Another Fine Mess

Those of you who fly know that the airlines have joined the ranks of extortionists: that despicable group of people who want to charge for everything they can think of. I don’t know about you, but boycotting them and others is something I’m considering. Between the US security and charges for using the toilet, you’d think they’d rather you just stayed at home. It’s an idea, you know.

Jonnelle Marte, in an article entitled “How to Beat Baggage Fees” makes a number of suggestions on how to transport your baggage without additional charges. The trouble is that whatever you don’t pay when you check-in, you’ve already forfeited before you even bought the ticket. We’re talking loyalty cards here, and the weird thing is that airlines appreciate your business so much that they’ll slap another $249 charge on your credit card just for the privilege of having it. (If this really excites you, I’ll make a few cards for you to carry around for the knock-down price of $50 or $100, depending on the color you choose. The cost of owning a credit card, in case anyone has forgotten, is in the interest that you pay on the balance.

Anyway, here’s an example of what I mean.  The United Airlines credit card costs $249 per year. In return for that fee, you and eight other companions can check up to two bags each on any given flight. Let’s say that you and your extended family decided to fly to Colorado to go skiing over Christmas. (If you can afford to do this, you probably don’t care about extra costs for your bags or the fee.) $249 divided by 18 bags equals $13.83 per bag, a savings of $11.17 on each bag. The usual price is $25 per bag. If there were only five of you, however, you’d save ten cents on each bag. That’s right. A dime. Of course, five of you could do this twice in one year, or one of you could still break even if you flew on five occasions in a year. I know that some business people do this routinely, but the majority of them are having their expenses paid for by their companies. How many people do you know who fly this often at their own personal expense.

Yea. I couldn’t think of anyone, either.

What’s my point? Do the calculations. Ask yourself when in the past 12 months the criteria that makes the “offer” actually applied to you. If it didn’t, then don’t allow yourself to get seduced by it. You’ll only lose money in the long run.

Bruce Hoag, PhD, CPsychol
Work Psychologist