United unveils annual subscription fee for baggage
October 7, 2009New baggage charges rarely win the praise of the flying public, but United Airlines' novel approach to levying the fee could be about to change that.
Frequent fliers in particular will be drawn to the new system, which gives passengers the option of paying an annual fee of $249 (£157) for near-unlimited luggage.
The so-called Premier Baggage scheme allows you to check in two items every time you fly with United or United Express in a 12-month period.
Depending on how many bags you check, solo passengers can expect the subscription fee to have paid for itself after between three and seven round trips.
But the scheme also covers up to eight other people named on your booking reservation, potentially resulting in big savings for families and other large groups.
United Airlines currently charges $20 to check in a single item of luggage and $30 for a second bag. Its new service will not apply to oversized or overweight bags.
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What do you think? Would you pay £150 for a year's worth of checked luggage?
