Passengers react to $15 bag fees

PHILADELPHIA - July 9, 2008 For domestic flights booked starting today, you'll have to pay $15 for your first checked bag.

"I'll definitely pack less now," Daniel White from Galloway, New Jersey said.

The airlines blame additional fees on skyrocketing fuel prices, but some customers say this isn't the way to make up for lost revenue.

"Hey, we're all hurting. These are airlines, they shouldn't charge for your first checked bag. I'd rather if they raised the price of airfare right off the bat," Susan Dubois from Jacksonville, Florida said.

Some passengers are exempt from the first checked bag fee. They include:

• All Dividend Miles Preferred members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman's Preferred)
• Passengers traveling to and from Europe, or to and from Asia
• Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members
• Unaccompanied minors
• Passengers checking personal assistive devices
• Confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers at time of check-in
• Active military personnel with ID and government issued travel orders/on active duty status (luggage up to 99 lbs/45 kg free of charge)

But beware because the nickel and diming does not end with baggage fees. In August, you'll have to pay $2 for non-alcoholic drinks.

"I know gas is expensive, but this is ridiculous. They can't even give you water," Chelsea Genova from Galloway, New Jersey said.

No free water on US Airways and starting in November, no in flight music or movies on domestic flights either.

"It wouldn't affect me because I listen to my iPod and CDs, so it doesn't affect me one way or the other," Diana Hill of West Philadelphia said.

"Do a crossword puzzle, that's what I do," Michael Mccabe of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said.

And other airlines are charging additional fees, too.

American and United already charge for customer's first checked bags, and now Northwest Airlines says it will charge $15, too.

It also announced today it will start charging a fee for frequent flyer reward tickets. $25 for domestic trips and the fees go up from there.

LINK: US Airways new baggage policies