United to charge extra for checking 2nd bag
 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22992054/

Did anyone see this? United plans to start charging domestic customers $25 for checking a 2nd bag. Good grief! They've limited what can be carried on and now they're trying to limit how much you can check.

It won't apply to everyone...some frequent flyers exempt; silver and above Star Alliance flyers exempt.

The key will be if the public doesn't pritest..if they do, United will drop this very quickly IMO. OTOH if they get away with it the others will ALL follow suit.

I am not sure what my opinion is on this.

The only times I have checked 2 bags, the 2nd bag was actually a box that I decided to check on my flight rather than send through the mail. I've never travelled with more than 1 piece of actual checked luggage. So, if this change needs to happen so that fares don't increase, then I think it is good - those who take extra bags still can and $25 is not an outrageous fee. Seems like a decent compromise.

On the otherhand, this is another item in a long list of ways the airlines are cutting service, which does not bode well.

Since I rarely check even one bag, I think I'm glad to see the extra baggage paying its own way.

Excuse me, but what is "extra" about a second bag, Anonymous? TWO checked bags has been the standard allowance for some time and now United thinks they've figured out a way to make more money by providing LESS service than before..the typical business model these days.


Sorry, I rarely check more than one bag and I'm above the "silver" level so it won't affect me but it is an obvious ploy just as "meals for purchase" and "pay more for an aisle seat" have been.

It will happen if passengers do not protest.

As a follow on..that second bag is even LESS extra since people like you aren't checking any at all.

I will never comprehend how it is that airlines can't turn a profit when every flight I've been on in the last umpteen years has been packed, AND they charge for every little thing, AND provide less and poorer service.

(Fuel costs, union contracts... yes, I've heard the reasons, and I still don't get it.)

Bah humbug.

I don't fly United but they're obviously taking lesisure travellers for granted.

They should probably also just go ahead right now and cut their service to any resort in Colorado and Utah (or anywhere primarily dominated by ski resorts) since people will now have to pay extra just to pack warm clothing and equipment liek their ski boots. Same thing for anywhere known primarily for golf.

Not to mention the impact this will have on people travelling with small children. Good luck getting all that stuff in compliance with the new rules.

I'm thinking that the fewer bags on a flight the easier it might be to do security checks. So charge away.

Now THAT is an optimistic view!! I wish I could believe in the airlines' concern for our security, but I do not.

We rarely check more than one bag each, but I definitely resent having to pay $25 for the "privilege." Another reason not to fly "the friendly skies" any longer. We used to fly with UAL a lot, but one thing and another turned us off (like the mess we had the first time we tried to use miles) so we turned to other airlines.

Agree with Dukey, squeaky wheels get greased. Complain and maybe this (in a long line of recent excessive charges) newest way to fleece their passengers might be dropped! I hope so. Enough is enough.

This is from United website

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52481,00.html

United is announcing a new checked bag policy for customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets. Customers purchasing nonrefundable domestic economy tickets who do not have status in Mileage Plus or Star Alliance may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 service fee. Customers who have attained Premier status or higher in Mileage Plus or who have Silver status and above with a Star Alliance partner, are exempt from this policy change. The new policy applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008. Please view the Domestic baggage questions for additional details on this policy.

All customers traveling on United may check at least one free bag. The number of free bags allowed per customer will vary according to your Mileage Plus status and/or the type of ticket purchased. The tables below highlight the number of bags that customers can check free of charge:

and there is a table with allowances from 1 to 3 (three!) bags per customer weighing up to 50 or 70 lbs

Yes, all airlines are nickel and diming. Back to Greyhound????

Okay - this one hits me hard. It USED to be that when I returned overseas (from the US) I could have 2 bags per person and each bag could be 70 pounds. As of last summer (or maybe before), I was down to 2 bags at 50 pounds each. Let me tell you - after 7 years overseas - I am a PRO at "guestimating" luggage weight!!!

Usually - my DH goes back alone (lucky dog!) and takes back 1 bag (full of his stuff) and 1 ice chest full off steaks, etc.

It is up to me to bring back a years' worth of clothes, shoes, sporting equipment, food, school supplies, birthday and Xmas presents, etc for 2 teen age boys. PLUS all the stuff for me (crafts, clothes).

I am not happy!!!! :((

, , "customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets. "

ah - Faina was posting when I was.......never mind!!!!

Faina - on another note - am I right thinking you are from/ have connections with - Russia????

Interesting about he Star Alliance status - could be useful since when we go to Alaska on USAir were each planning on checking one bag plus bringing a duffle with outerwear/hiking stuff for all 4 of us. I guess we need to make sure that bag is in name of husband who has status on United so we do not get charged.

Every 100 lbs of weight = $ in extra fuel costs

Fuel cost is shooting through the roof

Airlines have a choice

1. raise fares for everybody to spreadout the fuel expense

2. charge the idiots that need 2 50lbs bags plus a 21" roller and a personal bag for their 1-2 weeks in Florida.

I vote for #2

GRC, yeah, from USSR.

Faina - we might be moving that way this summer! Very excited -but would love to get your ideas!!!! Would you be willing to give me some pointers????

"2. charge the idiots that need 2 50lbs bags plus a 21" roller and a personal bag for their 1-2 weeks in Florida."

Not for FL, but this was my in-laws for a 2 week trip to Europe last year. They had an expensive awakening when they got to Europe - 1 cab for them and 1 cab for the luggage every time they went to or from an airport, and charges for excess luggage for internal European flights.