| Airline Carriers Raise Baggage & Change Fees |
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As your travel partner, Caldwell Travel would like to share with you a few recent developments by airline carriers which may result in increased costs for our valued customers. Please note the following:
Many carriers charging for second checked-in bag: American Airlines will begin charging customers $25 for a second checked-in bag. The new fee will go in place May 12, but passengers with American's AAdvantage Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum status are exempt, as are those with international itineraries and those who have purchased full-fare tickets in economy, business and first-class cabins. Since the beginning of the year, United, Continental , Northwest and other major carriers have added second checked-in bag fees to increase revenue to offset higher fuel prices. Carriers increase change fee on non-refundable fares: Due to the rising cost of fuel, US Airways is increasing the change fee on non-refundable fares by $50 per ticket, effective for all tickets issued on or after Tuesday, April 29, 2008. (Continental, United, American and Delta have increased penalty fees as well.) Fortunately Caldwell Travel has a special relationship with a major carrier with which we can waive the change fee between Nashville and a number of cities. Ask our agents for more details. The new change fee will be $150 for US Airways flights between the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America. The fee will be $250 for transatlantic/transpacific flights originating from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean or Latin America unless otherwise specified in the fare rule. Carriers increase minimum-stay requirements: Major legacy carriers in April upped minimum-stay requirements on some routes in an attempt to drive more revenue and push business travelers into higher fare buckets. Northwest raised minimum stays from zero or one night to two nights on many fares, while raising two-night minimum-stay fares to three. Caldwell Travel appreciates your business, and will continue to work closely with your company to help manage travel spend. Thank you. Kelly C. Lally
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