American Airlines Agrees to Waive Extra Baggage Fees for Soldiers
American Airlines has, until now, waived the $15 first checked bag fee and the $25 second fee, but not the $100 third checked bagged fee. They explained that they had "always understood that soldiers traveling on duty were reimbursed by the military for the fees on required excess baggage." After numerous complaints from soldiers traveling, American Airlines has caved, and will no longer charge soldiers en route to training or deployment for their third checked bag.
American Airlines issued a press release stating, "The choice for us to forgo payment for a third checked bag from the Department of Defense was clear."
Military personnel are supposed to receive vouchers and reimbursement for any baggage fees they incur, but this wasn't always happening.
American Airlines explained the new policy:
"The new waiver policy for military personnel begins immediately. American Airlines will work closely with the Department of Defense on issues such as this in the future. "
Comments
How very disappointing…
American Airlines gets all the blame for the contract that was created between it and the Dept of Defense years ago. This wasn’t something new. It was a long-standing contracted price schedule.
Nobody mentioned that United and Delta actually charge $125 for the 3rd bag. That’s what the Dept of Defense contracted with them for. Nobody mentioned that this is only on non-combat flights either. Flights to combat areas have no restrictions.
Come-on… Get your facts straight. Don’t just accept what you read on some blog. This was all old news and SOP contractually agreed upon by the airlines and the Dept. of Defense years ago.
Ward
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