So, it now looks like most legacy carriers have adopted the $25 fee for checking a second bag. Though United originally carved out some high fare customers from paying the second fee, most other airlines did not. Of course, seeing an opportunity for a little more revenue, United has now followed them. For a link on the United homepage.
UPDATE – On April 4, 2008, United revised its domestic checked baggage fees to include customers traveling on refundable fares, government fares and Standard Award tickets in Economy class in the policy charging a service fee for checking a second bag. Customers who purchased these types of fares on or after February 4, 2008 and prior to April 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008 may request a waiver of the second bag service fee upon check-in with a Customer Service Representative at the airport. Alternatively, those customers may request reimbursement from United’s refund department.
Now, I understand that people on refundable fares probably aren’t checking a bag too often, but then why bother to carve them out in the first place, especially if your convictions weren’t strong enough to actually keep them carved out?
