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OpenThread / Checked Baggage Fees / Luggage / → All Tags

Are You More Inclined to Stay at a Hotel That Pays Your Checked Baggage Fees?

Virgin America joined the ranks of airlines that are increasing checked baggage fees last week, thereby pissing off already cash-strapped travelers. But you may receive financial aid at hotels, since some of them are picking up the baggage tab.

Washington, D.C., hotels The Dupont and The Normandy will credit your account for the baggage costs, with a $50 max, if you stay two or more nights through June 30. Kimpton's We've Got Your Bag promotion gives you a room credit for one bag, up to $25, and the offer is ongoing at the company's hotels.

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Luggage / Kor Hotels / Los Angeles Hotels / Checked Baggage Fees / → All Tags

Three Hip LA Hotels Are Picking Up Your Checked Baggage Fees

Poolside at the Chamberlain.

Good news for weary travelers sick of the airline drama that continues to plague our nation. Three boutique hotels in Los Angeles are picking up the tab for your checked bags.

The Chamberlain Hotel in West Hollywood and The Avalon Hotel and Maison 140 in Beverly Hills have launched a Money Bags promotion:

Catering to travelers unwilling to compromise their jet-set lifestyle, these trend-setting hotels will lighten guests' stress-load by reimbursing one-hundred percent of the charges incurred by airlines for extra baggage fees, up to seventy-five dollars in hotel credit, per reservation.

Sounds good to us! The offer is good through December 28, 2008. Use promotion code "money" when making phone reservations or use code "Money Bags" when booking online. And one final note: Airline-issued proof of fee payment required at check-in; receipt date must correspond with reservation dates.

Room rates at these hotel start at around $229 a night.

Loyalty Program News / Marriott Rewards / Marriott Hotels / Luggage / → All Tags

Hotel Loyalty Program News: Marriott Rewards Lets You Ship Your Luggage

While it's not quite a cash-back incentive for travelers who have to pay the new checked baggage fees, Marriott's loyalty program, Marriott Rewards has teamed up with The Luggage Club to allow its members to use their points to ship luggage.

Travelers' baggage can be picked up at their home, office or location of choice and delivered to their final travel destination, and returned again at the end of their trip. Plus, The Luggage Club has no limits on size, weight or number of pieces that can be shipped.

The Luggage Club however is not cheap. We checked rates to ship a 70lb upright bag from LA to NJ and the cheapest rate was about $245. And that was for our bag to be in transit for five days on either end of the trip.

Marriott Rewards points can be used as gift cards in increments of $50, $100, $250 and $500. So you might not be able to pay for all of that bag shipping but you can probably get a nice discount.

Amelia Island Hotels / Luggage / Checked Baggage Fees / → All Tags

Hotels On Amelia Island Offering Guests Room Credit for Checked Baggage Fees

As we are all slowly adjusting to the horrendous nature of checked baggage fees on major airlines, hotels on Amelia Island are trying to ease the pain a bit.

In an effort to get more visitors to Florida in what is typically called the off season, Amelia Island has created a "Pack Your Bags for Amelia Island" program that includes a room credit up to $80 for checked baggage fees.

The "Pack Your Bags" program is being offered at several of the island's hotels, resorts and bed-and-breakfast inns, and is available through September 30, 2008 on stays of three or more nights at the participating hotels.

At check-in, guests must show the original receipt from the airline, proving the amount they paid in checked baggage fees.

Go here for the full list of participating hotels.

Kimpton Hotels / Hotel News / Luggage / Hotel Services / Checked Baggage Fees / → All Tags

Kimpton Already Offering Guests Cash Back for Checked Baggage Fees

Looks like the Loews Hotel group was beat to the punch with the checked baggage fees promotion which they announced yesterday.

The consistent do-gooder of the hotel world, Kimpton Hotels started offering guests cash back for their checked baggage fees on May 22 in a new service called the "We Got Your Bag" program.

Beginning May 22 through Sept. 9, guests need simply to show proof of an additional airline baggage charge upon check in at any one of Kimpton's 43 hotels in the U.S. and Canada, and a room credit will be issued in that amount, up to $25, offsetting the pass-along cost to air travelers.  Some restrictions apply.

Interestingly, the hotel group made the announcement on April 23, a full month before American Airlines decided to stick passengers with a $15 for the first checked bag ($25 for the second.) This is because they were trying to relieve customers who had to check a second bag and were dinged with the fees. Now it applies to all of us who check a bag.

Know of another hotel offering cash back for checked airline baggage? Let us know.

Loews Hotels / Hotel News / Luggage / Hotel Services / Checked Baggage Fees / → All Tags

Good News: Loews Hotels To Reimburse Guests for Checked Baggage Fees

Where the airlines have failed travelers--American Airlines is now charging $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second--hotels have come to the rescue. At least the Loews Hotels brand has.

Arriving guests need only present any airline bag fee receipt at the front desk to receive the rebate, which will be issued in the form of a credit to their bill at check-out.

The Baggage Buy Back rebate is available at Loews' 18 properties in the U.S. and Canada, beginning June 15 through Labor Day, September 1, 2008.

Loews Hotels will offer credit for up to two bags for a maximum of $30 per occupied room per stay.

This is not the only time hotels have picked up after the airlines. Some hotels like Omni Hotels, were quick to offer guests toiletries back in 2006 when liquids were suddenly restricted on airlines.

Now let's hope more and more hotels follow Loews footsteps.