United Airlines doubles second-bag fee to $50

[DandyDon]

United Airlines doubles second-bag fee to $50 | Industries | Industrials, Materials & Utilities | Reuters

I mentioned this to my LDS yesterday; they hadn't heard as United doesn't come here, but other airlines might follow? Cutting weight limits from 70# to 50# per bag didn't hurt too much, but the second bag fee is hurting dive shops away from diving areas - and Lubbock is far away from any.

In contrast: Air Canada ends bag fee, folds fuel surcharge into fares

"Further, Air Canada is making its pricing more transparent by removing add-on fuel surcharges for flights within North America and instead adjusting its base fares to cover the total cost of fuel."

 

[tfsails]

I'm not defending airlines by any means, but they HAVE to make enough money to cover costs, just like any business does. Personally, I'd rather pay a little more for fares than a checked bag fee, but my opinion probably means nothing to them.

One inviolate law of physics is in play here: The heavier the airplane, the more gas it takes to make it fly. The more gas, the more it costs to fly that plane. We cannot change that law.

 

[scubafanatic]

I'm not defending airlines by any means, but they HAVE to make enough money to cover costs, just like any business does. Personally, I'd rather pay a little more for fares than a checked bag fee, but my opinion probably means nothing to them.

One inviolate law of physics is in play here: The heavier the airplane, the more gas it takes to make it fly. The more gas, the more it costs to fly that plane. We cannot change that law.

...I agree, but if I'm gonna get dinged for 'excessive' baggage weight, I want the airlines to actually weigh the passengers too and charge extra for that....me, at 150 lbs, should be allowed to bring an extra 150 lbs. of gear if I'm gonna pay the same airfare as the 300 lbs. slob sitting next to me ! a pound is a pound, isn't it ?

 

[fisheater]

I've never seen an industry so intent on alienating and abusing its customers.

 

[tstormdiver]

I'm not defending airlines by any means, but they HAVE to make enough money to cover costs, just like any business does. Personally, I'd rather pay a little more for fares than a checked bag fee, but my opinion probably means nothing to them.

OK, fair enough. Why not they just incorporate the fees into the ticket price & then give refunds, coupons, miles,.... for those who only check 1 bag or none. Or even incorporate the bag fee when you purchase the ticket. Surely most will know how much luggage they're going to take. I like to know what I'm paying upfront & be done with it instead of having to guess when I get to the check- in. If need be, that can be arbitrary, "well, we just raised our rates, pay it, fly without your luggage or don't fly". My thoughts to the industry (though it doesn't mean diddely squat) is QUIT NICKEL & DIMING US TO DEATH!

 

[DandyDon]

...I agree, but if I'm gonna get dinged for 'excessive' baggage weight, I want the airlines to actually weigh the passengers too and charge extra for that....me, at 150 lbs, should be allowed to bring an extra 150 lbs. of gear if I'm gonna pay the same airfare as the 300 lbs. slob sitting next to me ! a pound is a pound, isn't it ?

Hehe that's only fair. This may have failed tho, as I haven't heard more about it...??

OK, fair enough. Why not they just incorporate the fees into the ticket price & then give refunds, coupons, miles,.... for those who only check 1 bag or none. Or even incorporate the bag fee when you purchase the ticket. Surely most will know how much luggage they're going to take. I like to know what I'm paying upfront & be done with it instead of having to guess when I get to the check- in. If need be, that can be arbitrary, "well, we just raised our rates, pay it, fly without your luggage or don't fly". My thoughts to the industry (though it doesn't mean diddely squat) is QUIT NICKEL & DIMING US TO DEATH!

They hook you on the ticket price, then nickel and dime you; they get more that way...

 

[stu_in_fl]

OK, fair enough. Why not they just incorporate the fees into the ticket price & then give refunds, coupons, miles,.... for those who only check 1 bag or none. Or even incorporate the bag fee when you purchase the ticket. Surely most will know how much luggage they're going to take. I like to know what I'm paying upfront & be done with it instead of having to guess when I get to the check- in. If need be, that can be arbitrary, "well, we just raised our rates, pay it, fly without your luggage or don't fly". My thoughts to the industry (though it doesn't mean diddely squat) is QUIT NICKEL & DIMING US TO DEATH!

i agree completely - I want to know the cost up front not be surprised/annoyed just before getting on a plane. I certainly know why they do it (as Don said - they get you on the hook and then you can't do anything about it), but annoying none the less.

I see some airlines in other parts of the world charge $x / kg for excess charges - some horror stories of how that can mount up.