United Increasing Baggage Fees Effective Immediately

United is following JetBlue and raising the fees for checked bags, these changes go into effect immediately. Fee increases are as follows:

Now it’s a question of whether American Airlines and Delta will follow United and increase fees as well. Chase United credit cardholders will still get free bags, as will qualifying elites.

Hat tip to Johnny Jet

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Yoni
Yoni (@guest_643681)
September 17, 2018 17:21

Looking like it could backfire on United as they are now the least competitive – and Delta/AA have let it ride.

reading Fool post on 16th – JetBlue still charges the same amount as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines for the first checked bag — unlike United – JBs” Blue Plus” fare is $25 more but included a free checked bag.

But I wouldn’t risk complaining at check-in they might bump you from a flight -or give your bags the special Samsonite Gorilla handling treatment. 😉

Yati
Yati (@guest_637930)
September 2, 2018 00:27

Effectively immediately?

Eric C
Eric C (@guest_637786)
September 1, 2018 14:30

WTF United. There is no reason to increase baggage fees.

Dan
Dan (@guest_637742)
September 1, 2018 11:57

Fuck the top 3 carrier. If you have half a brain you would have switched to Southwest long ago.

Josh
Josh (@guest_637743)
September 1, 2018 12:04

I prefer United for international overseas as they don’t pass on fuel surcharges. Eventually when southwest flights are all full they will just add the bag fees as well

Scott
Scott (@guest_637815)
September 1, 2018 16:10

I fly Southwest as much as possible just for the free checked bag and no change fee, but unfortunately they don’t service every airport, or it can be a connection vs direct on one of the big 3. With limited competition businesses can pull off more of these fees without fear of losing customers.

P
P (@guest_637724)
September 1, 2018 11:16

The United credit card only gives you free bags if you pay with the cc correct?

Deanfinder
Deanfinder (@guest_637737)
September 1, 2018 11:39
  P

Technically yes, though when I had it years ago I had some luck explaining to the agent that I had the card and showing it to them to get the fee waived.

Davy
Davy (@guest_637722)
September 1, 2018 11:07

I think it’s more a question of HOW SOON American and Delta match these fees, not WHETHER.

RC
RC (@guest_637794)
September 1, 2018 14:52

Yep

jumbo is fat
jumbo is fat (@guest_637713)
September 1, 2018 10:21

it really is a BS charge!

MickeyMouse
MickeyMouse (@guest_637716)
September 1, 2018 10:43

Fly Southwest or Get the United CC

Scott
Scott (@guest_637770)
September 1, 2018 13:46

Basically pay a $95 annual fee to not have to pay a $30 bag fee each way.

MickeyMouse
MickeyMouse (@guest_637817)
September 1, 2018 16:12

Or get the card for the SUB, pay a $0 AF for the first year (because it’s waived), and use the perk of free bags. 😉

That’s how I see it…

VL
VL (@guest_637853)
September 1, 2018 19:58

Well, as much as I would like to get a United card… if you are still eligible with Chase it means you are loosing way more by not churning enough.

MickeyMouse
MickeyMouse (@guest_637928)
September 2, 2018 00:22
  VL

I need to take a churning 101 course I must not be good at it 🙁

Joe
Joe (@guest_637706)
September 1, 2018 09:43

Raise my rates $10 and I’ll never think twice. Raise fees $10, and YOU ARE GREEDY!

DTCGuy
DTCGuy (@guest_637701)
September 1, 2018 09:29

If you’ve already booked a flight it’s looking like they will allow passengers to keep the old baggage pricing. I just checked in app for a flight around Christmas and they still have $25 for the first bag

Scott
Scott (@guest_637700)
September 1, 2018 09:27

United just doesn’t seem to care about its brand image. It looks bad to be the first airline (let alone the first major airline) to match a budget airline’s fee increase, and to do so this quickly.

Just add “most expensive checked bags” to “among the airlines with budget fares that don’t include an overhead item” and “substantially the smallest personal item size.” (And of course their other PR nightmare anecdotes.)

Frank
Frank (@guest_637756)
September 1, 2018 12:49

Yeah “most likely to kill your pet” and “we’ll beat the shit out of you instead of paying you when we overbook” were what turned me off… much rather fly Delta and get paid $1,000 to take the next flight