Jump to content

The American Airlines Golf Club Bag Ripoff Charge


Recommended Posts

I met a golfer yesterday who flew in from out of state and he told me that American Airlines has a sneaky tactic to extract more money from you. He told me that when he checked in his golf bag, he was asked if there are clothes in it. He answered yes, given that he has rain gear and other layers in it, and they screwed him over by charging him an extra $200 for carrying clothes in his golf bag.

 

My question is this. Is this exclusively an American Airlines charge, or does this apply to all airlines?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 28
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Here are the weasel words from the AA website.

 

> You’ll be charged the same fee as the 1st or 2nd bag fee of your destination. If you have excess bags, you’ll be charged the excess fee for each item you travel with.

>

> If you are traveling to, through or from Brazil, you’ll be charged $42.50 for your golf equipment.

>

> If the golf bag contains anything other than the approved items then additional oversize and overweight charges will apply. You may be asked to open your bag at the airport.

 

I just checked Air Canada (going to Ireland in 4 weeks) and their policy states that you can carry extra clubs and balls once you aren't over 50lb.

United has a similar "non-golfing equipment" clause to AA.

Ping G430 LST 10.5* : Ventus Red TR 7S

Titleist TSR2 4W : Tensei 1K Black 85-S

Mizuno CLK 19*: Ventus Blue HB-8S

Srixon ZX Utility #4: Nippon Modus3 125-S

Wilson Staff CB 5-PW : Nippon Modus3 125-S

Cleveland Zipcore 50, 54, 58: Nippon Modus3 125-S 

Piretti Potenza 370g : Breakthrough Technology Stability Shaft - 34"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Almost all airlines have a pretty specific definition of what "golf clubs" are. JetBlue defines it as 14 clubs, 3 balls, one pair of shoes.

I've never encountered any issue with a golf bag that had bona fide "gear" (rain gear, more than a dozen balls, etc.) in it, but the airlines put the policy in place to give themselves discretion in people jamming a ton of stuff into golf bags (which traditionally have not had extra baggage fees).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the good old airlines, always ALWAYS looking for a way to screw you over on charges of any sort

One of the best things about taking clubs is the ability to stuff shoes and extra stuff in the travel bag

Ping G400 LST 11* Ventus Black TR 5x

Ping G400 3w 15.1* GD AD IZ 5x

Ping G400 7w 19.5* Ventus Red 6x 

Ping G425 4h 22* Blueboard HY 80x

Ping i210 6i & s55 7i - PW Steelfiber 110s

Ping Glide Wrx 49*, 54*, 59*ES, Tour W 64* SF 125s

EvnRoll ER9
 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I fly generally Southwest domestic and Norwegian internationally. Southwest is an airline that treats your golf bag as just a bag, you can put anything in it so long as it stays under weight limits (or if you can’t, no one has ever mentioned anything about it.) Norwegian, on the other hand will charge you extra for carrying golf clubs as opposed to a regular bag of the same dimensions, and impose fees for carrying other than golf equipment.

 

I have looked at many airlines and their policies vary between the extremes. Most often they seem out to screw you, but in general I think the average check-in agent is looking to move the line along. I deadpanned to a Norwegian ticket agent that my travel case had my clothes in it and said nothing about golf clubs, and she said ok and charged me for a regular piece of baggage instead of the ridiculous $40 you have golf clubs fee. It really depends on the day, but just be ready to be blindsided or have some backup plan. I would be tempted to answer “Do you have any clothes in that bag” with “Just have golf equipment in there” and see where it goes. I don’t think the NTSB report will cite an undeclared 5 iron as a contributing factor after the crash...

 

 

Edit:

Peculiarly, in my case my clubs in their hard case often wind up smaller than the maximum baggage size limit (62” according to the AA website) and are under the max bag weight (50lb) and so (apart from contents) meet the limitations on a standard checked bag. It really irks me that my bag, is fine to fly, but because it contains forged ingots glued to extruded tubes taped to rubber sleeves, suddenly I need to pay more... anyway this circles back to why I will happily take a 3-stopper on Southwest over some of the other carriers...

