Just thought I share our recent experiences traveling with surfboards to Puerto Rico on Continential. Three of us went down each with 4 surfboards in our coffins, we all checked in at different times at Newark airport. 1st guy was charged $400, I was charged $65, and 3rd guy charged nothing because they weren't sure if there was room, there was. Just goes to show you that "luck" has everything to do with how you will be charged traveling with boards. My advice, travel with as few boards as possible, plan for the worst , and hope for the best
On my latest trip to california during christmas i couldnt take any boards because they said $100 per board. I had to rent boards wherever I could- it sucked. most shops don't open until 9 and very few allow you to take it to your hotel over night so that meant no dawn patrols! I think JetBlue only charges like 15-20 a board. I flew my boards on JetBlue last year and it was pretty cheap.
Just curious. . . Did the two of you who paid $65 and $0 respectively help soften the $400 hit on the 1st guy, or did he just swallow the expense? And did you write a detailed letter of complaint about the disparity in the charges? I'd love to hear their response if you ever got one.
What part of PR did you stay in, my friends and I are trying to plan a trip in march. Were looking at staying in Rincon area.
That's interesting and efffed up. I'm leaving for PR in two weeks via Continental. I was expecting to pay $100 for each board bag, each way. I have two boards in one bag, so i'm figuring 200 beans total round trip. So what you're saying..Is that your boy got charged per board..not per board bag? If so..that's gonna suck big hairy......! Hopefully luck will be on my side. I like how they tell you these things in advance..NOT! I guess they just make up the rules as they go!
I wrote those bastards over the summer and this is their retarded response...(note the rising fuel costs rhetoric) "...Thank you for contacting Continental Airlines. I certainly understand your frustration with fees being implemented when, in the past, there were no fees for surfboard baggage. In the face of increased operating costs, particularly rising fuel costs, Continental has implemented new fees and increased existing fees. This has taken place over the past few months, as the market environment has become increasingly complimented and difficult. Our goal is to provide our passengers with safe, reliable travel, while remaining a viable entity. Please be assured that I have forwarded your concerns, in detail, to the appropriate members of our senior management team for their review. As we are continually striving to improve the level of service that we provide to our valued customers, your feedback is vitally important to us. We appreciate your e-mail and hope to see you on a future Continental Airlines flight. Regards, Georgia Bargmann Customer Care Manager"
Continental charges $100 one way per bag with up to 2 surfboards. It goes to $400 per bag for up to 3 boards, and $700 for 4 or more boards. Makes no sense at all since 3 boards in one bag doesn't really take up any more space. Just b**sh*t way to jack up the profit margin. Oil just dropped below $35 a barrel. What's their excuse for charging now?
This is the stated policy. It's pretty easy to figure out that traveling with 2 boards is your best bet when flying Contential. You would be safe in figuring that your round trip fees are going to be $200. Yes, they are f***kin crazy to expect someone to pay $700 one way for 4 boards in one coffin. If you are traveling with 2 or more people, and say you're bringing 4 boards, my recommendation would be to pack 2 boards in one smaller case and then put it in a larger coffin with the other 2 boards. If you're lucky, you will get thru with a $100 or less charge. If they open the coffin and want to count boards, then simply check the smaller case seperately from the larger coffin and you're charge $200 each way instead of the $700 quoted online. My experience is that you will get away with a $100 charge at least 50% of the time. Remember to smile and tell the gal checking you in how great she looks today even if she is a beast!!
the airlines have been taking a big hit for the past 5 years or so and many have gone on the verge of bankrupcy, so now that fuel has dropped people wonder why fees and high airfair have not dropped with the fall in fuel prices. Airlines are making up for the money they lost over the past few years by simply keeping fees and prices high. If fuel costs stay down look to see fees and airfair start to slowly go down over the next year or so. That will help with the cost to travel with your boards.
It pays to read the Contract of Carriage, or at least the baggage policies, before booking your "cheap" flight. Continental's policy is as follows so the $400 guys is SOL. Surfboard charges for one bag and - 1 or 2 boards, $100.00; - 3 boards, $400.00; - 4 boards, $700.00 Plus any excess baggage fees that may apply and NTE 70 lbs.
Some airlines charge per board too. Not just per bag. I find the over packing method works fairly decent. I made a bubble wrap sock that fits 2 boards. And I put that in my board bag along with some towels all taped up. I never had anyone unpack my boards to check. They may unzip it and look in. But, they aren't going to rip it all apart to check. At least it never happen to me.
You will need a car to get around, don't even try without one. I am lucky and have friends that own a house which they are kind enough to let me stay at. If you need a place, PM me I can hook you up no problem.
