Airline baggage charge exemption Published June 25, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Department of Defense members may be eligible, depending on the fare type, for a checked baggage charge exemption when traveling on American Airlines domestic flights, according to Air Force officials. The exemptions apply to the following fares: · GSA City Pair fares for Military and DoD travelers on official orders. · Military members traveling on discounted leisure "military leave fares." (Military personnel on leave must be traveling using this specific type of fare as opposed to a discounted fare from the Web, i.e. Orbitz, Expedia, etc.). "The only thing a traveler should need to show is a copy of their official orders and they should be exempt," said Staff Sgt. Sandra Steffers, 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of passenger travel. These DoD-friendly exemptions followed a recent announcement by American Airlines that starting June 15, driven primarily by record-high fuel prices, they will start charging for checked baggage on all domestic flights. While the exemption policy has been disseminated to participating airlines, Sergeant Steffers recommended that those travelers should be prepared to pay baggage charges as the policy is new and may not have reached all locations. "If your baggage charge exemption is declined by the person at the desk, ask to speak to a shift supervisor," Sergeant Steffers said. "If it is still declined, don't get upset. Pay the fee but keep the receipt so you can be reimbursed by finance later." Travelers are encouraged to obtain as much check-in information as possible from their airline prior to proceeding to the airport. As far as what airlines are participating, Sergeant Steffers said US Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Northwest are participating in the exemption program. For more information, contact 723-7281.