American Airlines changes military baggage rules
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
From peanuts to pillows, new airline add-on fees are frustrating many fliers.
But when people learned American and other airlines charged soldiers $100 for extra gear bag--that really ruffled some feathers.
Now American has changed its policy. Effective immediately they are eliminating almost all excess baggage fees for soldiers.
Whether they're going or coming from a warzone, or even going on vacation with their families, American will no longer charge active-duty military members for a third checked bag.
One airline observer said, "This has been a PR nightmare for American. They have been absolutely slammed online and on some of the cable shows."
American admits the bad publicity prompted the change. Tim Smith, American Airlines said, "Because some of the media coverage it did become a topic of conversation internally and externally and made us focus a little more on the issue."
But American and even some outside experts say the airline got a bad rap. Soldiers could always check their first and second bags for free. Smith said, "A lot of people thought, indeed, soldiers traveling had to pay this and eat the price of it when it fact they can be and are reimbursed."
The problem is it took awhile to get their money back from the military, so American decided simply to waive the fee entirely.
A move that's now bringing some good PR.
