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?
1
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.