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the warning. Ever since the 50 lb. limit became the standard, I never even considered the restrictions were still in place for golf bags. I think a lot has to do with where you are departing from. Ticket agents that aren’t used to seeing particular sports equipment, seem to be more “by the book”. Or maybe the agent was not in a good mood. When in doubt, curbside is a good option. A generous tip usually eliminates minor issues.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bottom line is that you're probably at the mercy of the ticket agent and local crew if you pack clothes or other non-golf items in your travel bag. If the policy and ticket contract say they can charge you extra, it's really kind of hard to say you've been "screwed" if in fact they do.

 

FWIW, I just returned from a trip on United where I put my laundry and winter coat into my golf travel bag. No problems. I regard myself as fortunate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As some of you may already know, I will be going to Scotland in June to play golf. We will be taking British Airways and this is what their website says on the matter.

 

You can take your golf equipment as part of your checked baggage, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. This bag can be up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).

If you carry your golf umbrella or parasol separately it will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance.

 

British Airways is a partner airline of American Airlines, and I worry that they may pull a fast one on me and my friends when we arrive at the airport.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @EmperorPenguin said:

> As some of you may already know, I will be going to Scotland in June to play golf. We will be taking British Airways and this is what their website says on the matter.

>

> You can take your golf equipment as part of your checked baggage, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. This bag can be up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).

> If you carry your golf umbrella or parasol separately it will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance.

>

> British Airways is a partner airline of American Airlines, and I worry that they may pull a fast one on me and my friends when we arrive at the airport.

 

This is not hard. If they ask you the question, just tell them "No, I only have golf equipment". They don't check.

 

Airlines work under a contract of carriage. They aren't pulling a fast one on you. The rules are very clear and choosing to ignore that is on the flyer, not the airline. There's no ripoff here. Don't overthink it. Somehow I've managed to play golf in 29 countries and 45 states with over 1,000,000 miles flown with golf clubs and I've never once been charged for extra. Why? Common sense and reading/understanding the rules. BTW, I'm a million miler on DL (2MM+) and AA (1.8MM) and thus I speak with pretty high confidence on these issues.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't done so since mid 2018, but I used to take my clubs as checked baggage in a soft case on American about once a month for many years. Must be a recent change if anything. I always packed in clothes, dress shoes, misc. items but always made sure it was under 50lbs total before leaving home. I was never charged anything extra beyond the standard bag fee or asked to open it at the check-in counter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @EmperorPenguin said:

> I met a golfer yesterday who flew in from out of state and he told me that American Airlines has a sneaky tactic to extract more money from you. He told me that when he checked in his golf bag, he was asked if there are clothes in it. He answered yes, given that he has rain gear and other layers in it, and they screwed him over by charging him an extra $200 for carrying clothes in his golf bag.

>

> My question is this. Is this exclusively an American Airlines charge, or does this apply to all airlines?

 

What if you have golf balls in your regular luggage? Would they want to charge extra?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @EmperorPenguin said:

> As some of you may already know, I will be going to Scotland in June to play golf. We will be taking British Airways and this is what their website says on the matter.

>

> You can take your golf equipment as part of your checked baggage, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. This bag can be up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).

> If you carry your golf umbrella or parasol separately it will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance.

>

> British Airways is a partner airline of American Airlines, and I worry that they may pull a fast one on me and my friends when we arrive at the airport.

 

I am based in UK and have probably taken clubs on BA flights at least 100 times over the years including many transatlantic flights, Australia, Cape Town, Oz and Mexico. I have never ever had a problem or even been asked about the content of my golf travel bag. It is always stuffed to the weight limit with clothes, shoes, wash bag etc......

