How to Avoid Paying the New, Higher United Checked Baggage Fee
If you are traveling with United, you might consider prepaying this checked baggage. On Friday, the airline announced that it plans to raise the cost of baggage screening from $ 30 to $ 35 starting March 6. The cost of the second checked baggage will also rise from $ 40 to $ 45.
You can avoid the extra $ 5 by prepaying your checked baggage at home when you check in for your flight. When you arrive at the airport, you can take your bag directly to the counter upon arrival and check it out as usual, you just get a little less cash than you would if you didn’t. Don’t pay at home.
While this $ 35 fee is high, United is not the only company to charge such a fee for checked baggage. In January, JetBlue raised its checked baggage fee to $ 35 for the first checked bag and $ 45 for the second. It also offers a $ 5 discount for customers who pay in advance.
If you are going on a short trip, this is another reason to consider packing exclusively in your carry-on luggage. Except for Basic Economy customers, each customer on United flights will continue to be eligible to bring one carry-on baggage and one personal item with them. If you pack well, you might get away with it.
United also offers free checked baggage for Premier customers. Silver customers can check in one bag for free, Gold customers can test two bags for free, and Platinum members can test three bags for free, weighing up to 70 pounds each.
United also offers free checked baggage for United Explorer cardholders and two free checked baggage for people holding the United Club Card and United Presidential Plus.
Or, you can always try to avoid this fee by wearing whatever you plan to take on the plane .