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New United baggage policy: $25 for second checked bag
Are you an over-packer? Do you have a tendency to pack all of your hottest outfits instead of choosing just one for your upcoming trip? Then you might want to re-consider flying United Airlines.
The airline announced today that beginning May 5, 2008 it will charge passengers $25 to check a second bag on all domestic flights. The only people that will get out of the new policy are those passengers who are members of the airline's Mileage Plus and Star Alliance frequent flier plans. But even those who are members can't expect to go hassle free; passengers will only be allowed the special "two bags for free" treatment if they have Premier Status or above with Mileage Plus or Silver Status and above with Star Alliance.
The charge is an attempt to deal with rising fuel costs without raising ticket prices; the $25 charge is expected to generate $100 million in revenue and cost savings per year. I say start practicing packing light to get your vacation wardrobe into one bag and save the money for a nice bottle of wine.
Filed under: Gear, North America, United States, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Craig Feb 4th 2008 9:14PM
Kudos to United. I don't want to have to pay for other people's excess baggage. One giant checked bag, a carry-on bag, and a laptop or purse should be plenty for one person.
Brian Feb 4th 2008 11:34PM
If I do check a 2nd bag it is small enough to take carry-on. So, guess what I'll do now! Say hello to longer lines at security/longer boarding times to account for people stuffing more into overhead bins/and less room in overhead compartments.
Don't let United convince you that extra checked bags cost more than a few dimes for them to transport. A flight consists of almost entirely fixed costs; an extra few pounds won't amount to much on a several hundred thousand pound aircraft.
Just another bad decision by United.
Jules Feb 4th 2008 11:44PM
They should require overweight people to pay additional fares, not charge across the board for additional bags. We have a serious problem in this country with obesity. One bag just isn't enough for a long vacation in the winter mountains.
Craig Feb 5th 2008 12:02AM
One more reason not to fly this miserable airline. They need to go out of business and stop expecting the government to bail them out of every financial crisis they get themselves into.
craiginnyc Feb 5th 2008 12:07AM
And another thing - for $25 does this mean they promise not to lose your luggage? The last two times I flew United they misdirected my luggage. On an overbooked flight from Heathrow, they asked for volunteers to take a later flight. (Lesson learned: never volunteer for anything!) They said "Oh no worries, we will put a special tag on your already checked luggage." My bag ended up going to JFK instead of Dulles and took 72 hours to finally end up at my house. This inept airline needs to die.
Minor Scott Feb 5th 2008 11:51AM
If I can't check a suit case and a set of golf clubs I will have to fly elsewhere. Who has the answer?
paul Feb 5th 2008 1:27PM
I won't be flying United again.
Kevin Feb 5th 2008 3:47PM
If anyone thinks for one minute that the 100 million dollars they expect to make off this scam is going toward improving this subway-with-wings airline, think again. It will all go to the execs who thought this up.
Answer w/ your feet. Go to another airline, period, and see then what thier 'market research' comes up with.
Jay Feb 5th 2008 6:49PM
I'm a United Airlines Mileage Plus (their frequent flyer program) member for over 20 years and have spent over $10,000 and flown over 300,000 miles. I even have a United credit card to earn extra points. It is an insult that United now wants to charge me for my 2nd checked bag. That second bag is often golf clubs, ski or scuba equipment. This baggage surcharge is not being done by any other airline and targets the vacation/recreational traveler.
United's PR department claims that forcing passengers to cut down will save them $100M in fuel costs, the reality is that many people will just pay extra to take along necessary items for travel. That $100M is not actual savings because it does not cost United $25 (the surcharge) for the second checked bag. Fuel costs are just a small percentage of the $25, the rest is profit. United is distorting the facts on this and it just trying to make a buck.
United has also chosen not inform consumers of this surcharge prior to ticket purchase either on their website or with various resellers such as Expedia or Travelocity. United will inform their customers or the surcharge upon check in of the 2nd bag at the airport. This unethical tactic prevents buyers from properly comparing ticket prices at the time of purchase.
