2008Cases/Carts/Stands and Transport forum
Airline policies for excess baggage fees and media rates for film professionals traveling with equipment
18 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Many airlines offer reduced excess baggage rates for media professionals, typically around $50 per bag compared to standard rates of $80 or more.
- Airlines increasingly require official photo identification to qualify for media rates, not just union cards without photos.
- Baggage policies vary significantly between airlines and even between different routes on the same airline, with inconsistent pricing structures based on weight or number of items.
- Some airlines have discontinued media rate discounts entirely or now require special airline-issued media cards obtained in advance.
- Standard coach baggage allowances have become more restrictive, with some carriers charging extra fees for a second checked bag.
Depends on
- Information is from 2008 and airline policies change frequently.
- Experiences are limited to specific carriers mentioned and particular routes.
- UK-based practices may differ substantially from North American airline policies.
- The claim about adding a photo to a union card and laminating it is anecdotal and its effectiveness was untested at time of posting.
- No official policy documentation was provided, only traveler experiences.