Last week I wrote about a soldier returning from active duty who was charged $200 to check his kevlar armor on a short United domestic flight. I defended United, but anything that remotely smacks of being anti-military is a losing PR battle. United has updated its checked baggage policy, giving active duty members of the military an even greater baggage allowance.
Members of the military traveling on orders (official duty) may now check up to five bags at 100lbs each. Previously, the limit was five bags at up to 70lbs each.
The man at the center of the controversy last week had a bag that weighed somewhere between 70 and 100lbs.
United is also granting a greater baggage allowance to spouses of military members on relocation orders.
That makes United the most generous legacy carrier. Here are the new rules:
- Active U.S. military personnel and their accompanying dependents, not traveling on official business, receive waived service charges for up to three checked bags at 70 pounds (32 kg) each
- Active U.S. military personnel and their dependents traveling on official business receive waived service charges for up to five checked bags at 100 pounds (45 kg) each
- Dependents traveling with active U.S. military personnel are also exempt as long as they are traveling in the same reservation
Delta allows four free bags up to 70lbs each. American allows five bags up to 70lbs each.
Only Southwest, which seems to allow an unlimited number of bags (within reason of course) at up to 100lbs each is more genreous–
Military Passengers traveling on active duty or permanent change of station orders will be exempt from the two-piece Baggage limit and will not be subject to excess, oversize, or overweight Baggage charges, provided that none of the pieces of Baggage exceeds 100 pounds in weight and 80 inches in size.
A Smart Move
Although I reasoned that airlines should not have to subsidize the military (since travel expenses like baggage fees are reimbursable), one commenter noted that it is very difficult to break down the kevlar armor into separate bags. Thus, it becomes virtually impossible to keep a bag under 70lbs. While I did not independently verify that claim, if true then I’m fine with the change.
Even if not, being labeled anti-military is corporate suicide: United wisely reasoned that increasing the baggage limit would cause less pain than any further media scrutiny. I would have made the same policy change.
CONCLUSION
If you are a member of the U.S. military on TDY or relocation, rest assured that your bags can now weigh up to 100lbs each when traveling on United.
Well, as airlines that use military in its campaign against ME3, its only fair that that the said military get a benefit from United. That is, until some of us, paid/revenue passanger having our baggage left out because they have no room left or overall baggagr is too heavy.
Sorry, it’s too much. Family members at 70 lbs x 3 as well ?? This could literally mean a ton of baggage for one family. Why don’t you just invite the cousins, grandparents and siblings along as well so that they can get in on the act. United is now the “fraidy-cat” airline that has become the Bank of United. Give away the whole store while they find a way to sneakily chip away amenities from all the regular paying passengers.
Crazy I know right how dare military members that serve so you can sleep in your lil cozy bed get benefits because they lay their time and lives for you in grateful shits
I think you made the assumption that servicemembers always get reimbursed for excess baggage fees…I can assure you that’s not always the case. I returned from a 4-month military course on the other side of the country and had one bag in the 70-100 pound range because of extra text books and printed materials provided during the course — this resulted in a $200 fee I had to eat because my command refused to pay (cited no preauthorization in my orders). While I can afford to absorb the exorbitant cost, I certainly don’t think it is fair to the junior Soldiers, sailors, and airmen that can’t afford it.
Well done, United, in adjusting your policy to meet the needs of the 0.4% who volunteer to serve and defend America.
I’m always thrilled to see those who didn’t volunteer to serve, complain about the benefits extended to those who have willingly chosen to put their own lives on the line for the country. But I suppose everyone believes their opinions matter these days since there were thousands upon thousands that died before they came along that gave them the right to be so nasty to our country’s military
Not sure who your message is directed to, but I (the author) did serve…USAF.
I think the comment went to JoEllen maybe.
Its funny because an actual military owned flight I am taking myself only allows 2 checked bags at 75 pounds each….
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surfs-up-surfboard-fees-wiped-out-in-california-on-united-airlines-300724644.html
Guess one way to differentiate.
I love this. Thank you United. Its not always true the military reimburses for baggage, flights etc. If they see fit They will allow up to two bags (for us) reimbursed each traveler. When traveling with children it is hard to keep the things they will need plus yourself in 2 bags or less up to 70 or 80lbs. We wont see our belongings for 6-8 weeks once we get to our relocation base bc it is shipped via military crates. It could take longer. People are so quick to jusge or react when the simple fact is they are ignorant to how processes really work. It makes being a military dependent difficult yet some thing we have it easy. Before making rude statements, know your facts. Thank you United. You will be the airline we fly with to go yo our new home in Japan. 🙂
You need to educate yourself Joellen. Once You have done that then maybe you’ll actually see United is doing right by those who serve and their family members.