Airline Baggage Fees and Connecting City Charges Irk Consumers

It is increasingly more expensive to fly, which is only made worse by the fact that airlines are charging more and more for baggage fees, booking fees and ticket fees, and sometimes customers are mistakenly charged twice for fees that they shouldn’t be charged.

That is what allegedly happened to John Boyle when he and his wife flew from Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pa. to Florida in February 2013.

The Boyles had paid to check two bags on their flight online, which is cheaper than if customers wait until they get to the airport. The Pennsylvania couple also had a carry-on bag.

When they got to the ticket counter, they were told that the one carry-on bag was too big and that it would need to be checked, which would cost an extra $70. Mr. Boyle did not agree that the bag was too large and pointed out that several other passengers around were carrying the exact same American Tourister bag.

“It has always fit in the overhead bin other than on very small commuters,” Mr. Boyle explained. “They all easily fit in the overhead storage and in fact, after all passengers were on and carry-ons stored, the bins were about 20 percent empty.”

It was placed in a “sizer” to see if it would fit. He added that one employee said that it would fit, but that another employee said that it wouldn’t. Because of that, Mr. Boyle allegedly had to check his bag and pay the additional $70.

Mr. Boyle had already paid a $26 carry-on fee and asked if he could have a refund on it. He was told that he could not get a refund.

The Pennsylvania man contacted the airline after returning from his trip by phone and email but did not get a response.

He then contacted a local watchdog advocate, Paul Muschick, who then contacted a public relations manager for the airline. Muschick was told by the spokesperson that check-in agents aren’t able to issue refunds, but that if Mr. Boyle contacted customer service, he would get his refund.

Mr. Boyle tried again to contact the airline via email and phone, but was not told what Muschick was told. Instead, he says he was explicitly denied the refund.

“In regards to your request, Allegiant Travel respectfully declines your request for refund of the bag fees,” an airline representative said to Mr. Boyle in an email.

The airline told Mr. Boyle that all baggage fees are non-refundable.

The watchdog advocate contacted the public relations spokesperson from the airline again and was told that “the agent who reviewed this claim was mistaken.”

She reversed the decision and finally refunded the $26 fee.

Other travelers have reported that they were charged a baggage fee twice — for each leg of a connecting flight.

Connecting City Fee Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

A class action lawsuit investigation has been launched into claims that certain airlines are charging extra fees to domestic flights that involve a connecting city.

If you or someone you know flew American, Delta or United airlines and had were charged extra for a connection, legal options may be available to you. Visit the Airline Fees, Connecting City Charges, Class Action Lawsuit Investigation to find out more information and see if you might qualify for the free class action lawsuit investigation.