New United Baggage Policy

[Disneyfalcon]

Hi everyone. Heads up if you're flying United to WDW (or anywhere else for that matter). Starting May 5th unless you're a premier level executive or higher you will be charged $25 to check a second bag.

There are some exceptions like people traveling on refundable fares, government fares, etc. But for the average traveler, this means you can only check one bag or fork over some more money to United.

Here's the article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-tue_baggagefeb05,0,1359132.story

 

[mousermerf]

That's stupid. I'm not flying with United anytime soon - and i rarely check ANY bags, but that's a crappy policy.

 

[JDM]

You know, I've never really understood this problem.
I've got no problem with this policy, as long as they enforce the carry-on size rules so no one can stuff the compartments with extra crap that they really don't need anyway..

I've travelled quite a bit and I cannot imagine having to take so much stuff with me that I would need more than one checked bag for JUST MYSELF.
Even on cruises, where you have to have formal, casual and beach stuff--multiple outfits in one day, plus spares....still one bag a piece and it's not hard!

My opinion is that unless you're moving somewhere or taking a very long trip, this really shouldn't be an issue. And if you ARE doing one of those things, then $25 should be affordable.

Just sayin'.

 

[tooltime]

i can only imagine the fee for an over the weight limit suitcase

 

[mousermerf]

I'm sorry, but packin for 3 days in a carry-on is hard and i'm an experienced traveler. Add snowy weather and formal clothing and i'm screwed. Now, if i had to dress like a tourist in Bermuda shorts and tommy Bahamas with sandals and maybe some some zinc oxide for my nose then maybe - just maybe - my maximum size allowed by ANY airline for a carry-on would fit everything for a 3-day just fine, but 3-days formal in the snow and i'm screwed.

And why ding someone just because you can?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

There's no way I could stay with one bag on a weeklong trip to WDW. Even if I could make it there, on the way home I would have nowhere to pack any souveniers I bought.

I'm forseeing some really angry passengers on United. Poor ticket counter people.

 

[mickey&me]

This is just a bad idea. With all the restrictions on carry-ons, the least they could do is leave the checked bags alone. I'm glad that I don't usually fly United. For me, this will make my decision. Everything else similar or even close, and I'll choose any other airline over United from now on.

 

[slowbee]

You know, I've never really understood this problem.
I've got no problem with this policy, as long as they enforce the carry-on size rules so no one can stuff the compartments with extra crap that they really don't need anyway..

I've travelled quite a bit and I cannot imagine having to take so much stuff with me that I would need more than one checked bag for JUST MYSELF.
Even on cruises, where you have to have formal, casual and beach stuff--multiple outfits in one day, plus spares....still one bag a piece and it's not hard!

My opinion is that unless you're moving somewhere or taking a very long trip, this really shouldn't be an issue. And if you ARE doing one of those things, then $25 should be affordable.

Just sayin'.

When you travel with Children (1 yr old, 2 yr old), then you need the extra clothes.

 

[csaribay]

I'd rather see this than a $25 ticket hike that would ensue instead. If you had to check one or two extra pieces for a family of four, that's $25/50. If you had to pay the $25 in a fare hike, that's a fast $100. It was hard, but I was able to manage seven nights in San Francisco recently with just a tiny roll-aboard. Two pairs of jeans, one pair of shorts, seven shirts, a set of night clothes and related undergarments all fit in there, plus a MacBook that's not shown in the laptop compartment in the back.

I rarely check through one piece of luggage- I can't imagine doing two unless I was moving. Besides, for a family of four heading to Disney, that still means you can check through FOUR items, and carry on FOUR items. That's a lot. I admit that I didn't have any space for souvenirs, which is a caveat of such a small roll-aboard.

Then again, I try to keep my flying activity on American, so it's little more than moot for me.

 

[Hrudey3032]

Meh, United is high priced anyway so I rarely even check their flights out.I will stick to Airtran or NWA.They are generally 100 or more less than United and just as good service.

 

[JDM]

When you travel with Children (1 yr old, 2 yr old), then you need the extra clothes.

Agreed.
But remember, that's one checked bag for EACH PASSENGER, not one for the entire party. Surely you shouldn't need more than 4 checked bags for a family of four.....

I'm sorry, but packin for 3 days in a carry-on is hard and i'm an experienced traveler. Add snowy weather and formal clothing and i'm screwed. Now, if i had to dress like a tourist in Bermuda shorts and tommy Bahamas with sandals and maybe some some zinc oxide for my nose then maybe - just maybe - my maximum size allowed by ANY airline for a carry-on would fit everything for a 3-day just fine, but 3-days formal in the snow and i'm screwed.

And why ding someone just because you can?

You missed the point. No one said you had to pack everything in your carry-on. You are allowed one checked bag per person SEPARATE from your carry-on. (hence the name 'carry-on') Believe me, if my wife can get all her outfits for a 7-day cruise easily into one suitcase, then anyone can!

I think people are misunderstanding the policy a bit.
And if not, and they absolutely must take everything they own on a plane and $25 will break their budget, then perhaps they might reconsider a big vacation.

Think of it this way....the less luggage checked, the less chance they will lose it.

Again, just sayin'

 

[kimmychad]

Agreed.
But remember, that's one checked bag for EACH PASSENGER, not one for the entire party. Surely you shouldn't need more than 4 checked bags for a family of four.....





You missed the point. No one said you had to pack everything in your carry-on. You are allowed one checked bag per person SEPARATE from your carry-on. (hence the name 'carry-on') Believe me, if my wife can get all her outfits for a 7-day cruise easily into one suitcase, then anyone can!

