United follows American

Well, it’s a sad day. It looks like all the airlines will be following American and begin charging for every checked bag. I just opened an email fron United and here are the first few lines:

Dear Mr. Matthew Brandon,

We want you to be among the first to know about changes to our checked baggage policy and revised fees for excess, oversized and overweight baggage and special items. Today, we are announcing that for tickets issued on or after June 13, 2008 for travel on or after August 18, 2008, a $15 service fee will apply to check one bag for United Economy® travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. As previously announced, a $25 service fee will apply to check a second bag.

It email goes on to tell me that as a 1K traveler I am exempt from this new rule. Never the less, it frustrates me that now to travel by air you have to pay for your luggage to accompany you.

I am in the Bay area for two weeks. Then on to Malaysia.