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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread

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triathlonshots

Aug 19, 09 16:05

Post #126 of 169 (1485 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [TheMeanGerman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for confirming my post on here. Was sure someone would reply as it is a nasty surprise. I said to them that my bike was hardly worth 150euros whcih wasn't quite true but was trying to emphasise to them how expensive it was.
For me Lufthansa was only from Frankfurt to London so in future I will go back to London all the way on eurorail.

It must be cheaper to post your bike from Germany than flying with your bike on Lufthansa?

G.

Full event coverage of triathlon/ironman in photos.

fexyguy

Aug 26, 09 10:18

Post #127 of 169 (1410 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'd like to throw something out there for everyone to keep an eye out for-

Be careful when booking your flight to make sure it's not a code share. For example, if you book a flight on Alaska Airlines but are not flying out of Seattle...it will be operated by some other carrier and you will be subject to their baggage rules.

Disclaimer: If this was already mentioned, sorry :)

www.teamfexy.com

~Pura Vida~

trackie clm

Aug 27, 09 15:23

Post #128 of 169 (1351 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

ebrunner

Sep 1, 09 15:39

Post #129 of 169 (1277 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [dstieh] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Alaska Airlines last weekend.
Tri-Alll3 2 bike case.

Fai-DFW 75$ and Lots of what's in it questions.
DFW-FAI $50 dollar oversize fee and no questions.

This side up stickers did no good as the baggage gorillas had it on its side every time I saw the box.

Fleck

Sep 1, 09 19:58

Post #130 of 169 (1248 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [trackie clm] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just back from a round trip on United and got the $175 in both directions. At least the guy in Denver coming back was nice and let me move some stuff around as the bike case had the gear and tool bag in it and was 10 pounds over and he didn't want to charge me the additional $125. Between the bike charge and off-airport parking and a share of the rental car, I could have driven for the same price or less.

Cathy,

Not trying to be a smart-ass, but why did you book with United in the first place? Triathletes and cyclists need to start talking with the wallets and NOT supporting the airlines with the ridiculous bike fees and UA is in the small group of being the worst.

Reecently we started booking flights based on who had the best bike fees. It may not be the cheapest ticket that comes up on the top of the Expedia or Hotwire seaches. You may have to scroll down a bit and pay a bit more up-front, but it may work out better in the long run.

Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/stevefleck

afbadbrad

Sep 12, 09 8:58

Post #131 of 169 (1138 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Figured I would add this to the thread since it had to do with my bike box.

Coming back from Ironman Germany 70.3 I had to fly commercial from Frankfurt to Istanbul then to Adana, Turkey. I was lucky enough to catch a military flight up there. So when I got to check in with Turkish Airlines the check in lady was looking at my bike box like I was crazy. I just figured she hadn't seen a bike box in a while. So she starts questioning whats in the box and I use the "sporting equipment" line, seems to have been working lately. Then she points to my Avia stickers from Wildflower, the ones with there trade mark skull on it. And she thinks I have human body remains in there and starts asking all kinds of crazy quesitons. So luckily she did not call security or anything but she made me put the fragile stickers over my AVIA stickers. I was pretty pissed at first but then I didnt get charged for the box so all in all it was good. So bottom line trying to explain that a Skull logo is for a shoe brand was not possible. No one else will probably fly turkish airlines but from my first experience I liked not having to pay $$$ for both flights.

Brad

Brad
http://aftriathlonguy.blogspot.com

RichG

Sep 24, 09 18:44

Post #132 of 169 (996 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just got back from the Worlds in Australia. I purchased a ticket on the Qantas website so I had a Qantas ticket all the way from St. Louis to LAX, Brisbane, Auckland, LAX and back to St Louis. The St. Louis to LAX and LAX back to St.Louis were code shared on American Airlines. When I went to check in at St. Louis, I had all the Qantas luggage rules handy and told the agent the bike box counts as my 2nd bag and should fly for free. I made it met all the Qantas rules as far as weight so I was really hoping to make the "sale". She did a bunch of checking on the computer and told me it was really weird but she agreed. She slapped the baggage tickets on bag, the bike box and I was on my way for NO CHARGE!!! Same treatment for the whole trip, never paid anything for the bike to fly. The only thing I paid on the entire trip for my bike was to store it at the Auckland airport for a week after the race so I didn't have to drag it all around NZ.

