United Airlines

[uscwest]

United used to be my favorite airline. My dad worked for them and whenever I traveled I tried to book a United flight. As airline fares became more comptetive however I started looking around for cheapest fares. Now I have a reason NOT to fly United anywhere.


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.

Now I realize this doesn't affect International Travel, but this is ridiculous. I can't even fly to a bowling tournament on United anymore because I have to carry at least 1 bag of bowling equipment and normally have 2. That doesn't leave room for any clothing. :eek::eek::eek::eek:

[JuniorMickey]

The big questions is are other airlines going to follow suit?

[uscwest]

The big questions is are other airlines going to follow suit?
I hope not. Maybe that will force UA to back off this plan. I do know that SWA has cut back from 3 to 2. It is a good thing Donna is going to Albuquerque with me next month.

[Matt71]

I suspect most of them will. They already have weight restrictions. When we went to Vegas in '06 one of our bags was too heavy, so we had to move clothes from one bag to another while we were checking them. It was pretty silly and a waste of everyone's time considering the overall weight was no different.

Unless the price of gas starts going down, I would expect all the airlines to continue to add expenses here and there to cover the cost.

[Indydisneyfan]

Everyone seems to be adding extra charges. Our cruise this summer added a $5 per day per person fuel surcharge up to $35 dollars. What a bunch of ****. Bad thing is we were just told this via a letter a month ago. Booked the cruise last August.

[jarretth]

Looks like the US airlines are picking up the bad habits of the UK low cost airlines. Many of our airlines now charge for things you would never dream of having to pay for separately. The bag thing they will no doubt say is to encourage people to carry less which reduces fuel costs and will save the planet:rolleyes:

[kazzaqld]

I suspect most of them will. They already have weight restrictions. When we went to Vegas in '06 one of our bags was too heavy, so we had to move clothes from one bag to another while we were checking them. It was pretty silly and a waste of everyone's time considering the overall weight was no different.

Unless the price of gas starts going down, I would expect all the airlines to continue to add expenses here and there to cover the cost.

That was probably because of restrictions on the baggage handlers. My sister worked in lost baggage for years and was prohibited by the union from lifting anything heavier than a certain weight. She still got back trouble from all that lifting though :unsure:

[Matt71]

That was probably because of restrictions on the baggage handlers. My sister worked in lost baggage for years and was prohibited by the union from lifting anything heavier than a certain weight. She still got back trouble from all that lifting though :unsure:

The thing is, they were still going to let us send the suitcases "as is", but we'd have to pay an extra fee which I think was something like $50 or $75. There was no way we were paying that when we could just move a couple pairs of pants.

[kazzaqld]

The thing is, they were still going to let us send the suitcases "as is", but we'd have to pay an extra fee which I think was something like $50 or $75. There was no way we were paying that when we could just move a couple pairs of pants.

OK well then yes, just greedy airlines! :eek:

[adam_goodger]

This doesn't surprise me. This is regular practise in the UK except is it about £5 ($10) a bag here.

[Prince Al]

Has anyone flew UA from the UK to orlando?