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    • August 13, 2008

    Extra Bag Fees for Troops? Not Exactly. We Have the Facts.

    Filed under: Airline Fees, Bags — Rick Seaney @ 11:00 am

    You may have seen this “rumor” floating around the web and talk radio, about how one airline or another is charging servicemen and women checked-bag fees. Not exactly.

    Apparently some military folks have been charged for checking a third-bag, but it’s important to understand: if they must pay up front, they do get reimbursed — by the military.

    Certainly getting reimbursed isn’t the foremost on the minds of traveling military personnel, but I think the airlines are taking this one on the chin without much cause, this has been the policy for years and it is just now an issue …

    Trebor Banstetter in the Star-Telegram has a good take on this, and a good perspective from no less than a Pentagon source: “Many [military] have government travel cards that can be used for fees.”

    And by the way, troops flying into combat zones are never charged any fees.
    « The “Magic Number” — When Airline Fees Will Pull a Disappearing Act   ABCNews.com Column: Passengers and Pets »

    2 Comments »

    1. I wouldn’t say this is a rumor! It would appear that some of us who travel and pay attention while in airport lines (especially if there’s a US soldier in it), have witnessed this ridiculous charge by the airlines. It’s a disgrace to our soldiers and I would rather take the financial hit for all of our soldiers as long as the airlines continue to seek new and improved ways to rip of it’s travelers!

      It’s not about our soldiers getting reimbursed, it’s about them being charged in the first place. Pay attention!

      Comment by Sally — August 13, 2008 @ 3:06 pm

    2. You’ll note that “rumor” is in quotes and the update that has been posted after this about AA waiving and UA waiving the fee

      Comment by Rick Seaney — August 13, 2008 @ 7:20 pm

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