In a move so predictable that it’s like predicting the sun will rise tomorrow, United hikes bag fees, following American Airlines almost verbatim. Unfortunately, unlike American, United doesn’t publish its baggage fees.
Last week, American Airlines announced several changes, including restrictions on earning miles and loyalty points and baggage charges. However, while American increased its checked bag fees across the board, it actually reduced its overweight, oversized, and overweight + oversized fees, too. So it wasn’t all bad news. Not so with United.
United Hikes Bag Fees
In an entirely expected move, an announcement was made on Friday – United hikes bag fees. Only, United didn’t publish an article about it on its website like American did, nor does it have a baggage fee schedule to update – they have a fee calculator instead. Instead, we learned from new outlets in the know that they’re instituting a $5 increase across the board.
That means an Economy passenger on a domestic flight will pay $40 for their first checked bag and $50 for the second. Copying American even further, passengers may receive a $5 discount for paying for their checked bag(s) online at least 24 hours before their scheduled departure time. That brings the first bag fee down to $35 and the second bag fee to $45.
These new fees go into effect for tickets purchased on or after February 24. If you booked your flight before then, you should be grandfathered into the old fee structure.
It’s worth mentioning here that United’s second bag fee is $5 higher than Americans.
Ways to Avoid
Of course, there are ways to avoid paying checked bag fees altogether, even as United hikes bag fees. For example, if you’re a United MileagePlus member with status, here’s what your baggage benefits look like:
- Silver: 1 free checked bag up to 70lbs
- Gold: 2 free checked bags up to 70lbs each
- Platinum: 3 free checked bags up to 70lbs each
- 1k:3 free checked bags up to 70lbs each
It’s worth reminding that Marriott Bonvoy has a relationship with United in which Bonvoy Titanium members enjoy United Premier Silver status. Of course, Star Alliance Gold members also get a free checked bag.
Don’t got status? You can get free checked bags with a co-brand credit card from Chase:
- United Explorer ($95 annual fee): 1 free checked bag for cardholder and 1 companion on the same itinerary
- United Quest ($250 annual fee): 1 free checked bag for cardholder and 3 companions on the same itinerary
- United Club Infinite ($525 annual fee): 1 free checked bag for cardholder and 3 companions on the same itinerary
- United Presidential Plus: 1 free checked bag for cardholder and 3 companions on the same itinerary
- United Presidential Plus Business: 1 free checked bag for cardholder and 3 companions on the same itinerary
- United Business ($99 annual fee): 1 free checked bag for cardholder and 1 companion on the same itinerary
- United Club Business ($450 annual fee): 1 free checked bag for cardholder and 3 companions on the same itinerary
United Hikes Bag Fees, Final Thoughts
Any time any airline increases their checked-bag fees, it sucks. But there are ways around them, as highlighted above. Of course, for domestic flights, there is another option – Southwest. They let everyone check two bags for free. Routing, however, may not be ideal, and I know some can’t stand their open seating policy.
I’m not a United flyer, so this doesn’t really impact me. Yes, Alaska was the first airline to bump up their fee, but I have their co-brand credit card, so that isn’t really a concern for me. Yet. Keeping that card is becoming more questionable after the annual fee hike and spending requirement for the companion fare certificate… However, that’s a topic for a separate post.
At any rate, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time until Delta follows suit – unless they plan on surprising us for once.