American just made it cheaper to travel with bikes, surfboards, skis and tubas

American Airlines is eliminating its hefty oversize bag fees for large sports equipment and musical instruments ahead of the summer travel season.

From USA Today
By Dawn Gilbertson

Passengers checking items including surfboards, skis and bikes will now pay standard checked bag fees instead of an oversize bag fee of $150 each way on domestic flights. The fine print: like all checked bags, the items must not weigh more than 50 pounds or overweight bag fees of$150 for those items will kick in, though fees may vary.

The savings are significant: American charges $30 each way for the first checked bag and $40 for a second checked bag.

American said the new policy, which takes effect immediately, was based on feedback from customers and employees.

It also likely was a competitive move. Alaska Airlines eliminated a $75 surcharge for oversized sports equipment in 2017 and last year United Airlines cut the fees for surfboards on nonstop flights to and from California

American said certain oversize items, including antlers, hang gliders, scuba tanks and kite/windsurfing gear, will still be subject to the flat $150 fee because they require special handling.

Read the full article here