Checking bags may cost you
Before you take your next flight, check the baggage policy of your airline. Recent changes could cost you if you don’t know the rules.
United has announced that it will begin charging $25 each way to check a second bag. The fee goes into effect May 5 and applies to those who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets. The fee will not apply to elite Mileage Plus members.
United is not the only airline making baggage-policy changes. Southwest long had offered three free checked bags, but in late January, it began charging for a third checked bag. People have complained about the fee, but at $25 each way it is what other carriers charge.
This is just the latest in a long line of fees, such as charges of $3 to $5 for snacks and $2 for curbside check-in. European airlines Ryanair and EasyJet have been charging fees for all checked luggage, all drinks and for using a credit card to buy tickets.
New U.S. discounter Skybus takes the same approach. There is no free checked luggage, and there is a charge for beverages, snacks, meals, pillows and blankets. You cannot bring food or drink onboard unless you require items that are not for sale on board, such as baby food, diabetic meals or kosher meals.
We can’t really blame airlines such as United for trying to generate extra revenue. They do have increased costs because of fuel prices, labor and new aircraft, and they have been unsuccessful at getting fare increases to stick. With round-trip coast-to-coast airfares available for $198 during sales, the legacy airlines are looking to increase their revenue in other ways.
Whether United’s second-bag fee will stick depends on the other major U.S. airlines. If they don’t match, there is a chance the fee will disappear. However, because United is projecting that it will earn an extra $100 million, there is a good chance this fee will spread.
If you are accustomed to checking two bags, get smart and find one bag to check that meets airline requirements, and another that meets the carry-on requirements.