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View Full Version : United to charge $25 for 2nd checked bag!!



Sarah
02-04-2008, 11:55 PM
United Adds $25 Fee for 2nd Bag
Monday February 4, 1:05 pm ET
United to Charge Non-Frequent Fliers $25 to Check 2nd Suitcase

CHICAGO (AP) -- United Airlines will begin charging passengers $25 to check in a second piece of luggage for domestic travel if they are not part of its most-frequent-flier programs, the airline said Monday.

The charge will generate more than $100 million in revenue and cost savings each year, UAL Corp. said. The change takes effect May 5 and applies to tickets purchased on or after Monday.

Travelers would have to log at least 25,000 miles in a year on United to ensure they can check their second bag for free.

Airlines want to charge more for not only checked baggage but assigned seats and other services. Investors have urged airlines to pass on the higher costs of fuel to passengers through ticket-price increases or similar surcharges.

United's customer research showed a quarter of its customers check a second bag, Chief Revenue Officer John Tague said in a statement. The new policy will allow customers with many bags to continue bringing them for a fee and "enables us to offer competitive fares to everyone," Tague said.

Customers who have "Premier" status or higher within United's Mileage Plus program, or "Silver" status or higher within its Star Alliance program still will be able to check in a second bag for free. The new charge applies to those who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets.

United will charge all customers $100 per bag for up to four additional bags. Previous charges ranged from $85 to $125 per bag. The cost to check items that require special handling because they are large, overweight or fragile will now be either $100 or $200, depending on the item.

New fees apply to trips within the U.S. and or those that include Canada, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Customers whose itineraries include other international flights still will be able to check the second bag for free. The cost to check more than two bags, or items that are overweight or require special handling, on such trips will vary by destination.

UAL shares fell $2.38, or 5.8 percent, to $38.76 in morning trading.

littleleemur
02-05-2008, 02:53 AM
FYI to get Premier Status, you would need 2 round-trip economy-class tickets to Asia from N. America or/ approximately 10/12 NY-LA roundtrip tickets.

I'm not sure if the miles transfered from your credit card count towards it though.

Pax
02-05-2008, 04:02 AM
Well, I used to fly alot with United. I guess that will change. $25.00 will not break the bank but this will open the floodgates for more and more extra charges. I guess will have to leave BC at home and just take the reg, computer in the carry on- or will they charge for that too...

hbh2oguard
02-05-2008, 10:18 PM
FYI to get Premier Status, you would need 2 round-trip economy-class tickets to Asia from N. America or/ approximately 10/12 NY-LA roundtrip tickets.

I'm not sure if the miles transfered from your credit card count towards it though.

That's a lot of flying unless you fly on a regular basis for work.

The Publisher
02-06-2008, 05:13 AM
Well, if you fly United, you better be prepared to resort to my 100lbs carry-on strategy guide (http://www.scubamagazine.net/showthread.php?t=885)

Mountain Dog
02-06-2008, 03:27 PM
My fear is that if United is successful in making this permanent, all the other carriers will follow the lead. The days of free transport of luggage may be coming to a close.

Mountain Dog

acelockco
02-07-2008, 02:40 AM
My fear is that if United is successful in making this permanent, all the other carriers will follow the lead. The days of free transport of luggage may be coming to a close.

Mountain Dog

Too late, I think they are all jumping on that bandwagon. There must have been some new regulation that allows them to charge. I know Spirit is charging for ALL bags except carry on. So now we are going to have to all get those 100lb carry on bags.

hbh2oguard
02-13-2008, 04:44 AM
Too late, I think they are all jumping on that bandwagon. There must have been some new regulation that allows them to charge. I know Spirit is charging for ALL bags except carry on. So now we are going to have to all get those 100lb carry on bags.

Who can work some magic with those numbers to make it even better:) 200,300.......????????:p