United Airlines just announced a variation on the fee theme — the Premier Baggage program with an annual fee of $249 rather than flight-by-flight fees. As with every commercial question, making this decision requires a simple calculator and plenty of travel plans. Some passengers will like it and some will find this arrangement useless.
Let’s look at the basic arithmetic. Round-trip costs for one bag carried on United Airlines is $40 paid at the airport. Cost for the second bag is $60, round-trip.
Someone who travels individually with one bag and always on United would need at least six round trips and an additional segment to break even. I don’t know that many normal folk who make six round trips a year. Plus, they would have to exclusively fly on United Airlines to make the the annual fee pay. This might be a good deal for a frequent flier who checks baggage. (I don’t know many.)
Perhaps this is a good deal for traveling salesmen who need to carry sample cases as well as their normal baggage.
The Premier Baggage program allows “… up to eight (8) traveling companions to check up to two (2) bags or checked bag equivalents each at no additional charge on domestic and international United and United Express operated flights. Traveling companions must be on the same confirmation number as the Premier Baggage subscriber.”
So, a family of four that travels with lots of luggage might find this program of interest. Or, perhaps, a group of coworkers heading to a convention from the same place traveling at the same time.
Some travelers have no need of this program.
Very frequent fliers are exempt from the baggage charges, so they don’t benefit from this annual fee.
Anyone who only travels with carry-on luggage won’t benefit from this annual fee.
Watch out however. The fine print is fraught with danger.
Automatic renewal dangers.
Term and Automatic Renewals: The term of your subscription is based on the initial activation date and on your acceptance of the terms and conditions. Except for gift subscriptions, near the end of the subscription period your subscription will automatically renew for the renewal term and your credit card on file will be charged the cost of the subscription listed on united.com at the time of renewal, unless you have opted out of the auto-renewal feature.
United can terminate the program at any time.
Termination: United Airlines has the right to terminate the benefits of this program at any time.
More United Airlines spam — you must opt out.
Notwithstanding any other permissions or consents you have provided elsewhere, you hereby authorize United Airlines to deliver any and all communications, including but not limited to subscription information, changes in benefits, changes in subscription costs, changes in the program, changes in applicable terms and conditions, and offers from the program or program participating vendors or partners to your electronic mail address or mailing address at United’s discretion. You may click on the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email solicitation to unsubscribe from future offers.
No guarantees — at all.
United will not be liable for delays or failure in performance under your subscription caused by acts of God, war, strike, labor dispute, work stoppage, fire, acts of government or any other cause, whether similar or dissimilar, beyond our control. Premier Baggage does not guarantee bags will always arrive on time and in perfect condition.
This might work for some, but for the general public, this Premier Baggage program is a dud.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
