Vail Resorts to pay skiers' baggage fees

Vail Daily

Published October 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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As passenger numbers drop at the Eagle airport, Vail Resorts has created a new program to offset baggage fees.

The Baggage Bailout program will give a $50 credit to skiers at Vail Resorts' mountains this year if they stay for four nights and buy tickets for four days.

The baggage fees aren't deterring skiers from coming to Vail, said Kelly Ladyga, a spokeswoman for Vail Resorts. The promotion is just a way to stand out to customers, she said.

"We're trying to be very topical and relevant and break through the clutter," she said.

But Ladyga added that recently announced promotions are also a response to the uncertainty in the economy.

The Eagle airport is already seeing fewer people on flights. This fall, the only commercial jumbo jet route - a daily flight to and from Dallas - has seen 38 percent fewer bookings on its inbound flights, according to Kent Myers, a consultant for governments and businesses who helps bring flights to Eagle County.

Mark Cervantes, a partner in vailskivacations.com, which books vacation rentals, said his bookings are down this year, citing the nation's financial troubles, particularly their effect on East Coast residents. He said he is doubtful that a $50 baggage voucher will mean much to someone who is spending $10,000 to $15,000 for a vacation.

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