it's stuff you may need to know:
http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

Try not to fly with a US airline if possible.

I don't think the data you provided supports that recommendation; some of the US airlines were high, but some of the non-US airlines were, too.

I think you meant to say, pick the airline with the most reasonable charges for the trip you want. US airlines aren't always the worst option.

By the way, to the OP - Delta's price appears to me to be a unrealistic price.

I would assume that they aren't charging $300 because they think cyclists can afford it - they are charging $300 so we go away. They'd rather sell a more expensive flight to a business traveler than sell a discount seat to a cyclist and deal with the expense and hassle of dealing with a bicycle. By canceling your flight with them you did the right thing. I hope you find a better solution for your trip.

British airways doesn't charge for bikes, as they are classified as "sporting equipment" and are also separate from your usual baggage allowance.
I just booked a ticket last week from philly to lisbon, and asked the representative specifically about shipping bikes, they said it was free.

Air NZ are still decent about bikes. They can be included in your luggage allowance as one piece. Going between NZ and the US you get 2 pieces, with a total allowance of 46kg.

Try not to fly with a US airline if possible.


http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

not that I have a prejudice against US airlines. But, I do their cost and service.. In particular their service. They as of yet have not surpassed Ryan Air in considering charges for use of their toilets. But, they come close.. 3 dollar bottles of water as an example..
.. Cyclists do have some recourse. Maybe. Have we contacted the likes of the League of American Bicyclists and see what collective pressure we can put on Delta. ?.. Might not hurt.. There are a couple million of us. There is strength in numbers..?..

I don't think the data you provided supports that recommendation; some of the US airlines were high, but some of the non-US airlines were, too.

I think you meant to say, pick the airline with the most reasonable charges for the trip you want. US airlines aren't always the worst option.



Agreed. I am tired of people trashing U.S. carriers and their charges when there are plenty of foreign carriers with the same or even higher charges. In Pittsburgh, for most destinations, there are few carriers (BA may be the only one) that do not charge to transport your bike.


And the website Machka refers is here (http://www.bikeaccess.net/bikeaccess/). I have found it to be woefully out of date and I would not trust what you read there.

If you have a friend in Europe, check into having your bike sent to his/her house. It may be a cheap way to get it there or try hooking up with someone who is in the military going to Europe for some time. Perhaps that person can take the bike for you?

Incorrect. It will cost around $300 each way to ship your bike FedEx. You could possibly find a container ship to haul your bike that might not cost much, if you don't mind a huge hassle with arranging shipping and put up with the bike being tied up forever.

And both methods involve a lot of hassles with customs.


The military might be an option if you are lucky enough to know someone.

It is true that avoidin US airlines is not the simple answer. Air Italia charges $150 Euro - almost $200 US. I'm also familiar with the site listed above. It's a good starting point but the charges for bikes are a moving target, and even the published charges may be less or more that what one is actually charged at the gate.

British airways doesn't charge for bikes, as they are classified as "sporting equipment" and are also separate from your usual baggage allowance.
I just booked a ticket last week from philly to lisbon, and asked the representative specifically about shipping bikes, they said it was free.

It's true that British Airways doesn't charge for bikes or a lot of other sporting equipment, but flying to Italy from the US on BA frequently means changing planes AND airports in London. I took BA from Denver to Sicily last year and ended up cycling from Heathrow to Gatwick and spending a night in the UK. The good news was that I got to spend a night in one of my favorite youth hostels (Tanner's Hatch), and cycling out of Heathrow was a fun way to deal with jet lag, but changing airports like that would eat up a big chunk of the OP's vacation time.

Cny-bikeman, is driving to NYC or Boston and leaving your car there not an option? You might get a wider range of flight options that way.

^.. Markf.. It's not B/A's fault about the need to change planes in London.. That's the operating rules as of now.. Unless the airline is based in that country , in order to use the same airline to go elsewhere; you must first land at it's home base.. I sort of hate changing planes in route to some where else, because that complicates having the bike placed correctly onto your on-going flight. And few airlines will pay you what your sports equiptment should they loose it.

Cny-bikeman, is driving to NYC or Boston and leaving your car there not an option? You might get a wider range of flight options that way.

Not really - 5+ hour drive, gas, tolls and more expensive parking. Funny thing is the prices and options aren't significantly better out of NYC. Again, I've made my decision to leave from Syracuse, just wanted to discuss the issue. Still waiting to see if I get any response from my feedback to Delta.

