United Airlines Follows US Airways and Adds Airport Baggage Fee.

Yesterday, United Airlines followed US Airways in charging an additional $5 for checking baggage at the airport. US Airways announced the charge in late April. The current fee for checking bags with United, $15 for the first and $25 for the second, will increase for those passengers that decide against pre-paying for checked bags online. You can still drop your bags off at the aiport fee-free, yet if you pay for checked baggage at the airport there is a price to pay.

This is the latest attempt by both US Airways and United, heavy codeshare partners and members of the Star Alliance, to increase ancillary revenue. If you recall from United’s first quarter report for 2009, the carrier made $259 million in fees (mostly baggage related).

Not only does the new charge  help increase ancillary revenue values on United’s and US Airways’s balance-sheet, but it encourages passengers to switch and get used to online check-in. By checking in online, less check-in agents are needed at the front desks. They are still needed to weigh-in baggage and assist customers, but will this really work?

How far are they gonna go?

United Airlines and US Airways should be careful – they’re developing a “feeputation”. Although fees may help out carriers in these tough times, I have met several travelers who have made the switch to Southwest Airlines due to the fee-free atmosphere at Southwest. Unlike US Airways’ beverage fee (which ended), another carrier has adapted their new fee idea – however, it’s not too surprising to hear that it’s United.

Here are the specifics, from United’s website:

you purchased tickets…	for travel…	then the following fees will apply for checked bags:
		First bag	Second bag
anytime	before June 10, 2009	$15	$25
before May 14, 2009	on or after June 10, 2009	$11	$21
on or after May 14, 2009	on or after June 10, 2009	$15	$25

Checked baggage fees paid at the airport

If you purchased tickets…	for travel…	then the following fees will apply for checked bags:
		First bag	Second bag
before May 14, 2009	anytime	$15	$25
on or after May 14, 2009	before June 10, 2009	$15	$25
on or after May 14, 2009	on or after June 10, 2009	$20	$30

Note: A $2 fee may apply for each bag checked via curbside check-in at certain U.S. airports.