United Airlines really doesn’t want you to fly their airline. Unless, of course, you’re a nudist. Back in June, they started charging $15 for your first checked bag and $25 for your second bag. Apparently the ticket price, plus the additional baggage charges weren’t much of a deterrent because now, all flights after November 10th will charge your second bag $50.
Members of the military traveling on orders (that’s so kind of them not to charge military members or the government for this little perk), “Premier” frequent fliers, and first or business class customers will be exempt from the charge.
The best part is United expects its “merchandising efforts” to add $700 million to their bottom line in 2009. And no, that’s not United selling $700 million dollars of t-shirts and model planes….they are calling the baggage charges merchandising efforts. I guess there isn’t a line in the General Ledger called “customer gouging” or “discouragement fees.”
FYI…I priced it out and if you don’t mind waiting up to 7 days for your bag, the price to ship a 50 pound suitcase from 90210 (Beverly Hills, CA) to Manhattan, NY (10001) is around $44. Just an option. At least you can insure the contents of your bag for their true value…unlike the airlines who give you next to nothing if they lose your bag.
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1 Websites tagged "airlines" on Postsaver // Feb 23, 2009 at 10:47 PM
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