American Airlines led the way charging for checked bags – with second checked bag fees, and then first checked bag fees back in 2008 – against a backdrop of the Great Recessiona nd $130 oil, and higher costs than competitors as a result of refusing to restructure in chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Now consumers are used to paying for checked bags, unless they’re flying a premium cabin, have status with the airline, or take the carrier’s co-brand credit card.
But did you know that while the TSA won’t let you bring water through a security checkpoint to carry onto your flight, that you can check it free on American Airlines? Just tell the agent that it’s “Zamzam.”
In a new policy change this month, American Airlies will allow passengers to check Zamzam holy water for free, if they identify it to the airline as being brought back from Saudi Arabia following a Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage.
The airline says this change is to align with its oneworld partners.
Detail A policy has been created for customers that travel with Zamzam holy water from Saudi Arabia after their pilgrimage (Hajj or Umrah). Hajj is the larger pilgrimage that occurs once a year, while Umrah is the smaller pilgrimage that occurs yearround and is not restricted to a specific date or season.
You don’t even have to be originating from Saudi Arabia on your ticket to take advantage of this, as “American will accept Zamzam from customers that travel from any origin.”
The water must be in a sealed container up to five liters, labelled “and packed separate from any checked luggage and in a sealed plastic covering to prevent leakage.”
The airline, though, disclaims any responsibility for breakage or spillage of your holy water. Even Allah cannot protect you from American Airlines mishandling bags, which they do more frequently than any other carrier.
Here’s the internal company memo on this policy change:
A man famously checked a beer can as a standalone bag and it made it all the way to baggage claim. American didn’t quite deliver a single bottle of deoderant, though.
It most likely got lost in the airport baggage system. People have checked a garbage can and even a plate of sushi has been delivered out to baggage claim.
Often gratuitous bag checking – the can of beer, the loose deoderant – is done by passengers taking advantage of their free baggage allowance.
Of course, just because you can doesn’t mean you should! But who’s in for showing up at an American Airlines ticket counter, insisting on checking 5 liters of water for free?
