Wonderful - United to charge more for baggage now

04 February 2008, 23:30

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

So, in the past they gave you one carry-on and 2 checked. Now they are going to charge you $25 for 2 checked, and increase their oversize fee to $200 in "certain" instances. I wonder how liberally they will interpret those "certain instances"?

"Oh, sir, I see you have a rifle case - $200, plus $25 as it is your second checked bag. Don't like it? Tough."

It does say, "Customers whose itineraries include other international flights will still be able to check the second bag for free."

Still, nothing to keep them from saying, "OK, we'll not charge you the $25 for the 2 checked bags, but we're still going to charge you $200 for that large case."

Maybe I could take a boat to Namibia?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

04 February 2008, 23:51

Oday450

Later in the article it says:

"United will charge all customers $100 per bag for up to four additional bags.
... 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."

Is this for bags 3 through 7? Guess I'll not fly United and/or use a Tuffpak. I wonder if an overweight bag will be less costly than an extra bag?

05 February 2008, 00:08

JohnCrighton

What concerns me is who decides whether your rifle case (I'll be taking a Tuffpak) is "large" and requires "special handling" (whatever the hell THAT is supposed to mean?)

And who decides if it is $100 or $200?

I swear, the more I read the more I'm wondering if I should leave the rifle at home and just use the PH's rifle instead.

05 February 2008, 03:30

JohnCrighton

Well, I just found out that the extra $25 and extra $100 (oversize) won't apply to me since I already bought the tickets - it only affects everyone from this point onward.

05 February 2008, 06:37

Woodmnctry

Just another reason to avoid United -- and avoid them again and again -- I really hate that airline --I have used up all my miles with them and only fly Uknit'd as a total last resort --- did I mention I hate United??
G

05 February 2008, 20:27

Tim Carney

Eric,

The new United policy applies to DOMESTIC travel... International baggage policy is unchanged.

Regards, Tim

Here's what United's website says:

Domestic baggage information
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. This policy is for travel exclusively within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada and applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008

05 February 2008, 21:08

Stonecreek

Isn't that sweet?

First, they prohibit you from taking essential items like toiletries (more than 3 oz of liquid), razor blades, pocket knives, hand tools, and any number of other items as carry on baggage, forcing you to check them. Then, after forcing you to increase the amount of your checked baggage, they start charging you extra for it.

As Benjamin Franklin said, "He who surrenders liberty in pursuit of security deserves neither." Folks, we have arrived.

06 February 2008, 03:46

GRR

I am not a world class traveler by any means, but I have flown a lot of domestic flights. My absolute worst experience has been with United. That said, I'm sure the other airlines will follow United on this one.

06 February 2008, 03:48

Larry Sellers

JC - PM me your travel dates on United to Namibia and when did you purchase your tickets? I'll give you my info in return. Just wondering if we might cross paths.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:
Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
Well, I just found out that the extra $25 and extra $100 (oversize) won't apply to me since I already bought the tickets - it only affects everyone from this point onward.

06 February 2008, 21:18

JohnCrighton

Yah, just saw that - whew!

quote:
Originally posted by Tim Carney:
Eric,

The new United policy applies to DOMESTIC travel... International baggage policy is unchanged.

Regards, Tim

Here's what United's website says:

Domestic baggage information
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. This policy is for travel exclusively within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada and applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008

06 February 2008, 21:33

Oday450

Yes but ... the basic problem remains. Most of us travel much more to hunt in the US and Canada than in Africa. I'll not raise too much hell about $25.00 but what about rifle cases, oversized, other as yet unidentified or hidden charges? Will airline fees begin to look like telephone bills?

Plus I just don't like United!