UAL to charge $25 to check second bag for certain customers and other related changes
Feb 4, 2008, 7:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA Gold,DL Gold
Posts: 858
UAL to charge $25 to check second bag for certain customers and other related changes
Just on the wire
Customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets and 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.
The cost to check items that require special handling -- large, overweight or fragile items -- will now be either $100 or $200, depending on the item.
Customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets and 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.
The cost to check items that require special handling -- large, overweight or fragile items -- will now be either $100 or $200, depending on the item.
Feb 4, 2008, 7:47 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
Charming. I wonder if this one will stick.
This will just encourage people to carry more on.
This will just encourage people to carry more on.
Feb 4, 2008, 7:47 am
#3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SFO/MSP
Programs: 1K, Diamond
Posts: 171
2nd Bag $25
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=28032
The No. 2 U.S. airline said customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets and 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. Previously, the cost to those customers of checking two bags was included in the fare
Feb 4, 2008, 7:50 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
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I just saw this on Reuters. I'm not really concerned about this because a) I almost never check one bag, let alone two and b) I have status anyway so won't effect me.
Actually I take that back. I will be concerned about this if it encourages people to try and carry more stuff on the plane, eating up overhead space and slowing the boarding process.
Actually I take that back. I will be concerned about this if it encourages people to try and carry more stuff on the plane, eating up overhead space and slowing the boarding process.
Feb 4, 2008, 7:52 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
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Change posted to .bomb: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52481,00.html
Looks like 3P/2P get 2@50lb, and 1P and up keep the 3 70lb bag limit.
Effective May 5, so even if you've already bought the ticket for summer... (Edit: actually, the linked page is unclear on this matter)
Where this is really going to stink is that it's going to be a surprise to the VBITs, who think they'll get two and find out otherwise as they're checking in. Then they'll slow the check-in line trying to repack into as few bags as possible.
Looks like 3P/2P get 2@50lb, and 1P and up keep the 3 70lb bag limit.
Effective May 5, so even if you've already bought the ticket for summer... (Edit: actually, the linked page is unclear on this matter)
Where this is really going to stink is that it's going to be a surprise to the VBITs, who think they'll get two and find out otherwise as they're checking in. Then they'll slow the check-in line trying to repack into as few bags as possible.
Last edited by PVDProf; Feb 4, 2008 at 8:25 am Reason: Factual clarification
Feb 4, 2008, 7:53 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
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And of course, it will encourage people to check a single 49.9 lb bag rather than two 25 lb bags. Just a guess, but if I was a baggage handler, I'd bet it's easier to load twice as many smaller bags.
Feb 4, 2008, 8:13 am
#7
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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Change posted to .bomb: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52481,00.html
Looks like 3P/2P get 2@50lb, and 1P and up keep the 3 70lb bag limit.
Effective May 5, so even if you've already bought the ticket for summer...
Where this is really going to stink is that it's going to be a surprise to the VBITs, who think they'll get two and find out otherwise as they're checking in. Then they'll slow the check-in line trying to repack into as few bags as possible.
Looks like 3P/2P get 2@50lb, and 1P and up keep the 3 70lb bag limit.
Effective May 5, so even if you've already bought the ticket for summer...
Where this is really going to stink is that it's going to be a surprise to the VBITs, who think they'll get two and find out otherwise as they're checking in. Then they'll slow the check-in line trying to repack into as few bags as possible.
Feb 4, 2008, 8:17 am
#8
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This is really bad. It penalizes those who are not business travelers, often those with less money in the first place. I think of a family of four flying across the country for a week long ski vacation. Each wants to check in two bags. Does that mean an extra $200 roundtrip?
(What if one person is elite, and the others are not?)
(What if one person is elite, and the others are not?)
Feb 4, 2008, 8:17 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: PDX
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Posts: 806
Agree with you on that. This seems very poorly thought out. I give the policy two weeks before UAL wises up.
Feb 4, 2008, 8:18 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Missoula, MT
Programs: United 1P
Posts: 363
And you thought the lines at check-in were long now, just you wait! I can see lots of people unpacking their suitcases at check-in and filling their pockets with all the extra weight. It should make security fun, tho'!
My question would be what happens to the over-stuffed bags that people try to carry on - will the GA have to collect $25 to gate-check them?
Hey, but you know, this should pay for the extra compensation for lost luggage, no?
My question would be what happens to the over-stuffed bags that people try to carry on - will the GA have to collect $25 to gate-check them?
Hey, but you know, this should pay for the extra compensation for lost luggage, no?
Feb 4, 2008, 8:21 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
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There are two tables on the linked page:
Tickets purchased before or after February 4, 2008 for travel before May 5, 2008: (two bags)
Tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008, for travel on or after May 5, 2008: (one bag)
It does not appear that either table applies to tickets purchased before Feb 4 for travel after May 5.
Feb 4, 2008, 8:25 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: riding the lifetime status. DL MM / AA MM
Posts: 2,968
i virtually never check one bag -- if i'm going to take one bag, i carry it on. if i'm taking two, and have to check anyway, i'll check them both. under this policy, i'd be more likely to carry one on, even if i'm checking one.. (of course, the status waiver allows me to check both pieces anyway..)
Feb 4, 2008, 8:26 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: The Jersey Shore
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to UA.Penny wise, pound foolish, as usual....
Feb 4, 2008, 8:28 am
#14
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Ahhhhh! The benefits of status. 
Seriously, this is the order of things to come - and it is the very people who are going to be paying the freight (pardon the pun
) - are the ones who've forced the airlines to DEMAND it.
They wanted LOW, LOW, LOW fares. They got it. Just the fact that in order to do it had to be unbundled is getting in the way.
Be careful what you ask for - I don't have any sympathy, sorry.
Best, Dave
Seriously, this is the order of things to come - and it is the very people who are going to be paying the freight (pardon the pun
) - are the ones who've forced the airlines to DEMAND it.They wanted LOW, LOW, LOW fares. They got it. Just the fact that in order to do it had to be unbundled is getting in the way.
Be careful what you ask for - I don't have any sympathy, sorry.
Best, Dave
Feb 4, 2008, 8:29 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Posts: 3,639
Are Star Silvers grouped with the 3P/2P members for the two bags allowed?