^.. Markf.. It's not B/A's fault about the need to change planes in London.. That's the operating rules as of now.. Unless the airline is based in that country , in order to use the same airline to go elsewhere; you must first land at it's home base.. I sort of hate changing planes in route to some where else, because that complicates having the bike placed correctly onto your on-going flight. And few airlines will pay you what your sports equiptment should they loose it.

I'm not finding fault with BA, simply pointing out a fact of life about doing business with them. Changing planes is manageable, changing airports creates enormous potential for delays and missed flights.

Markf. Why did you bike between the two airports. Could not the shuttle bus accommodate your bike. Or you commuted just because you wanted to..

Markf. Why did you bike between the two airports. Could not the shuttle bus accommodate your bike. Or you commuted just because you wanted to..

Good point. Because this would take an extra bike build and another bike packing, yuck!. Unless Markf was lucky enough to be able to have the bike rolled onto the plane without packing.

Markf. Why did you bike between the two airports. Could not the shuttle bus accommodate your bike. Or you commuted just because you wanted to..

It seems to me I asked about transporting my bicycle between Heathrow and Gatwick in 2003 when I was headed for Paris, and there was a great deal of difficulty involved. I ended up doing something else. Shuttles are sometimes reluctant to take boxes as large as a bicycle, especially if there are a lot of passengers ... I've encountered that in a few places.

I did roll the bike onto the plane without packing, just turned the handlebars sideways, took off the pedals and lights and lowered the saddle. BA supplied a big plastic bag at DIA. I don't know about the bus between Heathrow and Gatwick, but the train into London and back out to Gatwick probably would have taken the bike during off peak hours. Trains and buses around London can be horribly crowded, even if I had been allowed to bring the bike on. I've also heard some horror stories about traffic jams on the motorway between Heathrow and Gatwick, British roads are very crowded and it doesn't take much to create total gridlock in a hurry. The best parts of the ride were really pretty, lightly traveled roads in Surrey. The worst parts of the ride were crowded roads that were still safe to ride on, or had a cycle path. Like I said, I spent a night in the UK between flights, no way would I try to change airports in London without an overnight between flights.

Cycling to and from the airport remains my preferred way to start a tour if I can do it, a little exercise before and after the flight is a good thing. You can just about always find a quiet corner to prep the bike, and I've had some good conversations with fellow cyclists that way. More and more airports have bike routes into and out of the main terminal, just look on the airport's website.

GOOD NEWS for cyclists! Although it is not clearly reflected in American Airline's website, bicycles are free if within the baggage allowance, irrespective of size! In other words you can take one carry on, one checked bag and a bicycle as your second checked bag, all at no charge. What the website says is that bikes are "$100 in addition to the applicable checked baggage charge, based on the number of checked bags." Turns out that means you pay the $100 only if you check 2 bags in addition to the bike. I called 2 reps and then asked a Customer service supervisor to confirm this.

AA is the cyclist's friend!

Italy is now $200 cheaper, and I'm happy to recommend American

^^ This is fantastic news! (provided that AA's ticket prices aren't $200 more than Delta or other higher-bike-priced airlines, I guess). I'm especially interested in the Italy connection, because my husband and I are in Italy at the moment and are trying to figure out whether to bring back to the U.S. the bikes we are riding here. So I'll be looking into this for sure--gotta figure out who AA's partner carrier is in Italy, and if it matters that we are booking a one-way trip from Italy to the U.S.

Thanks for this info! :thumb:

^^ This is fantastic news! (provided that AA's ticket prices aren't $200 more than Delta or other higher-bike-priced airlines, I guess). I'm especially interested in the Italy connection, because my husband and I are in Italy at the moment and are trying to figure out whether to bring back to the U.S. the bikes we are riding here. So I'll be looking into this for sure--gotta figure out who AA's partner carrier is in Italy, and if it matters that we are booking a one-way trip from Italy to the U.S.

Thanks for this info! :thumb:

You do have to be careful about which AA flight you take, as Alitalia is a partner, and they charge the equivalent of $200 US each way.

GOOD NEWS for cyclists! Although it is not clearly reflected in American Airline's website, bicycles are free if within the baggage allowance, irrespective of size! In other words you can take one carry on, one checked bag and a bicycle as your second checked bag, all at no charge. What the website says is that bikes are "$100 in addition to the applicable checked baggage charge, based on the number of checked bags." Turns out that means you pay the $100 only if you check 2 bags in addition to the bike. I called 2 reps and then asked a Customer service supervisor to confirm this.

AA is the cyclist's friend!

Italy is now $200 cheaper, and I'm happy to recommend American

Hmm...I'm a bit too wise (or cynical, or both) to belief it.

If/when you buy the ticket from AA, could you confirm back that this is also how they interpreted it?

