An old Chicago song from my high school days asked “Does anybody know what time it is?
That song might be rewritten now – “Does anybody really know what the checked baggage charges are?” Especially at United.
In the latest tweak to their policy, United Airlines is offering a discount of 20 percent – $3 – on the charge to check a first bag, when paid for on United.com between November 10, 2008, and January 31, 2009. They have also canceled plans to increase the second bag charge to $50 and will leave it at $25.
This will almost certainly not be the last change to the policy, but it is notable for a couple reasons. First, United must be getting a lot of resistance from customers about the higher second bag fee, and they may be losing business to carriers with lesser charges. Because “out of the goodness of our heart” is just not a reason airlines change policies.
The online payment aspect is more interesting. Not so long ago United gave bonus miles for checking in online. And in the more distant past there was a 5 percent discount for booking flights on United.com. The airline is clearly hoping to speed things up at the airport with the prepayment option. At some airports, in fact, passengers who do prepay the fees can use special United.com bag drop areas.
Don’t be surprised to eventually see United, and perhaps other airlines, add a surcharge for paying baggage charges at the airport. In addition, for passengers who pay to check luggage and then either carry-on or cancel their plans, United will still have the money
But if you don’t like this new policy, don’t worry. It will almost certainly change.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