United claims that the new baggage surcharge policy in on their website somewhere, but I've been unable to find it. United's customer services reps are uninformed on the details of the surcharge and have provided inconsistent information after several attempts. After 14 hours I'm still waiting for a call back from a "supervisor".
I've been a loyal United flyer for many years, but this will change if United continues to try and repay my loyalty be trying to cheat me on many levels. United is "jackin' me"
V Feb 8th 2008 10:46AM
Jay - if you're truly a frequent flier, this won't affect you. Those with status with United or Star Alliance are still allowed the extra bag. I am a gold preferred US Air so this doesn't affect me at all, so if you have flown that much on United it probably won't affect you.
I rarely check the 2nd bag anyway, definitely not on business (the majority of my travel). I think this will affect people who currently bring 2 to circumvent the weight requirement (e.g., bringing 2 small bags up to 50 pounds each vs 1 large bag that might exceed 50). I always prefer to pay extra for the one large bag, I don't want to be bothered dragging around a ton of extra stuff to save $25. But that's my personal preference.
I'm definitely not opposed to this system...European discount airlines such as Ryan Air do the same thing. I just wish the fares would be discounted accordingly. That's why I don't mind that skybus charges for luggage...when you're paying $35 to fly somewhere, you don't mind spending a little more to get your luggage there too!!!
I just say let's not get caught up with this on a matter of principle...they say only 25% of people check the second bag so think about it realistically...if you DON'T check a second bag, you have nothing to be upset about. Don't be steaming just because the potential for you to some day check a second bag has been taken away. And remember all companies are looking for ways to short cut profits. Food companies package things in deceptively smaller packages for the same price, others use inferior materials to save a dime. It's corporate America, get used to it!
JQ03 Feb 12th 2008 9:29AM
The days of air travel have been changing for over 8 years now.
Like V said if you are a Global Service customer or any of the Premier tiers, Star Alliance Gold and Silver and have a non refundable fare, you wont be affected by this policy. European carriers have been enforcing these polcies for years.
The American public wants cheap fares, period.
They want to get from coast to coast for $200, they want first class service, but don't want to pay for it.
So, if you want airlines to keep low fares (and survive), you, the consumer msut pay. It is simple as that!
nina keneally Feb 16th 2008 4:01PM
Maybe they should weigh passengers and charge them extra per each 50 lbs. too. I weigh 114 pounds soaking wet; that fatso tipping the scales at 250+ gets one bag at 50 lbs so why can't I get two at 50 lbs. I'd still be less total weight for the plane and I don't hang over the seat next to me.
Freaked-out flyer Mar 7th 2008 7:22PM
Yet another insult from United. First, they imposed a 50 pound weight limit on bags and started charging absurd fines if they were heavier. Now, they're charging even if you put the stuff in another bag! I travel for business and need to take literature and changes of dress clothes (which I can't carry aboard in a garment bag because -- guess what -- most airlines have now eliminated coat closets). United is losing my business. And since I'm the CEO, I'll take my employees' business with me.
WANDA Apr 6th 2008 3:02PM
I think it is a shame to add on all the extra junk fees. we pay enough now. This is a good way for all the airlines to go out of business. No one can afford to fly on any air line. We are now paying a high fuel surcharge. Some one needs to get control of this matter. CEOs needs to have their salarly cut to offset some of this fuel cost. Enough is enough!!!!
Brian Apr 6th 2008 5:01PM
An added item not mentioned in this article is that UA, as well as the $25 for bag#2 they have a charge for bag#1.
If it exceeds 50 pounds weight, the charge is $25. If it weighs 50 to 75 pounds this will cost $50 and over 75 pounds it is $100.
And I would guess if bag#2 exceeds 50 pounds this same charge will also apply.
And certainly at DFW UA has a lot of people transferring to international destinations in India and Africa and it is heart breaking to see families with 6, 7 or even 10 very large suitcases full of items for their relatives. In some cases they have had to abandon their trips because it is too expensive for them to take all their goodies.