So If you are racing down under (including NZ) , be sure to check out flying Qantas and if it works, buy the ticket off the Qantas website so you have a Qantas ticket all the way through. And a final point, The Qantas ticket was half the price of the exact same flights purchased off the American Airlines website (code shared). Factor in that American would have charged me for the bike, the savings of buying the Qantas ticket almost paid for the rest of the trip.

Another little side note: all the Qantas people were so nice - none of that US Flag airline attitude.

Rich G.
Proud member of the Geritol wave!

Mike Plumb

Sep 24, 09 19:06

Post #133 of 169 (986 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [RichG] [In reply to]	Can't Post

first half of my trip in the bag, San Diego to Charlotte on American, bike flew free. Same way that I alwasy fly with it, wheels in a hard shell case, frame partially disassembled in a boogie board bag. I hadn't flown in a while and with all of the changes I wasn't sure if it would still work. But its certainly under the 50 pounds and even though it is over the 62inch size, it's close and they never measure. Unfortunetely American does charge a fee for any luggage checked and that counted as two checked bags so I did get hit with a total of $40 for the two checked bags.

Mike Plumb, TriPower MultiSports
Professional Running, Cycling and Multisport Coaching
www.tripower.org
Sponsored By: Trek, Moment Cyclesport, The Running Center

M-T

Sep 24, 09 20:35

Post #134 of 169 (959 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

This is Singapore Airs policy:

http://www.singaporeair.com/...p?v=-1760740138&

A standard charge of 6 kg will be applied on the bicycle if its weight together with the customer's other checked baggage exceeds the free alllowance entitled to the customer. This will apply up to a maximum excess of 15 kg, after which the normal excess baggage charges will apply.

This special charge is only applicable to one bicycle per customer. Any additional bicycles shall be charged according to the standard excess baggage charges. The bicycle shall be properly packed for transportation, with the handle bars fixed sideways and pedals removed.

The XS baggage charges are based on zones:

http://www.singaporeair.com/...an/baggage_zonal.jsp

and range from 8USD per KG to 60 USD per KG.

Rules for US and Canada travel are different, for travel to/from the USA and/or Canada, each bicycle will be considered as a piece of luggage under the piece system, and will be charged as such if the customer exceeds his/her free baggage allowance.

triathlonshots

Sep 24, 09 21:20

Post #135 of 169 (953 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [afbadbrad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Figured I would add this to the thread since it had to do with my bike box.

Coming back from Ironman Germany 70.3 I had to fly commercial from Frankfurt to Istanbul then to Adana, Turkey. I was lucky enough to catch a military flight up there. So when I got to check in with Turkish Airlines the check in lady was looking at my bike box like I was crazy. I just figured she hadn't seen a bike box in a while. So she starts questioning whats in the box and I use the "sporting equipment" line, seems to have been working lately. Then she points to my Avia stickers from Wildflower, the ones with there trade mark skull on it. And she thinks I have human body remains in there and starts asking all kinds of crazy quesitons.

The above reminds me of a funny story. 'SuperSprint' used to run a sprint triathlon in Fiji and I headed over to do it in 2004. Fiji has had its share of coups over the years and so there is a bit of milatary presence around including a few specialist soldiers from Britain(met them while there in 1999 anyway). So when i rocked up to my hotel in downtown Nadi with a big black case a couple of Fijians come inquiring and asking if my case was full of machine guns. I just laughed and said no, they laughed but were still looking at me funny and wanted to see/know what was in it. Anyway it was a great triathlon and my place was 4th but 15mins back from the winner Peter Robertson.

