If you fly Porter, your trip is about to get more expensive as they start charging for the first checked bag for flights within Canada. While these fees have become common in the US and on Canadian flights into the US, Porter is the first to introduce these fees on domestic flights – and it looks like WestJet will follow.
The first piece of luggage will cost $25, the second $35-40 and subsequent checked bags will be $100+. There are added fees if your checked baggage is overweight, this is the fee for checking the baggage only. These fees apply to flights leaving May 14th or later if you booked after April 21st. Previously, Canadians paid $20-23 for the second checked bag so this is a huge increase to the cost of your trip.
Click here to see the new fees. Will this impact your choice to fly with Porter?
I don’t mind paying the fees. I mind about the noobs who will overpack carry on bags with the kitchen sink in there so they don’t have to pay the baggage fee. This is why there is no carry on space on the plane anymore and how delicate items that should really be carry on get smashed: because some one threw their anvil on top of your computer in the overhead.
When I fliy Poret it is usually for a weekend trip so it won’t be a problem for me because I take on a small carry on. That being said – if I were going on a longer trip where I needed more luggage. Just the cost of travel and doing business I suppose.
That being said, I just spent six weeks in South America and their airlines still allow two pieces of luggage and the ticket prices were very reasonable.
All this does, and I can be totally off base here, is make doemstic travel less appealing that international – if you are able to do so.
Cheers. LW
@Lee domestic travel is already unappealing because of the high fares in this country. And it is really a shame. When airfare to Europe is the same as airfare to Vancouver, guess where I’m going?
Everywhere I’ve travelled in the world, people are astonished that I haven’t seen much of Canada but have been around to a lot of countries. When I tell them the cost reason, they get it
Yup domestic fare in Canada is ridiculous due to lack of competition. Toronto to London or Paris is often cheaper than Toronto to Vancouver..lol
US internal flights are much much cheaper..hence people drive to Buffalo , Seattle etc from Canada & take a US domestic flight from there, when they have to fly to US from Canada 🙁
@TJ the government here should really figure out all the money they’re losing from Canadians who drive over to Buffalo/Seattle/Vermont/Wherever in USA to get cheaper flights. Think of all the airplane taxes that could be staying in Canada, but instead their high taxes are forcing people to go get cheaper rates in other countries.
@torontogal part of it is the govt mandated fees in Canada are fairly high too, we charge airlines more so I don’t think the government cares
Start charging? The fee has been in effect since April 21!
It goes into effect May 14th for bookings made after April 21st
Yes, it’s going to change how I travel. I’m not paying an extra $60 because I dare to travel with a suitcase. I complained on the Porter facebook page and they gave me a song and dance about using the gate check in, but unless security is going to start letting people through with standard toiletries and things like razors it’s not very workable.
Everyone should be allowed one free bag. I flew with Allegiant last month and they charge for bags AND carry on. Quite ridiculous. So you end up paying $50/bag EACH way AND/OR $30/carry on EACH way. Tickets aren’t so cheap when you take that into consideration.
They are just trying to increase their profits like all the others. Like cows
they follow each other …can’t you think on your own! With all the restrictions on what you carry on , I always have to check a suitcase. Why charge extra for a second bag? Why is one bag not worth the same as the other? They certainly doesn’t pay the baggage handler more money.If you travel where there will be varied temperatures , you have to pack more. People who travel light , generally don’t change clothes enough and sometimes you can tell. I don’t want to sit on their butt ooze. It’s the greedy money grubbers at the top as usual.Why did Air Crapola go from 2 free chk’d bags to none? I think they should be ashamed of their greed. I’m driving on my next vay cay …..so there. And guess what? I’ll save on a car rental too. Don’t start me on that bunch…..they are worse! But as long as people pay, they’ll keep adding it. Be warned overweight people, they will discriminate in the future. Even the planes are ordered with such small bathrooms to cram in an extra seat, you pee in tight quarters which is why so many people miss. Very unhealthy.
Airlines & banks charge too much.