PXG Gen 2 X MCA Diamana BF
Callaway Epic 15* GD AD I
Callaway Epic Hybrid 20* GD AD I
Mizuno JPX 900 Forged/ Hot Metal Combo 5-9
Ping Glide 2.0 46/50/54/58
Scotty Cameron Circa 5
Bridgestone BX

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ive only flown a handful of times all with american but never been asked the clothes question. Seems like the golfer you met was the exception and not the norm. That being said as long as you don't go over the weight limit just say there is nothing in it but golf stuff. I cant think of anyone who has ever had to open their bag at the counter unless its overweight but worst case scenario is they open it and you move some stuff around and say you forgot you put clothes in there. its not like theyre going to not let you on the flight for lying about having clothes in a checked bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

What a load of garbage. First, I love Southwest for this very reason. But I know I cant always fly them (but I try hard not to) and that everyone else can't or may not have a choice. But I did fly United a couple of weeks back and a few times last year. Each time taking my clubs. $30. Never an issue, and always make sure to keep the bag below 50 lbs.

Woods: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS 9*, Ventus Blue 6S / TM Stealth Plus+, 15*, MCA Diamana Thump 75S
Hybrid: PXG 0317 X Proto 3H & 4H, Ventus Blue 7S

Irons: Takomo IRON 101, 5-PW, Accra T90i S
Wedges: Cleveland CBX ZipCore  48* Accra T90i S, 53* & 58*, Accra T100i S
Putter: Evnroll ER 1.2, Tour KBS GPS, 33",
 SuperStroke MidSlim 2.0
Ball: Maxfli Tour
Bag/Cart: '20 Nike Air Hybrid 2 / Clicgear 4.0 / Alphard Club Booster V2 / V2 Swivel Kit
Accessories: Arccos 360 / Garmin G80 / Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thats insane. I fly Alaska at least 6 or 7 just in the last year and they haven't asked me about anything else in my golf bag. Hopefully they don't also start to do it. Hawaiian airlines either.

TM Qi10 LS - Ventus Blue 6X

TM Stealth 2+ 3W - Ventus Blue TR 7X

Titleist TSi3 3H - Tensei Pro White 100TX

Titleist T150 - KBS Tour 130X

Titleist Vokey SM6 Raw (50, 54) - DG S400

Vokey SM9 Black Raw - S400

Bettinardi Queen B #15

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @EmperorPenguin said:

> As some of you may already know, I will be going to Scotland in June to play golf. We will be taking British Airways and this is what their website says on the matter.

>

> You can take your golf equipment as part of your checked baggage, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. This bag can be up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).

> If you carry your golf umbrella or parasol separately it will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance.

>

> British Airways is a partner airline of American Airlines, and I worry that they may pull a fast one on me and my friends when we arrive at the airport.

 

Oh brother, just leave your parasol at home.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I fly AA with my clubs and was never asked this. Then again i usually use the kiosk. As long as its under 50lbs its fine.

Callaway Rogue ST MAX LS 9*

Callaway Rogue ST LS 15*
Callaway Apex 18*

Titleist T150 4-GW
Titleist Vokey SM9 54* | 60*

Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's my thoughts...every pound costs $ in terms of fuel, so creating the policy helps save them money, even if it only acts as a deterrent to keep 10% of applicable travelers from bringing the extra jackets, shoes, etc, - who stuff the bag full just because they can.

 

Also, with the long and not so friendly history airlines have with damaging clubs (or other more nefarious actions) - I feel like this could be their loophole to get out of a claim, if the bags were not packed in accordance with their policy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just flew AA, I was never asked that question. Definitely had some clothing and other non-golf related items in the golf bag, but was under 50lbs, so maybe that is why there wasn't an issue. Although, they did break off the top handle of my hard case on my return flight. We will see how the damage claim goes, fingers crossed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> @EmperorPenguin said:

> I met a golfer yesterday who flew in from out of state and he told me that American Airlines has a sneaky tactic to extract more money from you. He told me that when he checked in his golf bag, he was asked if there are clothes in it. He answered yes, given that he has rain gear and other layers in it, and they screwed him over by charging him an extra $200 for carrying clothes in his golf bag.

