United and USAir Charging $25 for Second Checked Bag

[shira467]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 12:39pm

Does this piss anyone else off? We can only check ONE bag for free now? It's been this way for so long (that you can check 2).

I guess as an experienced flyer, this really annoys me.

Thoughts, anyone?

http://www.expedia.com/daily/edit/alerts/Feb2008/baggage_fees.asp

[jondouglas]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 12:51pm

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.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 12:54pm

It won't affect me. I've never flown with more than one checked bag and one carry on.

[tazber]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 12:57pm

It's still cheaper than buying her a seat.

[nealb1]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 1:00pm

I think the last time I checked a bag was well over 15 years ago. I travel a lot, too. And, I always, always take a carry on - even on both of my Europe trips that I've taken in the last 2 years.

No sense in getting upset over something that is completely out of your control.

Updated On: 3/23/08 at 01:00 PM

[James885]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 1:16pm

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.

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

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 2:18pm

my ski vacation is gonna cost an extra $50.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 5:05pm

LOL, taz!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 5:49pm

Shira this is month old news. Don't ya read the papers, listen to the radio, look online for news?

I also have checked two bags in over 20 years

[shira467]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 6:13pm

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

[raulfan]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 6:26pm

Virgin America charges for your 2nd bag too - but it's only $10.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 6:26pm

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

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 6:49pm

On your return flight, wear the heavier clothes.

[christhefish]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 7:13pm

I am so over air travel

[nitsua]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 7:25pm

My flight on Virgin America was amaaaazing.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 11:42pm

"I am so over air travel"

maybe you should walk next time.

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 11:52pm

Expect to see more of this. Airline profit margins are paper thin. Most of them have been losing money for years. They're looking to make money however they can. (there's a reason all this merger talk is in the air, forgive the pun)

Flown Delta lately? They nickel and dime you for everything. You even have to pay to get food. Air Canada charges you for pillows. United and some others charge you more if you want to sit in a window seat. Qantas and some others make you pay a surcharge if you use a credit card to buy your ticket (because they have to pay a card fee).

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

[Urban]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 1:09am

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

[nztheatreluva]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 1:34am

The US is the only country that I know of that actually still allows 2 checked bags without huge charges. If the States is part of my itinerary when i fly I can check 2 bags, but if not, I'm restricted to one anyway.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 3:56am

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.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 10:52am

"You even have to pay to get food. Air Canada charges you for pillows. United and some others charge you more if you want to sit in a window seat."

Yeah, was I shocked when flying from LA to Maui, they wanted $5 for a box of crap......I mean, c'mon it's a long flight.

Most airlines in the US no longer offer pillows, Calvin.

Although I've never been charged on United for a window seat, it wouldn't surprise me.

on an Alaska flight from San Francisco to here on Saturday, I was amazed how little legroom there is. My knees were touching the seat in front of me, and they guy (thankfully) never reclined his seat.

Next month from here to Chicag we have aisle seats across from each other, and then from Chicago to London, two seats to the side......which won't be too bad.
For the first time we are taking only carry-on.

Coming back is four flights, should be interesting

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 11:09am

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

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 6:30pm

Pretty soon, all your ticket will guarantee is a place on the plane.

If you want a seat, that's extra. If you want water, that's extra. Shades of Urinetown, you will pay to pee. To be let off the plane, you pay again.

[softershade]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 8:38pm

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.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:21am

@ tazber -- Nice!

Too bad they didn't start it off at like $5... They still would've made a bunch more money off of it, and then they could gradually increase it. Going straight to $25 is sort of jarring.