If you call and ask, make sure to get their name and record the date and time of the call. Also, print a copy of the policy, the day you purchase your ticket, before they change it on the website. We've read too many times on this forum that the interpretation of policies at the ticket counter is different than what the website says.

Hmm...I'm a bit too wise (or cynical, or both) to belief it.

If/when you buy the ticket from AA, could you confirm back that this is also how they interpreted it?

If you call and ask, make sure to get their name and record the date and time of the call. Also, print a copy of the policy, the day you purchase your ticket, before they change it on the website. We've read too many times on this forum that the interpretation of policies at the ticket counter is different than what the website says.

I have confirmed with two reps and one supervisor and I am now sending an email asking for confirmation so I will have it in writing. Printing a copy of the policy on the website is not helpful due to the poor wording. Apparently they have a guide in which the policy is more clear. I will indeed post any further info I get. Worst case of pay $100 each way I'm still in the ball park of other carriers with their fees added, and way below places like Delta ($300 each way).

Well, I now have it in writing, and plan to take a copy of the email below with me when I check in my bicycle!

May 8, 2009

Dear Mr. ....

Thank you for contacting Customer Relations. We welcome the opportunity to respond to your concerns.
Currently, when traveling between the United States/Canada/U.S. Virgin Islands/ Puerto Rico and Italy, one bicycle will be accepted in place of one 62 inch bag at no additional charge within the baggage allowance regardless of the actual dimensions of the bicycle.
Please note however, that international baggage allowances vary by destination, so we strongly recommend to contact your travel agent or our reservations personnel to verify baggage restrictions for any particular itinerary you have planned.
Mr. ..., we hope this information helps. We look forward to welcoming you and your bicycle aboard soon.



Sincerely, Tania L. Duggan
Customer Relations
American Airlines

I would question the IBF information found here http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm only because I am aware of one of the airlines that it lists as free, China Air, is definitely not free.

I was traveling, by myself, with two bicycles in boxes. My Chinese GF was not able to go with me at that time. At Zhengzhou I was charged an extra 100RMB per box, which was reasonable (but not free) for the leg to Beijing.

Then, I got to Beijing to continue to San Francisco and my GF was not longer with me. I got to the baggage check in and the woman there made a call (her phone conversations were too fast for me to really follow, my Chinese is not great) and I was told that it would cost 1000RMB.

I said, “fine,” and reached for my wallet.

She then appeared surprised and said to wait. She then called back and after a short conversation told me, “each.”

I said, “fine,” and again reached for my wallet.

This again surprised her and she made another call, this tome she told me that there would also be an additional size and weight fee, when I asked how much she called again and told me 3,500RMB.

As we still had not exceeded the replacement cost of the bicycles, I was prepared to pay that. Of course after another call she added, “each.”

Then, seeing that I was still considering paying the fee, she called again and told me that there would be an additional bicycle fee of 1,000each.

At that point I walked away from them. It was obvious to me that if I had agreed to pay that amount there would have been another phone call and another charge until I did abandon them.

Oh, I did check the CA website and it said if hey were boxed (they were) that they would fly free in the place of piece of luggage. As far as I am concerned, they were stolen.

My GF was not to consoling as she had a, “I told you so tone,” when I explained what had happened. She had told me before I left that the things on the webpage are not correct. An official of the airline must both write it AND say it for it to be a contract.

Like I said, I write them off to “stolen.” However, the IBF list is not correct, at least not about China Air

However, the IBF list is not correct, at least not about China Air

Write to them and tell them your story.

With a $600 fee for traveling with a bicycle, I would just stick my pedals and a Brooks seat in my bag and buy a bicycle there. You could then strip the parts off of it (stick the fork in your bag) and leave the frame at the recycling center...

I would question the IBF information found here http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm only because I am aware of one of the airlines that it lists as free, China Air, is definitely not free.

We flew China Airlines from LA > Taipei > Bangkok and had no extra charges.

Before booking the ticket I called and spoke with the ground staff supervisor at LAX to confirm the fact that bikes fly free. She was kind enough to email me a copy of an internal document listing their sports equipment policy so that I could present it to ground staff in case of a problem.

On the way home we flew with Air China (a different airline) Singapore > Beijing > LAX. They did not want the bikes to be boxed and did not charge extra.

China Air is Taiwanese. Air China is Chinese. Is it possible you were on Air China and they charged you because the bikes were boxed?

I

In the past, when I checked my bike, instead of saying it was a bicycle I said it was workout equipment and i was charged the lower $50.00 dollar extra luggage fee, rather than the $150.00 bicycle fee. Just made sure the box was well taped up, (not sure if you can still get away with that today). However, the crappy bandage handlers still tried to steel my bike after my return flight to LAX.