>

> My question is this. Is this exclusively an American Airlines charge, or does this apply to all airlines?

 

Yeah that sounds like a unique scenario. He should see if he can get some type of voucher for that charge.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

> @spineshank said:

> I fly AA with my clubs and was never asked this. Then again i usually use the kiosk. As long as its under 50lbs its fine.

 

I am flying AA tomorrow first time. Great idea to use the kiosk. My wife is bringing her clubs too. We will tag and then I will make her handle first contact with the enemy since she smiles and talks very nice to people. I work for a living so I am not as pleasant dealing with fishy policies.

G425 LST 

G425 Max 14.5* 

G425 19* Hybrid 

TM P7MC 4-PW

RTX Zipcore 50*/54*/58*

PING Sigma2 Anser

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just got back from flying down to Mexico with clubs last week. I had my clubs, 3 pairs of golf clothes (from hats to shorts to socks, etc.) and the total bag weighed 38 pounds. On the way back, I put almost all of my dirty laundry in the bag and it was 45 pounds (under the 50 lb limit). Neither time was I questioned about what was inside (other than hazardous materials) and was not forced to pay anything more than my $30 checked bag fee. Sounds like OP situation is an exception, not the rule.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Different gate agents interpret the rules differently. When I fly SWA out of Hobby in Houston, they never ask me to sign a waiver for a soft travel bag, never. But last week I went from Houston to New Orleans, the NO agent made me sign a waiver. I would have to do that from time to time at Columbus. So policies are not always equally interpreted or enforced.

Woods: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS 9*, Ventus Blue 6S / TM Stealth Plus+, 15*, MCA Diamana Thump 75S
Hybrid: PXG 0317 X Proto 3H & 4H, Ventus Blue 7S

Irons: Takomo IRON 101, 5-PW, Accra T90i S
Wedges: Cleveland CBX ZipCore  48* Accra T90i S, 53* & 58*, Accra T100i S
Putter: Evnroll ER 1.2, Tour KBS GPS, 33",
 SuperStroke MidSlim 2.0
Ball: Maxfli Tour
Bag/Cart: '20 Nike Air Hybrid 2 / Clicgear 4.0 / Alphard Club Booster V2 / V2 Swivel Kit
Accessories: Arccos 360 / Garmin G80 / Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's the exact opposite of this story.

 

We just flew back from Ireland last weekend from Shannon. Checked two bags at the counter, one regular and one golf bag, and got charged $0 by the agent even though the second bag should have been a charge. Thanks AerLingus!

Ping G430 LST 10.5* : Ventus Red TR 7S

Titleist TSR2 4W : Tensei 1K Black 85-S

Mizuno CLK 19*: Ventus Blue HB-8S

Srixon ZX Utility #4: Nippon Modus3 125-S

Wilson Staff CB 5-PW : Nippon Modus3 125-S

Cleveland Zipcore 50, 54, 58: Nippon Modus3 125-S 

Piretti Potenza 370g : Breakthrough Technology Stability Shaft - 34"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Discussion and links to Photos
      Please put any questions or Comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Thorbjorn Olesen - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ben Silverman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jesse Droemer - SoTX PGA Section POY - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      David Lipsky - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Martin Trainer - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Zac Blair - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jacob Bridgeman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Trace Crowe - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jimmy Walker - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Daniel Berger - WITB(very mini) - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Chesson Hadley - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Callum McNeill - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Rhein Gibson - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Patrick Fishburn - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Peter Malnati - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Raul Pereda - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Tom Hoge's custom Cameron - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Piretti putters - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ping putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Kevin Dougherty's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Bettinardi putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Tony Finau's new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
       
      • 7 replies
    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies

×
×
  • Create New...