G.
www.TriathlonShots.com

Full event coverage of triathlon/ironman in photos.

spocket

Sep 25, 09 6:38

Post #136 of 169 (919 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

What an awesome thread! I am thinking about registering to my first out-of-state race and this has proven helpful in figuring out some of the costs/decisions to make.

Thanks!

Ironma'am

Sep 27, 09 7:58

Post #137 of 169 (862 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I can't tell when this was updated last, but it looks like it has some useful information:

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

jldicarlo

Sep 29, 09 8:31

Post #138 of 169 (800 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Ironma'am] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just read this whole thread and had a few things to add/emphasize. My bikes have been a whole lot of places...Alaska, Qatar, most of the US...via just about every means available--UPS, DHL, USPS (yes, I trusted my bike to the USPS once), automobile, and airline.

1. If you can drive, drive! Seriously...start adding up ticket cost (especially if you live in small podunk towns like I do!), bike cost, and airport transportation...you would be amazed how even two days worth of driving is cheaper than flying!

2. BEFORE buying your airline ticket be sure to check the policies! Then PRINT OUT THE RULES FROM THE WEBPAGE! If they try to charge you something ridiculous you have the rules to show them. As others have said...you may get the awesome cheap ticket, but get killed on bike box fees.

3. One poster said he was told if his bag was under 62 inches it would be a normal bag...remember this is LINEAR inches! Not just longest dimension! It's actually L+W+H in most cases. If it's the USPS it's actually L+2x(W+H) and it has to be under 130. Anytime they give a dimension make sure you are clear on what it is! FWIW, most bike cases will NEVER be under the airline dimensions unless it's a folding bike.

4. If you send your bike on an airline in anything but a hard sided plastic case, in my personal opinion you are asking for it. Have you SEEN how these guys manhandle luggage?

5. You CAN ask to be present if the case needs to be opened. I have started doing this and generally what they do is let you go back to where they do the initial screening on the case to see if they need to open it. It literally happens right after you check in...so just ask. The worst they can say is no, right? TSA will screw up putting the bike back in the case if you are not there. This tactic might work a bit better in smaller airports. I'm flying from Fort Walton to LAX this weekend...I expect FWB to let me be there...I will not be surprised if I get turned down by LAX.

6. If you send it UPS/DHL/Fed Ex...INSURE IT! For a LOT! There is a tipping point on amount of insurance where they track the package better and treat it better. Also, remember that these shipping companies have to deliver it to a specific address...if you plan on delivering it to a bike shop they are going to charge you a fee just to receive it even if they don't reassemble it for you. Factor that into how much it costs! I've truly found that unless you disassemble into a cardboard box (and I don't think I would even trust a cardboard box for this) it's going to cost about the same to ship or fly and with ship you are without your bike for much longer.

FWIW, for airlines, American gets my devotion. Not only do the waive the checked bag fee for military (didn't see that little tidbit metioned in this thread), but they only $100 each way for the bike...which is by FAR the most reasonable charge of all the major airlines. So if you are military, it's definitely only $100 versus $115 or $125 that it would be for everyone else. Would I love to be able to fly something cheaper like Southwest? Yup...but unfortunately when you are forced to live in the middle of nowhere you don't really have that choice. I was a little surprised at the "hate" on American Airlines I read above...they have been the best for taking my bike in recent history.

Oh, and recently I flew on Delta (without my bike) and discovered that if you check your bags in online it's $5 cheaper than checking them in at the airport. I found this quite stupid...I mean, what is the difference? You still need to talk to an agent at the airport to drop off the bag so it isn't like you are saving them any manpower. I personally think it's just another way for the airlines to keep squeezing juice out of the turnip. But it's another way to save yourself $5-$10 each way! I am not sure if all airlines are doing it, but again...see #2. If I had not checked in advance it would have cost me $10. That's a lot of beer money!

campi

Oct 1, 09 23:20

Post #139 of 169 (746 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [jldicarlo] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I use an Biospeed bike bag. Thus far I have travelled to:

Asia, Australia, Hawaii, South America, all over the US/Canada. And only been charged ONCE. Roughly 30 plus flight and only one charge.

