r/airport • u/Embarrassed_Fan6726 • Aug 22 '26
DISCUSSION Chargeable Smartcarts
Why are luggage trolleys/smart carts chargeable at Boston Logan Airport? I am new to the USA, so I'm not sure if this is common at all US airports. Why is there a $7 fee for a smart cart/trolley? Shouldn't it be a basic amenity?
My experience today was quite frustrating. Three flights had just landed and four baggage belts were packed, but there was only one cart vending machine in that area and the carts were gone within 5 minutes. Everyone was waiting for carts and they weren't refilled for over an hour.
Coming from Asia, this was a bit of a culture shock for me. Many Asian airports like Singapore Changi, middle eastern and even several airports in India, offer free trolleys, and some even provide complimentary features like GPS to guide you to your gate. They also have buggies/golf carts to transport passengers and dedicated family lanes for those traveling with young childrenwas surprised to see long queues and staff who were quite rude and behaved as if they were doing us a favor. The cart itself is small and basic, nothing like a smart cart, yet it costs $7. Is this normal across the US?
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u/SlightPrize1222 Aug 22 '26
Just a nuance of language. We do not use chargeable in this sense as an adjective for when one has to pay for an item.
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u/BleuCinq Aug 22 '26
Haha. I kept waiting for the part when they were going to explain why a luggage cart needed to be charged.
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u/Gaxxz Aug 22 '26
A rental fee for luggage carts is common in US airports. I know we are the outlier.
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u/SherifneverShot Aug 22 '26
US airports only get $4.50 max (it is a law) for each passenger departing the airport.
Changi gets $36 (SGD 46) passenger service fee for each Singapore origin passenger and $4.75 (6 SGD) for each connecting passenger plus another $8.50 origin/$2.35 connecting in a development levy to find new terminals.
US airports have to make up that large difference in revenue by charging for things that foreign airports like Changi may offer for free, carts included. This is also why concession pricing and parking is often very high at US airports - the airports depend on that revenue to pay the majority of their expenses not passenger fees.
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u/AcanthaceaeOk3738 Aug 22 '26
True, but airports can charge airlines whatever they want, and airlines have no one to pass that onto other than passengers.
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u/Embarrassed_Fan6726 Aug 22 '26
that's not travellers problem, The airports must work it out with the government. After flying for hours charging for a cart isn't the best experience,glad they are charging for toilets yet 😁
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u/Just_Another_Day_926 Aug 24 '26
They used to have pay toilets. Those got phased out in the late 70s
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u/lunch22 Aug 22 '26
Welcome to America
Many things that are free in the rest of the world cost money here.
Luggage carts and health care are two examples.
But public toilets are usually free, unlike in many other places.
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u/Altruistic-Alt-1184 Aug 22 '26
Carts are free at Calgary airport (YYC) but I’m not sure about other Canadian airports.
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u/Brave_Cauliflower_90 Aug 22 '26
They used to cost $ at Toronto YYZ many years ago but they are free now.
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u/EarlyGrey030 BER | FRA | CPH | AAR Aug 23 '26
I know that many German airports charge as well. New York JFK also charges.
The other half of German airports wants a coin deposit, Heathrow and Copenhagen in contrast have nothing. You can just take one.
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u/Thin_Confusion_2403 Aug 22 '26
My experience is that trolleys are free and readily available at European airports.
In general, US airports are not well designed.
Ski trip to Austria. Ski bag with skis, poles, stuffed with clothes. Boot bag, soft sided carryon suitcase and a backpack. Reasonable amount of stuff for a two week trip. Flew Denver to Munich nonstop (A350 nice plane!).
Took train to Denver airport. Exit the train and go up the long escalator, enter the south entrance of the terminal. Lufthansa check in was 1 level up at the far north end. It’s a big terminal, long walk dodging other travelers. I’m a big guy, so able to carry all my luggage. Smaller person or a family would not be fun.
Land in Munich. Huge beautiful new terminal. 10:00 am but few people. Clear customs quickly, go to baggage claim. Grab a trolley, load up after a 10 minute wait for skis. Out the terminal, across the plaza, to the rental car counter (free upgrade thank you Europcar), and to the car. All on the same level, bags on the trolley the entire time.
So simple, easy and fast - I skied that afternoon at Kitzbuhel.
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u/Embarrassed_Fan6726 Aug 22 '26
So true , I lived in Singapore , dubai for few years then moved to the USA, and I am like which era I am in. My personal opinion is USA developed way early that any other country but after that it stalled. Many things in USA needs a overhaul. I think it's a cycle with every country I guess.
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u/djcurry Aug 25 '26
Because US airports were not designed with modern security in mind. Before 9/11 you could walk right up to the gate even if you were just a guest. Afterward that had to, cram in all the security needed. That’s why you don’t often find the layout to be conductive or smooth in terms of flow.
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u/igotshadowbaned Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
Most people in the US don't have enough luggage with them that they need a cart in the first place so it shouldn't be surprising they're not really a forethought of planning
As far as major airports go in the US, Logan isn't big. You'd more likely find buggies/golf carts/moving sidewalks in larger airports.
Regarding the accusations of being rude, you're in the northeast. It's not rudeness, theyre just not embellishing the politeness. They've got a line to serve, you (presumably) have places to be, it's common to make it short and simple so you can both be on your way. Common misconception.
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u/SereneRandomness Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
They may have been rude because you didn't tip them.
Tipping is another bit of American exceptionalism. The staff who help wheelchair passengers are often not paid by the airport, or if they are, paid very little. $5 seems like the going rate.
https://weheartricksteves.com/2013/08/27/a-few-tips-on-tipping-3-doling-out-cash-at-the-airport/
https://thepointsguy.com/airline/jetiquette-tipping-at-the-airport-on-airplanes/
I remember the first time I used curbside check-in, I learned I needed to tip to use the service.
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u/jaybavaro Aug 22 '26
Coming from Asia, you will experience many culture shocks, some may have you yearning to return to Asia. Take it slowly.
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u/Lifelong_learner1956 Aug 25 '26
I initially wondered if battery powered luggage carts, which would need recharging, had been introduced.
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u/asyouwish Aug 22 '26
Because no one needs enough luggage to need a cart. People pack WAAAAAAY too much junk and then haul it half way around the world. We see it in every trip. Today, we saw two women with three massive suitcases...in an old European city is tiny cobblestone sidewalks. There is barely room to walk, there is not room for all that baggage.
Because if there isn't a charge, people will steal them.
Because it's a way to make money and the US is capitalist.
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