Airline charges?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Manchester, MA
Posts: 135
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Airline charges?
Happy New Year!
Can anyone tell me what airline is my best bet to avoid paying an $80 bike charge? I would be flying in the US. Thanks.
Can anyone tell me what airline is my best bet to avoid paying an $80 bike charge? I would be flying in the US. Thanks.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: On the Road
Posts: 1,260
Bikes: Custom built tourer, custom electric bike, beaters everywhere
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Air Canada, British Airways and their partners don't charge for a bike if it is under 32 kilos, is properly packaged and sent as checked luggage.
https://www.aircanada.com/services/luggage/#sportfree
Unfortunately, it's only on international flights. Maybe you can check out a charter.
https://www.aircanada.com/services/luggage/#sportfree
Unfortunately, it's only on international flights. Maybe you can check out a charter.
Last edited by stokell; 01-07-03 at 02:00 PM.
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Dang....
I wish I'd known that when I was flying out of the country last year- that friggin' airline I flew charged me $125, and I wasn't happy about that.
Nonetheless, this year, I'm only going to fly Air Canada or British Airways. It may cost me a little more, but the money I save from not having to pay additional charges for my bike will even it out in the long run.
Thanks for the tip, and if you know of any other options, let me know.
Koffee
I wish I'd known that when I was flying out of the country last year- that friggin' airline I flew charged me $125, and I wasn't happy about that.
Nonetheless, this year, I'm only going to fly Air Canada or British Airways. It may cost me a little more, but the money I save from not having to pay additional charges for my bike will even it out in the long run.
Thanks for the tip, and if you know of any other options, let me know.
Koffee
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: On the Road
Posts: 1,260
Bikes: Custom built tourer, custom electric bike, beaters everywhere
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Star Alliance includes United Airlines
https://www.star-alliance.com/cgi-bin/sa.storefront/
https://www.star-alliance.com/cgi-bin/sa.storefront/
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 74
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you are a member of certain organizations like the League of American Bicyclists or Adventure Cycling, you can get the fee waived on their partner airlines. I think the LAB has a whole bunch of partner airlines, whereas Adventure Cycling only has Northwest.
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
I called United when I wanted to go abroad last year- they told me it would cost $100 each way to take my bike....
I don't know what's going on with these airlines, but somehow, there has to be a way to hold them to their policies when you show up with your bike in tow.
Dang it.
Koffee
I don't know what's going on with these airlines, but somehow, there has to be a way to hold them to their policies when you show up with your bike in tow.
Dang it.
Koffee
#7
Thru-Hiker/Biker
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 61
Bikes: Raleigh MT-400
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've read that if you pack your bike in plain looking box (or bike carton that's spray painted over the manufacturers logos) and then label it "display materials - fragile".
When asked at check-in, just mention your bike box is advertising "display materials" for a trade/expo show. I've heard no is no extra charge for this, even though the display materials box are the same size as your bike box. Hope this helps...
When asked at check-in, just mention your bike box is advertising "display materials" for a trade/expo show. I've heard no is no extra charge for this, even though the display materials box are the same size as your bike box. Hope this helps...
#8
cycle-powered
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Munich Germany (formerly Portland OR, Texas)
Posts: 1,848
Bikes: '02 Specialized FSR, '03 RM Slayer, '99 Raleigh R700, '97 Norco hartail, '89 Stumpjumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've read that if you pack your bike in plain looking box (or bike carton that's spray painted over the manufacturers logos) and then label it "display materials - fragile".
each airline has a published fee for bikes - usually free for international and $25-40 one way domestic. i think it's USA Cycling that had a deal with (i think) United where you send off and get a voucher for 1 round trip which i used a few years ago.
just check the airline policy BEFORE buying your ticket as a ticket that's $40 more might be cheaper if the bike goes free and the other charges $35 each way.
i have flown 3 times with my bike - once free, once with voucher and once for $25x2 (Southwest i think)
#9
Punk Rock Lives
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Throughout the west in a van, on my bike, and in the forest
Posts: 3,305
Bikes: Long Haul Trucker with BRIFTERS!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times
in
39 Posts
I general haven't been charged too much....if at all. I fly at odd hours, have very LITTLE equipment (I once got everything in the box and was still under the weight limit). I do not want to defend the airlines, but unlike guitars, x-country skis, and other large parcels, bikes are lathered with all kinds of lubricant and other hydrocarbons which drive sniffing machines crazy. In general though, I have been treated well. To be more sinister, the amount of plastic explosive you could put in a bike frame--and WHO, EVER, looks inside the frame when they examine your luggage--could blow and airliner out of the sky easily; or could level a city block. I talked with some authorities on this, but i don't know if anything has ever been done about it.
roughstuff
roughstuff
#10
Love Me....Love My Bike!
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,231
Bikes: Bikes: Giant hybrid, Trek 4500, Cannondale R800 Some commuting 20mi/day, mostly fitness riding - 20-50 mile rides
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I haven't done it myself, but I think I read on a similar thread onetime that if you label your bike box "wheelchair", they won't charge you!
__________________
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
I'm going to check on that policy-
When I decided to take my trip to Italy, I checked with A LOT of airlines, and they all claimed to charge me. I picked Alitalia because I thought they had the cheapest bike charges- turns out they lied and when I got to the airport, they claimed the charge was $75 each way. I tried to argue with them, but I ended up having to pay anyway.
