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Delta Airlines will begin charging $15 on passengers first checked bag and
$25 for a second checked bag on all domestic flights.
The new first-checked-bag fee goes into effect immediately for new bookings
for travel Dec. 5, 2008 or later.
 People with advance bookings made prior to
Wednesday will not have to pay the first-bag fee, regardless of dates of
travel..
"The increase in bags being carried on board Delta aircraft this year
tells us that customers are not differentiating Delta as the only major airline
not charging for a first checked bag," said Steve Gorman, the carrier's
chief operating officer.
First class and business class passengers will be exempt from Delta's fees
for the first three bags up to 70 pounds each, while SkyMiles Medallion members
and WorldPerks elite members in coach class will be exempt from fees for the
first two checked bags up to 70 pounds each. International travelers and those
who paid full "Y" coach class fares can check two bags up to 50 pounds
each for free.
The good news is that Delta is eliminating its $3 curb side check in fee
along with the irritating $25 to $100 fuel surcharge for SkyMiles and WorldPerks
award-ticket holders in response to falling fuel prices.
Some of the changes to align Delta and Northwest's policies and fees include:
- Elimination of SkyMiles and WorldPerks award
ticket fuel surcharges – Effective immediately, Delta will
eliminate the $25-$100 fuel surcharges assessed for SkyMiles and WorldPerks
award ticket travel originating from the U.S. and Canada. The
surcharges were instituted earlier this year by both airlines in response to
unprecedented fuel costs.
- Reduction of Reservation Sales Direct Ticketing
charges – Delta, effective Nov. 6, 2008, will reduce the fee
assessed for tickets purchased over the phone from a reservations sales
representative from $25 to $20 consistent with Northwest's policy.
Delta will also reduce the fee collected when customers redeem either
SkyMiles or WorldPerks award travel over the phone with a reservations sales
representative from $25 to $20. As always, there will continue to be
no charge for customers who book tickets and redeem award travel online at
either delta.com
or nwa.com.
- Elimination of curbside check-in administrative
fees – Delta, effective Dec. 5, 2008, will discontinue the
$3 curbside check-in administration fee. With this change, customers
no longer will incur an administrative fee for checking bags via skycaps for
Delta- and Northwest-operated flights at airport locations worldwide,
consistent with Northwest's policy.
- Alignment of first and second checked bag fees
– Effective immediately, for travel on or after Dec. 5, 2008, customers
flying within the United States will be charged $15 for the first checked
bag and $25 for the second checked bag when traveling domestically,
consistent with Northwest's existing policies. Customers who purchased
Delta tickets on or before Nov. 5, 2008, and who are traveling on or after
Dec. 5, 2008, will be charged $50 for a second bag, but will be permitted to
check their first bag without charge pursuant to Delta's previous policy.
All customers flying in First or Business Class, including SkyMiles
Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members, will receive up to three
checked bags, up to 70 pounds each, for free. SkyMiles Medallion
members and WorldPerks Elite members flying in Coach Class will receive up
to two checked bags, up to 70 pounds each, for free. All customers
traveling in full fare (Y) Coach Class, as well as customers traveling
internationally will receive up to two checked bags, up to 50 pounds each,
for free. U. S. Military personnel on active duty with travel orders
will continue to be able to check up to 10 pieces of luggage on Delta- and
Northwest-operated mainline flights or up to four pieces of luggage on Delta
Connection flights, up to a maximum of 100 pounds each, free of charge.
- Addition of "Coach Choice Seats" on
Delta flights – Last week, Delta began offering customers the
opportunity to purchase "Coach Choice Seats" on select Delta and
Delta Connection flights when they use self-service check-in within 24 hours
of their scheduled departure time. A service currently offered at
Northwest, the program offers "Coach Choice Seats" for $5-$25
based on distance traveled and seat location. Additionally, SkyMiles
Medallion members, WorldPerks Elite members, SkyTeam Elite members and
passengers confirmed in Y or B class may select a "Coach Choice"
seat at no additional charge when checking in online or at a kiosk within 24
hours of departure. Coach Choice Seats represent less than 10 percent
of all seat assignments available on Delta-operated flights. SkyMiles
Medallion and WorldPerks Elite members will continue to enjoy access to
preferred seating (i.e. select bulkhead, exit row and forward cabin-seating)
without a charge at the time of booking.
Most other Northwest baggage policies and fees
will be aligned to Delta's structure, effective Dec. 5, 2008. Travel on
Delta and Northwest tickets purchased prior to the announcement of these changes
will continue to be governed by the prior Delta and Northwest policies.
Additional details about Delta's newly aligned policies and fees can be found at
www.delta.com.
Although Delta and Northwest policies and fees
are being aligned over the next 30 days, customers are reminded to continue
checking in for flights and doing business directly with the airline operating
their flights just as they did before the merger. Delta will continue operation
of the airlines' separate Web sites, www.delta.com
and www.nwa.com,
as well as the two airlines' reservations systems and loyalty programs.
The companies will be integrated through a thoughtful process with customer
benefits continuing to roll out over the next 12-24 months.
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