What to do?

First approach the counter and try to hide your bag in front of you.

Always be nice to the girl/guy counter, crack jokes, smile, ask random questions - ESPECIALLY when you lift the bag to get weighed, keep the chatter going. Heck compliment "her" hair or "his" beard. Cast their attention away from their computer

I rarely get asked whats in the bike bag. Due to the straps on the bag you can shrink it way down with 2 wheels and some clothing/towels for padding. Makes it under the oversized policy from most airlines.

Now in the instance where I do tell them it's a bike - I plead the 20 year old poor amateur athlete story and usually get sympathy - save that one time....grr

Generally I always insist to move the bag in case they suspect it's too heavy but I always manage to get it well under the weight limit.

Don;t believe in bike bags? Never had a problem as I pack my bag VERY carefully. The only problem I ever had was my BB RM sensor braking, but that was my fault. Still claimed it on airline insurance and made some $.

Keep it simple stupid(s) :D

(This post was edited by campi on Oct 1, 09 23:21)

Fleck

Oct 5, 09 18:24

Post #140 of 169 (679 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Flew over to Ironman Hawaii on Continental using my new Aerus Biospeed Bike Bag. Was charged nothing for it when I checked in.

I have written a review of the bag and my experiences and posted on my Blog Part of the Ironman week blogging extravaganza!

http://stevefleck.blogspot.com/...bike-bag-review.html

Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/stevefleck

(This post was edited by Fleck on Oct 5, 09 18:30)

lidsterl

Oct 7, 09 7:05

Post #141 of 169 (625 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Flew Air Canada yesterday. At the kiosk when I checked in it specifically asked if I had any items such as:

Golf clubs
Skis
Bike
Etc,

If they asked "what's in the bag" at the counter I might have responed with sporting equipment or triathlon equipment. But kind of hard to lie to the computer and unfortunately it didn't have a spot for "enter vague answer here".

Only paid $50, but off to Kona today on Alaskan with a connection on Hawaiin. Hopefully the rest of the way is still smooth.

Using a Biospeed from Aerus.

Laird

Kaka

Oct 7, 09 7:20

Post #142 of 169 (620 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [lidsterl] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

This is where I get tripped up. I never get asked "What's in the box." I get asked, "Is that a bike." I never have the chance to give a vague answer that will get me a discount, and I don't have it in me to flat-out lie. Laird, given what other people have paid to transport their bikes, $50 is a steal. Don't worry about it and have a good race on Saturday.

Like Kathryn Bertine, who got charged $700 in bike fees by United on her trip to cycling worlds in Switzerland.
-------------------------------------------
"The hero is someone in continual opposition to the status quo. The hero is always becoming himself." Jos� Ortega y Gasset.

It's a bloggy blog world

dnowak2

Oct 8, 09 15:15

Post #143 of 169 (578 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

How many people have used the Aerus biospeed bag? my 10 year old hard case is worn out and need a new case. would love to buy a light weight case and get past the fees, but very concerned about bike damage in a soft case. I have a new carbon bike and have been told that carbon is more likely to crack than titanium or steel.

-how padded is the aerus biospeed bag?
-anyone ever use it and have any bike damage?
-for those using it, do you have a carbon bike?

not sure if avoiding airline fees is worth the chance of bike damage from not using a hard case.

(This post was edited by dnowak2 on Oct 8, 09 15:50)

DamonHenry

Oct 8, 09 16:11

Post #144 of 169 (567 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [lidsterl] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Strange. Were the bags ever measured? The robot's $50 charge is inconsistent with their website that lists an oversize charge above 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + H), a $100 service charge applies each way. I'm booked on Continental to IMCOZ, and don't think two 700c wheels alone will safely fit under 62 linear inches.

amykloner

Oct 8, 09 16:13

Post #145 of 169 (567 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [dnowak2] [In reply to]	Can't Post

AERUS BIOSPEED BAG---- I have it and love it.