I think people are misunderstanding the policy a bit.
And if not, and they absolutely must take everything they own on a plane and $25 will break their budget, then perhaps they might reconsider a big vacation.

Think of it this way....the less luggage checked, the less chance they will lose it.

Again, just sayin'

well we've been to disney the first couple weeks of december, and although the weather can be nice during the day, it got pretty chilly at night. hence the need to bring heavier clothes for the evening. and it really isnt a matter of whether or not i can jam everything i need into a carry-on and a checked bag, its just that every other airline allows 2 checked bags, and until recently, southwest allowed 3. i fly southwest anyways, they're usually cheaper than anyone else for me

 

[DISMOM]

Hey, there, JDM, do you have kids? Do you take extra pairs of shoes? Do you take extra toileties or use the generic stuff the hotel provides? Do you have any regular medications, nebulizers, excema, [special soap needed] ect...? Yes, a family of four needs more than four bags. Unless it's going to be in the nineties, whereas shorts and tee shirts are fine or you plan on doing laundry while on vacation? As for me, I'd rather enjoy Disney [this is a Disney oriented website, after all] and pack all of my bags of dirty laundry to do at home. Also, as a Mom, it's good to be prepared for a couple of minor emergencies and get on with the vacation instead of coming to a squeaching halt, leaving the Magic and hitting a convience store or walmart when you need something. Thanks.

 

[bgraham34]

All the airlines are going to be doing this. You can bet they all will pull crap like this with different things on a plane. They are even talking about charging more for an isle and less for a middle row seat.

 

[PhilharMagician]

This is insane. Another take advantage of the vacationer ploy. Last year the airlines posted huge profits and now they need to hit up the people again. All tehy seem to do is take more and more from the passanger and give less back. You know that maybe I should backcharge the airlines when the are late or decide to cancel my flight last minute just because they can. :fork:

US Airways goes bankrupt and within 2 years is out and looking to buy Delta Airlines. :dazzle: These companies are doing pretty well.

With the minimum 150% increase in fare over the last 3 years should more than cover the cost of me having a second checked bag once in a while.

 

[JDM]

Hey, there, JDM, do you have kids?

Yes, I do

Do you take extra pairs of shoes?

Yes, usually two pairs per person (more, if you count flip-flops and stuff)

Do you take extra toileties or use the generic stuff the hotel provides?

Actually yes, to both questions. I don't care which I use, but my wife prefers the stuff from home.

Do you have any regular medications, nebulizers, excema, [special soap needed] ect...?

Nebulizers, no. Hair dryers, hair spray (again, for my wife!) Medications, not many, but vitamins, along with emergency supplies of aspirin, cold medicine and --God forbid--"intestinal" medicines! Phone chargers. Extra sunglasses, suntan lotion, hand cream and other assorted toiletries.

Yes, a family of four needs more than four bags. Unless it's going to be in the nineties, whereas shorts and tee shirts are fine or you plan on doing laundry while on vacation? As for me, I'd rather enjoy Disney [this is a Disney oriented website, after all] and pack all of my bags of dirty laundry to do at home.

Me, too. We have never done laundry on a vacation. T-shirts, shorts, etc for daytime, slacks and nicer clothes in the evening. Admittedly no ties for me at Disney. At least two changes of clothes per day, excluding pool stuff.

Also, as a Mom, it's good to be prepared for a couple of minor emergencies and get on with the vacation instead of coming to a squeaching halt, leaving the Magic and hitting a convience store or walmart when you need something. Thanks.

Rain ponchos, extra copies of all travel documents and ID in every bag. Books, travel guides, MP3 player, favorite stuffed animals and even some homework if needed. (again, not for me!)

We always take more than we need. And it just has never been a problem.
Sorry.

 

[maryszhi]

im mad, they know people useually check two bags one for clothes, one for toiletteries. We always do the max, and will continue to do so, only becuase we havet to. United better change this or theyre going to loose alot of customers

 

[MichWolv]

It's a business decision. We all have the right, if we want, to refuse to do business with United because of this policy. I very rarely have 2 pieces of luggage to check, but there have been times when I did, and I'd be annoyed to have to pay for the second bag. That being said, I don't think I have some sort of "right" to have two checked bags included in the price of my plane ticket. They're offering a service, and I'm free to take or leave it, as is everybody else.

As for those complaining that they're just trying to "screw the traveler", or that the airlines are making plenty of money and they don't need to make any more, I'd say welcome to free enterprise. Companies set prices and product offerings in the way that is best for them, not the way that is best for us. Of course they want to make customers happy, but only because that's good for business. If making (or keeping) a certain group of customers happy is deemed too expensive, the business will decide that the better business decision is forego that piece of business -- that's the way it goes.

I'm a consultant, and I ask all my clients to sign an arrangement letter with certain provision in it. If they don't like the letter, they don't need to buy my services, and I understand and accept that. Just as I'm sure United understands and accepts that they'll lose some business over this. Apparently, they think that cost is worth the benefit of more revenue and less checked bags.

 

[Montyboy]

This reminds me of the woman who suggested packing a fish scale so you could check the weight of your bags so none are over 50lbs.
If you're thinking of packing a fish scale (or 50lbs. of stuff), you should rethink what you're bringing.

 

[Disneykidder]

Well said Dismom...with kids...sorry, you need a few extras. Me, personally, I need one suitcase plus a toiletry bag that I can't take on the plane anymore like I used to. I also have daily meds that I must take so, um, yeah, kinda need more than one. I can fit my sons things on one bag and my husbands in another, but need another for sweatshirts, ponchos...and stuff like that. The airline industry is getting a bit ooc and needs to chill out. Too many restrictions and guidelines. I love flying but they are taking all of the fun out of it.