United and USAir Charging $25 for Second Checked Bag

The reality is that gas prices are so high, and the airline is a business....they have to make money in order to stay afloat. I travel a lot......a lot. I never check a bag, I always a have a carry on.

I'm sure with a little creative packing and planning, you can get everything you need into a carry on.

You have other options, as well. Send your bags ahead of time via Fed Ex, or the US Postal Service. You could fly another airline that, for now, isn't charging for a 2nd suitcase.

It's just a change in their policy. It's not the end of the world.

It's still cheaper than buying her a seat.

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This really doesn't affect me, as I usually only check one bag when I travel. I very rarely need two suitcases for my things unless it's a trip of more than a week. If I'm only going to be gone a day or so I can usually get my stuff into a carry-on bag.

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Updated On: 3/24/08 at 01:16 PM

LOL, taz!

Whoops, Elphaba. Well, it was news to me!

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I was just charged $50 from American Airlines for having my checked bag be 3 pounds over the limit...

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I am so over air travel

"I am so over air travel"

maybe you should walk next time.

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I have flown Qantas a couple of times recently and have not been slugged with Credit Card fees.

Continental is still the best of the major legacy airlines (in my opinion, at least) as far as inclusive pricing for service.

Wow ... we had such an average experience on Continental during our recent trip - and that was international - that I'm afraid to even consider what it would have been like on another airline. The food was terrible, drinks aren't even free on international flights anymore, they even charge for the headsets. All that used to be free on international travel. It also surprised me how much they pushed for people taking only carry-on luggage.

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It helps, DayDreamer, that I fly them so much (visiting the family in Houston, which is their hub) that I get their elite service and occasional first-class upgrades. They have a limited number of pillows, but since I board first, I always get one. The food isn't great. In fact, I wouldn't really rank them first in any particular category. They just do everything a little above mediocre, which averages out to the best.

As for the headsets: Delta not only charges you for a headset (on non-international flights), but then you have to pay for each individual entertainment piece after that.

And Urban, that might have been something they're discussing and not doing yet, now that I think about it. But some airlines are doing that. Singapore was talking about it, too. The thing is, U.S.-based airlines will have a tougher time, because card agreements generally preclude vendors from surcharging card purchases (if you ever see anyone doing it, they're violating the agreement -- as they are if they set a minimum card purchase).

But U.S. airlines are trying to move people away from using credit cards. Notice all these new payment options, like "Bill Me Later" and paypal? Or how you'll get more bonus miles if you use a debit card (it carries lower transaction fees than credit cards)? Or how all the airlines have their own co-branded cards?

Updated On: 3/24/08 at 11:09 AM

I'm so glad JetBlue hasn't joined in charging for a second bag. As an out of state college student I typically fill up two large checked suitcases and a carry on when I go home for winter or summer break. Looks like I will continue to only fly JetBlue.