Well, I guess this means I have to stop picking on American Airlines.
On Thursday United Airlines announced it plans to join American and charge passengers $15 for a first checked bag.
American set the precedent for the charge and now it appears baggage fees are becoming an unavoidable part of U.S. air travel.
First, it was the $25 charge for checking a second bag now this $15 fee for the first bag… before you know it U.S. carriers will be charging travelers for each carry-on they lug on board planes.
Blame it on the record fuel prices they say. Of course, airline execs said the same thing when they raised fares, tacked on higher fuel surcharges and service charges, and started charging more for window seats.
At this point (technically as of July 1st) Southwest Airlines is the only U.S. carrier that allows passengers to check in two bags for free, according to travel experts. Though, how long that will last is anyone’s guess. (My thought: not much longer.)
If you think paying $15 for a checked bag is steep consider what Spirit Airlines is doing to their passengers: the discount carrier discount carrier is now charging extra for seat reservations — $5 for middle seats, $10 for window and aisle seats and $15 for exit-row seats.
Getting back to United’s announcement, it says its baggage fee will go into place with customers who buy tickets on domestic flights with departures of August 18th or later. The new fee does not apply to customers flying in first or business class or those who have premier status with United or Star Alliance, and according to the airline, first and second bags will still be free on international flights, aside from those departing from or arriving into Canada.
In addition to the 15 buck copy cat fee it lifted from American, United also announced it plans to increase the fee to check three or more bags, overweight bags or items that require special handling to $125 from $100, or to $250 from $200, depending on the item.
What do you make of the airlines’ a la carte charges?
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