We leave today for bangkok. Wanted to double check with the experts on being 1 lb overweight on each of our 2 bags. I know with delta last winter, they allowed up to 1 pound over the 50 lb limit. Does United also let 1 lb over slide?
Our trip is for 4 months, so yes we need every pound we can get, lol.
Depends upon who you get! I've had to remove a few pieces of clothing to get down to 70 lbs and then again I just checked in 9 boxes (3 of us on GF award tickets to BKK from LAS) all btw 72 & 77 pounds at no extra. All got the "Heavy" tag but I went to a sky cap and took care of him, prior to heading to the 1K counter.
There is NO ONE answer for this as some agents will ding you if they can.
I've never had an agent not let me do this. However you should have a plan B just in case. It may also help to be 50.9 vs. 51 pounds.
You've been lucky then, and it would be my suggestion that the OP be at 49.9 lbs unless he's got a roll of packaging tape in his pocket and/or doesn't mind tearing through his baggage in front of thousands of people, removing stuff that he must now live without, throwing it away in the nearest dumpster, like I've seen many, many times while waiting to check in.
At DL, where my daughter works, these agents get spiffs for extra charges. Don't know about UA, but my suggestion would be to not take the word of anyone that has nothing to loose. Either that, or as I mentioned previously, grease the sky cap if it's that BIG of a deal to go over a pound or two!
Few years ago I'm in the hotel gym working out, and a bunch of people walk in, fully dressed, with all their luggage. I'm thinking "What the %&*?".
Then they get on the scale, without, and then with their luggage, and the light bulb goes off. They bought stuff in NYC, and were weighing the luggage to make sure they didn't have overweight luggage.
The rule indicates the limit is 50 pounds. If you are not willing to pay excess fees, pack 49 pounds (remember--your scale at home is not the final determinant).
Along these lines...if you will not be happy flying Y and are expecting an UG, book C. Or, if you will not be happy in a standard room and are expecting a suite, book a suite.
I know for a fact that my bathroom scale reads 10 lbs more than it's supposed to, in fact just yesterday, the day after Thanksgiving, it was exactly 14.235 over!
Seriously, asking if an agent is going to wink a pound or two through is the same as wondering if the motorcycle cop with his radar gun around the corner from my house will just wave at me when I blow by him at 8/10 mph over the posted limit.
Unless the scale you are using to estimate weight has been checked and you know it's accurate, I wouldn't dream of approaching the 50 lbs. Your 51 lbs is apporx. 55 lbs if your scale is off by 10%. Move some heavier small stuff into your carry-ons and you will be fine.
Programs: United Gold (with Stockholm Syndrome), *wood Plat/LT Gold
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While an obviously risky strategy, I have had success in the past if I placed my bag on the scale (it was a rather large bag) with one of the 4 wheels not actually on the scale. This only works though if the scales at the airport have the metal buffer around the weighing plate.
Don't count on any flexibility and be happy if you get it. By the way, this product from Tumi has been well worth the investment. Great when you are on the road. http://www.tumi.com/product/index.js...ndSrc=paramNav
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