Because it's not screaming "I'm a bike!" you can sometimes get by. It's hit or miss. You might be charged OVERSIZE fees, but not the monstrous bike fees.

And I have not had a problem with the padding-- it's sufficient. Although I did get some extra foamies to jam in there, just because I wanted some extra TLC for my baby.

Email me if you're interested in purchasing. I can get you a discount code for 15% off. amykloner@yahoo.com
-----------------------

Amy Kloner
www.amykloner.com

devashish_paul

Oct 8, 09 17:11

Post #146 of 169 (557 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [campi] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have the identical strategy and use the Akona Biospeed. Actually have been travelling for over 20 years with soft shell cases, pack them tight and only paid three times Once leaving Kona, twice leaving St. Croix. Hard to not pay at these locations as they know what every bag is. I'll probably be charged leaving Clearwater....we'll see.

Dev

www.kuotanorthamerica.com |www.infinitnutrition.ca | www.nineteenwetsuits.com
Free camps: Whiteface Hill Climb + Epicman Lake Placid 3k/180k/21k June 10/11 2010

tri3ba

Oct 14, 09 12:12

Post #147 of 169 (478 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [batia14] [In reply to]	Can't Post

AEROS BIOSPEED BAG - I also have it and it has worked great -no damage, and no fees. 32lbs on the scale and walking up to the counter carrying it like a garment bag prevents any questions. I was asked once while it was sitting on the scale and still no fee. I don't think she believed there was actually a bike in there. One suggestion - spend an extra $15 at Lowe's to help protect the bike and wheels: insulated tubing for the frame, a roll of bubble wrap, packing tape and a few pieces of cardboard. Put a piece cardboard on each side of your wheels and then wrap the whole wheel in bubble wrap to provide some added cushion since that's what supports the sides of the bag. Put insulated tubing on the frame and forks, some extra bubble wrap here and there and it's well protected with very little added weight. Don't forget to stop by a local bike shop and pick-up some plastic brace blocks for the rear drop out and fork before you pack.

Fleck

Oct 14, 09 17:59

Post #148 of 169 (434 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Final report on Kona Bike Charges.

It was bedlam at the Kona airport when we arrived to check-in last night. We were there well in advance of our flight( 90min+) but the situation was not looking good at Hawaiian Airlines check-in. I asked two different roaming Hawaiian people if they would be doing a triage based on time of departure and received no answers! A friend tipped us off( after standing in a line that was not moving at all for 45 min!) to use the porter service to check our bags and get our tickets checked and seats assigned. We tracked one down, tipped the guy $25 and he took care of everything. Charges for the bikes - $35/each. Not sure what it would have been had we stayed in the main line - Hawaiian/Continental advertise a $100/bike charge plus other extra bag charges. Had we stayed in the main line we may not have even made the flight!!

So total bike charges for the trip:

MissP(Trico Ironcase) - $50 on Air Canada to Kona and $35 on the return trip to Toronto on Hawaiian/Continental

Me(Aerus Biospeed) - No charge on Continental to Kona and $35 on the return trip to Toronto on Hawaiian/Continental

Shared charges - $25 porter tip at KOA

Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/stevefleck

(This post was edited by Fleck on Oct 14, 09 18:00)

draketriathlon

Oct 14, 09 18:19

Post #149 of 169 (420 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I didn't see this up there but Quantas is free for a bike box international, so if you are planning to fly to Aus, for whatever reason definitly fly them.

pmcdc

Oct 14, 09 22:47

Post #150 of 169 (394 views)

Re: The Official Airline Bike Fee Thread [draketriathlon] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I didn't see this up there but Quantas is free for a bike box international, so if you are planning to fly to Aus, for whatever reason definitly fly them.

--------------------------------------------------
so was air new zealand september 6-16, 2009. that's why i chose them to go to australia.
peggy

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