February 5th, 2008
United Airlines - the First U.S. Carrier to Charge for Checked Luggage
It usually always happens to me that I get to the airport and my suitcase is over the weight limit and I’m stuck having to find $25 to pay the over limit fee. After doing this several times I started getting into the habit of just always bringing two suitcases that way leaving me plenty of space to cram in those extra pairs of shoes to match those extra outfits i packed plus of course leaving room for the treasures I buy while on vacation. 
Well… looks like that might not work for long…
This morning United Airlines announced that all domestic passengers will have to pay $25 to check a second piece of luggage (ugh!). This policy will take affect for all travel on or after May 5, 2008. This will apply to customers purchasing domestic economy tickets who do not have either at least premier status in United’s Mileage Plus programs or silver status in their Star Alliance program.
United is the first major U.S. carrier to charge for checked bags, but the policy is not uncommon among foreign carriers. It started with the discount European carriers: Most charge $10 to $20 for each piece of checked baggage. And then British Airways joined in, charging for a second piece of checked bags (but not on flights from/to the United States). Discount carriers were also the first to charge for snacks, and for exit row seats or an assigned seat. United believes its new surcharge will generate $100 million in revenue a year. The company faced bankruptcy just a few years ago, but in 2007, it earned a net income of $403 million (its first year of profit since 2000). I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re going to start to see more of these types of user fees from the major U.S. air carriers.
It’ll be a good idea to touch bases with your air carrier before travel and just reconfirm their baggage requirements so you don’t have any surprises at the airport. Imagine if you were this guy checking in for a United Airlines flight…yikes!
