Yesterday, Expedia released the results of their Passenger Preferences Index, a worldwide study conducted by consulting firm by Northstar.
The big news to come out of the study is how many Americans say they travel with no checked bags to avoid fees, long waits at the baggage carousel and fear their checked bags will be lost.
From Expedia’s Press release:
“67% of American travelers say they “avoid baggage fees at all costs,” just under than the global average of 70%. 52% say they specifically pack lighter to avoid them. 57% of Americans avoid checking a bag so they will not have to wait at the baggage carousel. Almost one in two – 48% – do not check a bag out of fear it will be lost.”
Read More:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/…study-130100625.html
I think this study just affirms what we already know. That more people are doing what they can to reduce their costs of flying and stretching their budget further.
And it also affirms the most basic law of economics. When you charge more for something, you get less of that activity. True of all fees and taxes.
When I saw this study, I though of our interview with Gary German of Orion Travel Tech and his plans to put ads on luggage to pay for the checked bag. We will follow up with him later in the year to see how it’s going.
https://www.travelgumbo.com/blo…l-tech-s-gary-german