TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Jet Blue Changes

Well, we knew it was coming.....

I was just on the JB website looking for any news about the next segment of ticketing dates and while I didn't find anything about that, I did see that the much talked about 'free shipped bag' changes are currently posted and will pertain to most tickets purchased June 30 or later. If you're currently holding tickets purchased prior to this date, the old baggage rules of one free shipped bag pp will still apply. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat--sorry, 'shipped bag'?? Do you mean 'checked bag'??

Sorry about that, and yes I did mean 'checked bag' as opposed to shipped. I guess the term 'shipped' could easily have a very different meaning to many......

Yes, I would never do it in a million years, but I guess some people do send bags fed ex or whatever.

Pat -- I checked and there are three tiers, Blue, Blue Plus and Blue Flex or something similar in name. The price for dates I looked at comparing Blue which is no free checked bag to Blue Plus which includes one free checked bag was a price difference of $15. Better than getting the Blue fare and having to pay $35 for checking a bag.

We bought our inbound tickets on 6/28 when one free check in bag was still available. Our roundtrip fare each is mid $400s, currently the roundtrip fare for same timeframe is $620 using Blue Plus tier, which gets you a free checked bag in both directions.

It's been quite a while now since I've 'shipped' items such as cartons or luggage internationally via FedEx, but as I recall, the paperwork required was quite extensive and the costs were what I think most people would consider totally prohibitive. Once was enough and only because we had no other alternative.

If traveling with luggage in the first place, it would quite probably be more logical price wise to pay the fee for an extra bag for an international trip, rather than consider 'shipping' it via an international shipper such as FedEx or UPS, I'm thinking.

I think DHL may be a little easier and less expensive, but not by much as I think about it. Where's Todd when I need him? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I wonder if using a JB credit card to purchase tickets gives any benefits like the free bag? Delta offers that perk.

I saw nothing to indicate that

We are trying to figure out a way to not check any bag and just use carryons. The liquids are the only thing we worry about as a lot are over the minimum size.

Just bring enough for your first few days, and purchase more on the island.

Thanks Jet Blue! Another reason for people to try to bring steamer trunks as carry-ons. This will just hold up the boarding as everyone tries to jam their oversized suitcases in the ever shrinking overheads.
I'm grumpy!!

All flights we have ever been on also have a weight limit for carry-on luggage although our hand luggage has only been weighed a couple of times over the years.

For $15 for a checked bag I won't lose any sleep

Right..

We paid for more room seats; this may also give you a free checked bag. I will have to check, but I did book before the charge started.

While I hate being nickeled and dimed, I played on the website and an extra 15 for he first bag isn't a big deal.

Exactly..

If they started charging for carry on luggage and have the checked luggage free, that would solve all the problems with over sized bags in the passenger area. Some airlines have been talking about doing this, so we might see it in the future.They would allow a purse or beach bag for essentials like medication and a case for a computer. Everything else would go on checked luggage.

Right..

I agree. But I thought it was $20 1st bag $35 2nd bag. Like the $15 better. For a moment I thought I was going to have to go back to using compression bags for my tiny carry-on.

If the carry-on rules for quantity, size, and 1 in the overhead and the rest under the seat were enforced there wouldn't be a problem. Checked luggage requires manpower and more fuel so I don't see the problem of paying for it, reasonable carry-on saves time and money for both the passengers and the airlines.

I am curious as to why they are making the change now. I understood the need to charge for luggage when airlines were attempting to offset higher oil prices. However, oil is significantly cheaper now so I struggle with the justification.

Color me clueless as I am the same guy who does not understand why most toll booths continue to exist long after the initial construction costs are paid for...

The justification for both instances mentioned is more cash....

The first bag is $20 if paid online with the booking. $25 at the counter and the second bag is $35 regardless.

The $15 is coming from the 2nd tier ticket which includes one bag free. Will see how that really plays out. Also the higher fare class is each way of course.

Not sure I know what you mean here....

Tiers are Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Flex with the main difference in the 1st two being the "free" checked bag...but...in playing with destinations and dates this $15 can vary all the way up to $30 depending on the flight...

...so it's not a set $15 between tiers

Frontier has been doing this for years

Seems to me it's sort of like 1:1 on the island. Best to just look at the bottom line to make your decision.

Let's just hope they don't follow Spirit and charge for both carry-on and checked.

Exactly, Georgia.
It's all about the bottom line, and airlines are finally making money with higher fess and fuller flights; less in the way of comfort and customer service.
For those of us who cannot afford first class, I think we just have to suck it up and pay.

OK, beat me up, but Spirits plan works. If more airlines would charge for carry one, more people would check bags and the boarding process would be much easier. The ones who clearly bring in over sized bags (TSA doesn't care) and free gate check are the one who ruin it for everyone. Spirit gets me to the islands for $99 or less from Miami. I can buy my own water and pay the $25 for the carry on happily. Sometimes we evem pop for the BIG FRont SEAT for $50 extra, still puts us at $175 for a first class seat.

During a recent trip to France we had to do the security line thing after checking in at CDG. While we moved along the Disneyland-like serpentine line there were security agents stationed at the turns.

One of their duties was to keep an eye on carry on bags and FREQUENTLY took people out of line to measure their bags. If the bags didn't fit in the sizing box they were sent back to check in to deal with it.

The end result was NO large or heavy carry on bags at the gates.

In the USA the policies are in place but, for whatever reason, they are hardly ever enforced. They have no problem charging for a bag that is a few pounds overweight but a carry on the size of a Smart car seems to be OK.

We fly Jet Blue every time , just take carry ons that fit in the over head compartment and I never see a problem boarding. They start boarding with the people in the back of the plane and work their way forward. Simple, efficient and fast. The boarding process could not be any easier. Jet Blue makes sure you do not board with an oversize carry on.

It's not TSA's job to check bag size, it's the airlines that are responsible to make sure oversize bags are not carried on.

sounds like you were flying Ryan Air, they are notorious for their baggage police.

Nope...Air France...but it wouldn't matter since it was the security line I referenced

Our experience too Captain. After discovering JB we hardly ever fly any other airline. Our upcoming trip to Kansas City, MO will be on Southwest because JB doesn't fly there direct (or maybe not at all, can't remember) and I am NOT looking forward to it.

Just suck it up and pay the $12.50 when you buy your ticket for early boarding and you will be fine..if you do not then there might be some added aggravation.. .two free checked bags if you need them

We just flew SWA to CLT last week from PVD and it was fine...

These are Air France employees stationed on the security line checking the weight and size of the bags. Not TCA Air France carries a lot of freight so their weight limits are close to full and every pound counts.

Very well could have been AF people doing the checks but I would think the weight would be the same if the bags were checked vs. carried on.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Yes you have a good point. I was flagged in Paris and had to cheek a bag because it was too heavy. Not too big, just heavy

I will no longer pay extra after finding out Jet Blue pays for only one dedicated TSA agent in Boston. Twice that line went slower than the others. When I asked why the agent told me that and if I wanted to change lines I could. Half the line followed.

Comment was regarding a SWA flight