Pat Donnelly
October 1st, 2008, 07:09 PM
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Published on Aspen Daily News Online (http://www.aspendailynews.com (http://www.aspendailynews.com/))
Aspen visitor baggage fee: $380
Writer:
Andrew Travers
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Air fares expected to increase 34 percent this winter
The average vacationer flying to Aspen to ski this winter will pony up an extra $380 to transport his or her gear and clothes.
United Airlines, Aspen’s largest commercial air carrier, has implemented and raised its fees for checking bags since last ski season ended. Passengers currently pay $15 for their first bag, $50 for their second and $125 for a third. (The second bag fee was originally $25, but the company doubled it on Sept. 15.)
The fees are tacked on to fares each way on a round-trip ticket.
“The implementation of these baggage fees is still new and evolving,” said David Perry, senior vice president of the Aspen Skiing Co. and chairman of the board of Stay Aspen Snowmass. “A lot of travelers will be surprised this winter if they’re not already aware. And skiers do have a lot of baggage.”
The average Aspen winter visitor checks three bags, according to Bill Tomcich, president of central booking agency Stay Aspen Snowmass. That adds up to $380 per person if the visitor flies in on United, as most Aspen vacationers do.
He noted this fact Tuesday in a phone address to the board of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. When Tomcich quoted the $380 figure, it elicited audible gasps from some board members.
The bag surcharge on United comes in addition to what Tomcich said he expects to be an overall fare increase of 34 percent this winter over last year. That hike comes despite the April addition of Frontier Airlines service to Aspen, which was expected to bring competitive pricing to the previously United-dominated airport.
To ease the crunch on ski travelers, Tomcich said he is negotiating with Federal Express and other shipping companies in the hopes of offering alternative ways for visitors to transport their bags here affordably through his agency.
“Complaints are not surfacing yet regarding the fees,” explained Perry. “But we’re trying to get out in front of it.”
Presumably, the bag charges will be a boon to local ski equipment rental shops as travelers choose not to check their gear and rent it here instead.
One ski or snowboard bag with a boot bag weighing less than 50 pounds can be substituted for one regular bag per passenger on United. However, any additional equipment bags carry a $125 fee.
The vast majority of Aspen’s winter visitors — 85 percent according to the city’s most recent statistics — come here by plane, landing either at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, the Eagle County Regional Airport or Denver International Airport.
United began charging for bags in June and also for food and pillows in an effort to counteract volatile fuel prices and rising operating costs. They have said they aim to generate $700 million in additional annual revenue for the ailing company.
The three other airlines operating out of Aspen will all charge for checking bags for the first time this winter.
Frontier began charging for bags on June 10. Their rates are $15 for one bag, $25 for a second and third, and $50 for a fourth or more. Checking ski bags is $25 apiece.
Delta still allows passengers to check one bag free of charge, including ski bags. A second bag is $50 and a third is $125.
Published on Aspen Daily News Online (http://www.aspendailynews.com (http://www.aspendailynews.com/))
Aspen visitor baggage fee: $380
Writer:
Andrew Travers
<!--paging_filter-->
Air fares expected to increase 34 percent this winter
The average vacationer flying to Aspen to ski this winter will pony up an extra $380 to transport his or her gear and clothes.
United Airlines, Aspen’s largest commercial air carrier, has implemented and raised its fees for checking bags since last ski season ended. Passengers currently pay $15 for their first bag, $50 for their second and $125 for a third. (The second bag fee was originally $25, but the company doubled it on Sept. 15.)
The fees are tacked on to fares each way on a round-trip ticket.
“The implementation of these baggage fees is still new and evolving,” said David Perry, senior vice president of the Aspen Skiing Co. and chairman of the board of Stay Aspen Snowmass. “A lot of travelers will be surprised this winter if they’re not already aware. And skiers do have a lot of baggage.”
The average Aspen winter visitor checks three bags, according to Bill Tomcich, president of central booking agency Stay Aspen Snowmass. That adds up to $380 per person if the visitor flies in on United, as most Aspen vacationers do.
He noted this fact Tuesday in a phone address to the board of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. When Tomcich quoted the $380 figure, it elicited audible gasps from some board members.
The bag surcharge on United comes in addition to what Tomcich said he expects to be an overall fare increase of 34 percent this winter over last year. That hike comes despite the April addition of Frontier Airlines service to Aspen, which was expected to bring competitive pricing to the previously United-dominated airport.
To ease the crunch on ski travelers, Tomcich said he is negotiating with Federal Express and other shipping companies in the hopes of offering alternative ways for visitors to transport their bags here affordably through his agency.
“Complaints are not surfacing yet regarding the fees,” explained Perry. “But we’re trying to get out in front of it.”
Presumably, the bag charges will be a boon to local ski equipment rental shops as travelers choose not to check their gear and rent it here instead.
One ski or snowboard bag with a boot bag weighing less than 50 pounds can be substituted for one regular bag per passenger on United. However, any additional equipment bags carry a $125 fee.
The vast majority of Aspen’s winter visitors — 85 percent according to the city’s most recent statistics — come here by plane, landing either at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, the Eagle County Regional Airport or Denver International Airport.
United began charging for bags in June and also for food and pillows in an effort to counteract volatile fuel prices and rising operating costs. They have said they aim to generate $700 million in additional annual revenue for the ailing company.
The three other airlines operating out of Aspen will all charge for checking bags for the first time this winter.
Frontier began charging for bags on June 10. Their rates are $15 for one bag, $25 for a second and third, and $50 for a fourth or more. Checking ski bags is $25 apiece.
Delta still allows passengers to check one bag free of charge, including ski bags. A second bag is $50 and a third is $125.