I thought that Europeans were supposed to be so big into being healthy and biking, so I tried to go through European airlines, thinking they would have more respect for the bike, but no avail-
This year, if I get lucky enough to go back, I'll try to fly Air Canada and go through Toronto instead.
Now that all luggage is going to be hand checked anyway, and x-rayed, I'm sure we'll be less likely of being accused of having plastic explosives in our bike frames, altough I doubt they ever thought about that to begin with. I'm thinking more along the lines of getting a bike in Europe and leaving it there. Maybe it would be easier for me to ship it from one country to the next when I fly there from year to year. Carrying a bike from the USA gets expensive and frustrating.
The saga continues...
K B
When I decided to take my trip to Italy, I checked with A LOT of airlines, and they all claimed to charge me. I picked Alitalia because I thought they had the cheapest bike charges- turns out they lied and when I got to the airport, they claimed the charge was $75 each way. I tried to argue with them, but I ended up having to pay anyway.
I thought that Europeans were supposed to be so big into being healthy and biking, so I tried to go through European airlines, thinking they would have more respect for the bike, but no avail-
This year, if I get lucky enough to go back, I'll try to fly Air Canada and go through Toronto instead.
Now that all luggage is going to be hand checked anyway, and x-rayed, I'm sure we'll be less likely of being accused of having plastic explosives in our bike frames, altough I doubt they ever thought about that to begin with. I'm thinking more along the lines of getting a bike in Europe and leaving it there. Maybe it would be easier for me to ship it from one country to the next when I fly there from year to year. Carrying a bike from the USA gets expensive and frustrating.
The saga continues...
K B
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Manchester, MA
Posts: 135
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the replies. It is very frustrating. It looks like British Airways is no charge for one bike, in lieu of a checked bag. Northwest is free on international flights, but 80 each way domestically. I flew Northwest last summer out to Colorado, of course I bought the ticket before learning about the charge, I must have talked to every customer service rep they have, because they finally sent me an 80 dollar voucher...still hurt though.
#13
Fool O' crap
I've traveled with my bike many times, and have not had to pay yet. I try to check my bags at the busiest time (when there is a long line). I bring my bike box up to the counter, and when the person checking bags asks for money or informs me of a charge I just give them a stupid look and say, "I didn’t know that, you've got to be kidding". Then just keep looking at them and add an occasional "wow" and a headshake. They are pressed to fill the plane, so I get usual "I'll let you go this time, but you'll have to pay next time".
I know this sounds kind of silly and lame but I have used it at least five times, and it has never failed me. Plus, I think it is silly and lame that there is a charge for a bicycle.
I know this sounds kind of silly and lame but I have used it at least five times, and it has never failed me. Plus, I think it is silly and lame that there is a charge for a bicycle.
#14
cycle-powered
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Munich Germany (formerly Portland OR, Texas)
Posts: 1,848
Bikes: '02 Specialized FSR, '03 RM Slayer, '99 Raleigh R700, '97 Norco hartail, '89 Stumpjumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
well, i've been checking on bike charges and it seems that since 2002 almost all of the airlines have changed from no fee for bikes on international flights to $50-100 each way:
Swiss air: $50
Delta: $90
United: ? $100
Northwest: still free i think
i guess the airlines have been tight-pressed as fewer people are flying so they're trying to make it back anywhere they can.
anyone know of any other airlines that still don't have fees (looking for Boston to Munich flight for a friend)
alternately anyone had success disgusing a bike to look like regular luggage or musical instrument to avoid the bike charge?
Swiss air: $50
Delta: $90
United: ? $100
Northwest: still free i think
i guess the airlines have been tight-pressed as fewer people are flying so they're trying to make it back anywhere they can.
anyone know of any other airlines that still don't have fees (looking for Boston to Munich flight for a friend)
alternately anyone had success disgusing a bike to look like regular luggage or musical instrument to avoid the bike charge?
#15
LBAPD Bike Patrol
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Long Beach, NY
Posts: 117
Bikes: '03 Specialized Sequoia Expert/Specialized Crossroad/Schwinn 3sp. Stingray
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here is a link to a discussion about this topic on Frommer's Budget Travel website.
https://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX?128@@.eeafdfe
This is a recent thread, so I am sure that additional comments will be added. It seems as if there is an economic advantage to take your bicycle on an international flight as opposed to a domestic (U.S.) flight.
I hope that this adds some additional insight.
Be well,
Rob
https://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX?128@@.eeafdfe
This is a recent thread, so I am sure that additional comments will be added. It seems as if there is an economic advantage to take your bicycle on an international flight as opposed to a domestic (U.S.) flight.
I hope that this adds some additional insight.
Be well,
Rob
__________________
'03 Specialized Sequoia Expert
'93 Specialized CrossRoads
IPMBA certified Police Bicycle Patrol Officer
Long Beach Auxiliary Police Department
https://www.lbapd.com
'03 Specialized Sequoia Expert
'93 Specialized CrossRoads
IPMBA certified Police Bicycle Patrol Officer
Long Beach Auxiliary Police Department
https://www.lbapd.com
#16
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ft. Collins, CO.
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hello,
If you are flying within the continental United State, I would suggest avoiding the airlines completely. My local mailing service will send a bike to any US location for around $45. You could probably leave the shipping container with the mailing service and just repackage and mail form the same spot after your trip.
Cheers!
Lee
If you are flying within the continental United State, I would suggest avoiding the airlines completely. My local mailing service will send a bike to any US location for around $45. You could probably leave the shipping container with the mailing service and just repackage and mail form the same spot after your trip.
Cheers!
Lee