Dear Delta,
I am writing to request a refund of the $200 "Excess Baggage" fee I was assessed at the Delta ticket counter, San Jose (CA) International Airport on July 23. On said date I flew Delta Flight # 1684 (SJC to ATL), connecting to Delta Flight # 68 (ATL to CPH) to participate in a hockey tournament in Copenhagen, Denmark. I checked in the following baggage items:
1. Suitcase
2. Hockey equipment bag
3. Two (2) hockey sticks held together
Per the below listed policy (http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/baggage_allowance/index. Jsp#checked), I was correctly charged an additional $50 for my second checked bag (comprised of the hockey equipment bag and two hockey sticks).
Checked Baggage—International
Currently when traveling to or from cities outside the United States you can check two bags, per passenger at no extra charge. For customers traveling between the U.S. And Europe for tickets purchased on or after May 23 for travel beginning July 1 customers in economy class will be charged $50 US (or the local equivalent currency) each way for the second checked bag. Exceptions to the second checked bag fee include:
* First and Business Class passengers
* SkyMiles and WorldPerks Elite members (Platinum, Gold, and Silver)
* Active duty military members traveling on orders
* Passengers who purchased tickets prior to May 23
* Passengers who are confirmed on a Full Y class Economy ticket.
However, much to my surprise and dismay, I was also charged a $200 Excess Baggage fee for the two (2) hockey sticks held together. The ticket person unknowingly stated that the $200 charge for the hockey sticks were considered "special baggage". However, when I checked the Delta website after arriving at Copenhagen and prior to my return trip to San Jose, CA., there was no information justifying the $200 Excess Baggage fee charge.in fact, what I found was alarmingly contradictory of what the ticket person represented to me — Delta's policy regarding charges for "hockey equipment" reads as follows (quoting Delta Contract of Carriage located at http://images. Delta.com. Edgesuite.net/delta/pdfs/contract_of_carriage_intl. Pdf — underlining added for emphasis):
"Items of hockey/lacrosse equipment may be accepted as checked baggage and one such item maybe
Included within the free baggage allowance. One item of hockey/lacrosse equipment is defined as one
Equipment bag plus two hockey or lacrosse sticks (taped together). The combined weight of the equipment
Bags and hockey sticks may not exceed 50lb or excess weight charges will apply. The maximum linear
Dimensions up to 80 inches will be accepted with no excess size charges applied; oversize charges will
Apply to items with linear dimensions over 80 inches."'
My hockey equipment bag and two (2) sticks was weighed and did not exceed the 50 lbs limit; and the linear dimensions of said equipment bag and sticks were well below 80 inches. Most notably, I was not charged ANY fees for the hockey sticks on the return Delta Air Lines Flight # 69 (CPH to ATL), July 31, connecting to Delta Flight # 1579 (ATL to SJC).
I did also happen to notice that another frequent Delta flyer experienced a similar problem regarding excess charges for hockey equipment - http://usashameboard.com/complaints/baggage-charges-c103224.html.
Pursuant to Delta's above-stated policy regarding the "items of hockey/lacrosse equipment" wherein it clearly states that One item of hockey/lacrosse equipment is defined as one equipment bag plus two hockey or lacrosse sticks (taped together), I should not have been charged a $200 Excess/Special Baggage fee. Accordingly, I am requesting and expecting to receive a refund for the $200 Excess Baggage fee I was assessed in error. Please confirm that corrective action has been taken within the next five (5) business days.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions or if further clarification is needed.
Sincerely,
Shella Aguila
0 comments