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
View Comments (28)
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. ;)
Effectively immediately?
Lol, let me fix
WTF United. There is no reason to increase baggage fees.
Fuck the top 3 carrier. If you have half a brain you would have switched to Southwest long ago.
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.
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
The United credit card only gives you free bags if you pay with the cc correct?
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.
I think it’s more a question of HOW SOON American and Delta match these fees, not WHETHER.
Yep
it really is a BS charge!
Fly Southwest or Get the United CC
Basically pay a $95 annual fee to not have to pay a $30 bag fee each way.
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...
5/24 :(
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.
I need to take a churning 101 course I must not be good at it :(
Raise my rates $10 and I'll never think twice. Raise fees $10, and YOU ARE GREEDY!
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
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.)
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