billski
Active member
I understand that airlines have become pretty strict about oversized luggage and upped the charges significantly. Anyone travel domestic US lately with a pair of skis? What are the surcharges?
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What are airlines charging to carry skis?
- Thread starter billski
- Start date
skibum1321
New member
They didn't charge me anything to carry a pair of skis last March to Tahoe.
billski
Active member
really?
Really? What airline? Were you riding pedestrian class? Was it a full price, advance or freq. flier trip?skibum1321 said:
I just flew round trip boston-colorado, on United.
They allow 2 checked bags, total, each have to be under 50 lbs. (e.g. one checked bag, one ski bag) I brought my boot bag as carry-on luggage, as I didn't want them losing, spilling on, breaking, etc my boots.
In the past some airlines have counted a boot bag, and a ski bag, as one unit.
A friend I was travelling with was told they wouldn't count his as a boot bag, because it 'didn't look like a boot bag'. Well, aside from the fact that the lady at the airport in Boston had likely never even seen a pair of ski boots, It appears to be fairly vague how it is handled.
In sum: one friend was charged $80 for having an additional bag, one friend was told not to worry about the third bag (his airline was Delta), and one friend tipped the guy at curbside check-in $10, and his third bag was taken without comment or charge...
YMMV.
They allow 2 checked bags, total, each have to be under 50 lbs. (e.g. one checked bag, one ski bag) I brought my boot bag as carry-on luggage, as I didn't want them losing, spilling on, breaking, etc my boots.
In the past some airlines have counted a boot bag, and a ski bag, as one unit.
A friend I was travelling with was told they wouldn't count his as a boot bag, because it 'didn't look like a boot bag'. Well, aside from the fact that the lady at the airport in Boston had likely never even seen a pair of ski boots, It appears to be fairly vague how it is handled.
In sum: one friend was charged $80 for having an additional bag, one friend was told not to worry about the third bag (his airline was Delta), and one friend tipped the guy at curbside check-in $10, and his third bag was taken without comment or charge...
YMMV.
mergs
New member
i flew continental to europe this past Feb and they were counting the ski bag and boot bag as one unit, plus your normal luggage. no extra $$. the weight limits for the bags vary by airline.
some airlines may try to charge you for that boot bag... if so, politely protest (sometimes the nice lady behind the counter simply makes a mistake and conisders it a 3rd bag) and if s/he persists and you don't win... just make room in your main luggage bag for the boots. if you are carrying so much that you can't fit your boots in there, the airlines should charge you extra $$, because frankly... you overpacked!!
some airlines may try to charge you for that boot bag... if so, politely protest (sometimes the nice lady behind the counter simply makes a mistake and conisders it a 3rd bag) and if s/he persists and you don't win... just make room in your main luggage bag for the boots. if you are carrying so much that you can't fit your boots in there, the airlines should charge you extra $$, because frankly... you overpacked!!
blacknblue
New member
You shouldn't have a problem flying domestic if you have a (checked) ski bag, another checked bag, and a carry-on.
I wrap my skis with a sweater or two in the ski bag, and then put the rest of my ski gear (clothes, boots, helmet) in a large duffel bag and check that, then just carry-on my regular stuff.
As long as the two check-on are both under 50 lbs., I've never heard of anyone having a problem. I flew United last week and my buddy had a bag that was 75 lbs and they charged him an extra $25.
I wrap my skis with a sweater or two in the ski bag, and then put the rest of my ski gear (clothes, boots, helmet) in a large duffel bag and check that, then just carry-on my regular stuff.
As long as the two check-on are both under 50 lbs., I've never heard of anyone having a problem. I flew United last week and my buddy had a bag that was 75 lbs and they charged him an extra $25.
SKIQUATTRO
New member
I fly delta (skymiles) and have never been charged for skis. They tried to get me for my surfboard but after chatting with the love behind the counter, she waived it.......
I fly to Denver 4 to 5 times a winter with ski gear and have never been charged extra. Two pairs of skis and poles in my skibag. Most of my clothes in a small duffle. Essentials in a backpack that I carry on. I clip my helment to my backpack and strap my boots together and sling them over my shoulder and carry them on.
I fly either United or JetBlue depending on who has the best flight times/cheapest flights
I fly either United or JetBlue depending on who has the best flight times/cheapest flights
billski
Active member
skiguy666 said:
Hmmm. That's interesting, carry on your helmet and boots. You kinda skirt the one carry on item that way. Hmmm. I am combining this with a business trip, I need to bring 4 days of good clothes on top of what I need for skiing. I usually reserve the ski bag for dirty laundry after the fact. I may have to reconsider.
andyzee
New member
No problems with Delta, they count a ski bag and boot bag in place of one piece of luggage. Just make sure you keep it under the weight limit of 50 lbs. I took two pairs of skis in one bag.
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/fragile_bulky/sporting_goods/index.jsp#skis
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/fragile_bulky/sporting_goods/index.jsp#skis
SKIQUATTRO
New member
if going for biz and you are only skiing a day or two, just bring your boots and demo!!!
billski said:
I would never put one of the new micro-shell helmets (like giro) in a checked bag. They likely to be damaged in a checked bag. You may not see damage but it could be there. Personally I don't want my helmet to fail on me if I can help it.
They usually count the boots as your personal item (normally a briefcase or purse, but, really what's more personal then a pair of ski boots?)
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