Archive for the 'My Take on Travel News' Category

What airlines are charging for the extra bag at check-in?

Published February 19, 2008 My Take on Travel News 2 Comments

Starting May 5th, 2008, United Airlines will charge passengers $25 to check a second bag. Is there a way to get around the fee?  You’ll be exempt if you buy a ticket that isn’t domestic nonrefundable or if you have Premier status of higher in United’s Mielage Plus Program. What about the Star Alliance members? You must have Silver status or higher to have the fee waived.

Spirit Airlines will double the fee for all checked bags beginning Feb. 20th, from $10 a bag if reserved, and $20 without reservations.

My take on this news? It’s annoying, expensive and will create longer lines at check-in while the airline explains the rules and collects payment.  If United finds it lucrative to charge for the second piece of checked luggage, then other major airlines will soon follow. It’s one more way the big carriers are squeezing more money out of  passengers who book the cheaper fares and aren’t flying business class.  Who ends up paying? Everyone pays with longer lines and those who will be hit the hardest are leisure travelers who pay for their own tickets and can’t “expense” the fee.

Marybeth Bond

Marybeth Bond is “THE” International travel expert for women. She’s followed the trend and written about it for two decades, most recently for the Wall Street Journal, More Magazine and NPR. She is the award winning author/editor of eleven books including the award-winning bestseller, 50 Best Girlfriends Getaways, A Woman's World, and Gutsy Women, which took her to The Oprah Winfrey show. A highly sought after spokesperson for a variety of businesses, including Hilton Garden Inn, AAA, Procter & Gamble. She has appeared on over 250 television and radio shows. Marybeth has traveled – alone, with her gal pals, daughters, sisters and mother for 40+ years to 6 continents. Then at age 29, she left her corporate job in the computer business and traveled around the world alone -- for 2 years. She walked, hiked, climbed, cycled and kayaked her way through six continents and more than 70 countries from Mt. Kilimanjaro to Kilarny. Marybeth’s been married for 22 years now (to the American she met in Kathmandu) and has 2 teen daughters. She still travels near and far, alone with husband, daughters, mother and gal pals.