Are there still ways to avoid airline fees?

Post general kiteboarding discussion topics here!
User avatar
stewart
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor
Posts:141
Joined:Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:07 pm
Contact:
Re: Are there still ways to avoid airline fees?

Post by stewart » Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:31 pm

I've bee pretty lucky with this bag: https://www.kiteboarding.com/proddetail ... travel_140 Took it to Baja, Hatteras and Panama with no issues. I keep it under 50lbs. The bag compresses down nicely. I've only paid normal check baggage fees except for international where it has flown free as a second checked bag.

I use to use a Liquid Force Golf Bag (that looked like a golf bag) but it was heavy and bulky. It started drawing too many looks.

IF the agent asks I just say I am carrying a snowboard or wakeboard. I even have said kiteboard not kitesurf. With no issue.

The best thing to do is check your airlines check baggage policy for sporting equipment. Most have a 50lb or less policy and max linear length. Southwest will let you check 2 bags for free. As long as it isn't over 50lbs.

Some examples:
http://www.southwest.com/html/customer- ... ist_tab_12
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel ... pment.aspx
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content ... ports.aspx
http://www.aa.com/pubcontent/jbax/inclu ... sport.html
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/ ... items.html
http://www.taca.com/eng/syi/bag/bageqes ... id=14#esp6

toddeby
Joey
Joey
Posts:9
Joined:Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:21 pm
Location:Oakland
Contact:

Re: Are there still ways to avoid airline fees?

Post by toddeby » Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:15 am

Sooooo many threads on this and the bottom line seems to be that the NSI Golf bag has the best record for not getting you charged...I have two of them and have never been charged even in Cabarete. Keep 'em under 50 lbs. and you're almost always good. Only challenge is when you are flying the little inter-island planes (small Cessnas) as they have challenges with fitting the bags, nothing that Ben Franklin can't cure. Curb side checkin with a healthy tip is also a good strategy...

User avatar
pipedragon
Regular
Regular
Posts:619
Joined:Thu Dec 02, 2004 11:51 am
Location:Alameda
Contact:

Re: Are there still ways to avoid airline fees?

Post by pipedragon » Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:25 pm

My NSI golf bag has paid for itself 3 fold going to Maui over the years. Just throw in one golf club if your worried and your all set.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 48 guests