In the past, when I checked my bike, instead of saying it was a bicycle I said it was workout equipment and i was charged the lower $50.00 dollar extra luggage fee, rather than the $150.00 bicycle fee. Just made sure the box was well taped up, (not sure if you can still get away with that today). However, the crappy bandage handlers still tried to steel my bike after my return flight to LAX.


They run the bicycle boxes through the X-ray machines now, and you can clearly see it is indeed a bicycle. I've looked at my bicycle on the monitor.

Also from my experience, when I've rolled up to the counter with my bicycle in whatever cardboard box I'm using, the ticket agent doesn't ask, "Is that a bicycle?" or "What is that?" but rather, "What type of bicycle is that?" and "Are you planning to do some cycling at your destination?"

Well the ticket agent does not see the Xray but I would not be lying or even telling half the truth about anything these days.

If you look at baggage policies of most airlines, the charge is for over sized / overweight baggage and they are not specifically targeting bicycles. In fact, in the past, you were better off to say it was a bicycle for international flights because the bike would fly for free while there would be a charge for a box of widgets of the same size and weight.

We flew China Airlines from LA > Taipei > Bangkok and had no extra charges.

Before booking the ticket I called and spoke with the ground staff supervisor at LAX to confirm the fact that bikes fly free. She was kind enough to email me a copy of an internal document listing their sports equipment policy so that I could present it to ground staff in case of a problem.

On the way home we flew with Air China (a different airline) Singapore > Beijing > LAX. They did not want the bikes to be boxed and did not charge extra.

China Air is Taiwanese. Air China is Chinese. Is it possible you were on Air China and they charged you because the bikes were boxed?

I

No, I think the charges were basically phoney and the woman working there just wanted a couple of bicycles to sell. The instructions on the website says that they are to be boxed. And you are right, a quick check shows that it was Air China (CA does not have a route form Zhengzhou to Beijing and the whole flight was with the same carrier).

My father was a bit surprised when I got to SFO because he had been told that I was bringing a couple of bicycles; so, he had driven down there in his PU to get me and them... of course I didn't have them. On the other hand, my GF was not in the slightest bit surprised. The next time I flew out of P.R. China she stayed with me the whole time and I had no trouble.

Well the ticket agent does not see the Xray but I would not be lying or even telling half the truth about anything these days.




In the Sydney airport, just prior to my flight back to Vancouver in February 2008 ... when I arrived at the ticket agent, she called a guy over who took my bicycle away to the X-ray machine and to be weighed and measured. When the guy came back he gave her a piece of paper letting her know all the info, including that it was a bicycle. Then she gave me a piece of paper and told me to move my bicycle off to the side, then walk to the other side of the airport and pay the amount on the piece of paper. When I returned I was to come directly to her to show her that I had paid, at which time she gave me my tickets and told me to move my bicycle to the oversized baggage area. That was the first time I'd encountered that setup ... but in some airports they know exactly what's in the bags and boxes before charging for them.

In the Sydney airport, just prior to my flight back to Vancouver in February 2008 ... when I arrived at the ticket agent, she called a guy over who took my bicycle away to the X-ray machine and to be weighed and measured. When the guy came back he gave her a piece of paper letting her know all the info, including that it was a bicycle. Then she gave me a piece of paper and told me to move my bicycle off to the side, then walk to the other side of the airport and pay the amount on the piece of paper. When I returned I was to come directly to her to show her that I had paid, at which time she gave me my tickets and told me to move my bicycle to the oversized baggage area. That was the first time I'd encountered that setup ... but in some airports they know exactly what's in the bags and boxes before charging for them.

I had a similar experience with Airfrance out of Boston in '06. Not a specific charge for my bike, but for being overweight with my checked bag/bike. I didn't get my ticket untill I came back to the counter with a receipt showing I had paid.

Gah! Yeah! me and my bike together weigh less than a lot of people. A FAIR charge for the extra handling would be fine. Some of the cheapo european airways do this, about 25$ for each leg... but this mounts up, if you have to change (in London for example) then that's 100$ extra for the round trip...
And for my guitar the charge is the same!!!.. so 200$ extra :mad:

I'll be doing a 10 day mini tour in france this summer to visit a friend and for the first time in 30 years of travelling I won't be taking my guitar due to the cost... :cry:

Next winter I'll be over in the USA and due to the extra baggage costs will probably leave my guitar at home and just pick up a second hand one from a pawn shop at the beginning of the trip and give it away at the end...