We all loathe luggage fees, but United Airlines is the first to make the burden easier to bear for frequent travelers, with a new offer putting a cap on the sky-high charges of checking bags each time you check-in. Today, the airline unveiled its Premier Baggage program that lets continuous checkers pay $249 up front, then fly their bags fee-free for a full year (both on the homefront and to destinations abroad). Not for everyone, the offer makes the most sense for families who often fly domestically (where the highest bag fees are incurred), as it allows two checked bags per person, for up to eight people per reservation.

In mid-2008, when airlines across the country began tacking on extraneous fees to compensate for lower ticket sales and spikes in fuel prices (like charging upwards of $25 each way for the first checked bag on domestic flights), they created an uproar among flyers who felt like they were being flown for all they’re worth. Since then, said fees have been evolving exponentially, leaving the days of the all-inclusive ticket price to memory – with no proverbial “ceiling” in sight. Now, the revolution in luggage rates can no longer be contained by borders: late last month, overseas operators American, US Airways, and Continental announced they’ll be applying the checked-bag charges to all transatlantic flights (Delta was the first in July) – with the only straggler, United, finally joining the ranks last week. Read the rest of this post »

Delta, US Airways, Continental, American, United, and even budget airline Southwest have all jumped on the fare-hike bandwagon over the course of the past several weeks, bringing about a $10 fare increase (each way) for their domestic routes. Delta has also announced a $10 to $40 rate increase (each way) for select international flights. While consumers had been enjoying significantly reduced fares compared to the highs seen in 2008, airlines’ battle with rising jet fuel prices and drops in business travel have led to this response.

What would you suggest airlines do to cut costs without raising fares?

Lately, instead of getting away to exotic locales, many people are opting for a cost efficient “staycation” that’s closer-to-home. As a result, further off locales like Hawaii have been witnessing a large drop in tourism  – to counter that, airlines have been dramatically lowering rates of late.

Case in point: US Airways has just announced a fare sale to America’s tropical playground starting from just $313 round-trip for travel through June 25. Normally, when our editors come across low rates such as these, it is based on flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu. However, this fare sale also includes fares from over 25 U.S. cities to Oahu, Maui, Kona, and Kauai. This offer ends May 20.

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Thai Airways is rolling out the red carpet for business-class passengers by offering a complimentary overnight hotel stay in Bangkok, Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin, Phuket, Pattaya, or Chiang Mai. Economy class passengers can also receive a free hotel stay if they book the Royal Orchids Holidays program, which includes 3-night hotel accommodations and airfare starting from $1,167. This offer is valid through October 31 at over 100 hotels in Thailand. In addition, passengers flying from Los Angeles can also receive a free domestic flight to be used within Thailand when traveling before May 20. (We love it when airlines play nice.)

Flying to and from Hong Kong in Cathay Pacific’s plush Business Class pods was a dream, mostly because the seats go completely flat, allowing for true horizontal slumber (check out the new seats here). From now until April 30, you can sleep in these Biz Class seats for 15-percent off (or in First Class for 5-percent off) published roundtrip fares from the U.S. to Hong Kong. You can also sleep soundly once you arrive in Hong Kong, with two free nights at either the Four Seasons or the Intercontinental Hotel. The lower fares are only available for outbound travel from March 1 to April 30, 2009 on Cathay Pacific’s Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York JFK flights. Tickets can be purchased by calling Cathay Pacific’s reservation line at 1-877-707-2742 and requesting the “Hotel Offer.” Hotel stays must occur between March 1 and April 30, 2009. Visit www.cathaypacific.com/us for complete terms and conditions.

See Cathay Pacific’s business class TV commercial after the jump. Read the rest of this post »

In December, JetBlue rolled out a new program called JetPaws that’s designed to improve the experience of flying with pets. It’s intended for dogs and cats small enough to ride in the main cabin, which means not more than 20 pounds (including the weight of the carrier). After paying JetBlue’s standard pet fee ($100 each way), travelers can sign up for the free program and receive a pet carrier tag, a guide to travel “petiquette,” and an e-booklet that lists pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks, and animal hospitals in JetBlue’s major cities. Read the rest of this post »

Most of us who have had to fork over a buck or two for bottled water or coffee on US Airways – the only major domestic airline to implement such a charge (back in August of 2008) – would agree that it was one of the hardest of the new “à la carte” airlines fees to swallow. Happily, the airline announced today that, beginning March 1, it will reinstate complimentary beverages on all of its flights. Read the rest of this post »