Other than status or getting Chase UA cards, how can I waive baggage fees?
Jan 4, 2016, 8:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Other than status or getting Chase UA cards, how can I waive baggage fees?
My wife and I are flying LAX-OGG in a few weeks and we have no UA status nor do we have any Chase UA cards. We will apply for those in the future, not ready for them yet. I want to just bring a couple carry-ons, but she won't be able to do it. I'm not thrilled about paying $25 x2. Any other ways I can avoid this fee?
Jan 4, 2016, 9:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
One checked bag and a carry on? Saves you 50% of the fees!
It's Maui, not like you need tops & tails.
Edit: Unless you meant the x2 being the r/t charge for just your wife checking a bag and not each of you checking one which would then be x4 for the whole trip.
It's Maui, not like you need tops & tails.
Edit: Unless you meant the x2 being the r/t charge for just your wife checking a bag and not each of you checking one which would then be x4 for the whole trip.
Jan 4, 2016, 10:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: AS MVP; UA Silver; HHonors Silver; HyattGP Platinum; Hertz PC
Posts: 113
+1
Paid upgrade...or even buy F fares from the start. You'd be surprised how reasonable they can be. Earlier today, I priced F fares at $1,312 r/t on UA and $1,256 r/t on AA, (from DEN for next month). Economy is usually around $900 r/t from here...other markets obviously could vary widely.
EDIT: Just Kayak'ed F fares out of LAX-OGG next month. $969 on HA and $999 on AA. $1,253 on UA. ($380 for economy is amazing! Wow...being based out of LAX has it's advantages, I guess.)
Paid upgrade...or even buy F fares from the start. You'd be surprised how reasonable they can be. Earlier today, I priced F fares at $1,312 r/t on UA and $1,256 r/t on AA, (from DEN for next month). Economy is usually around $900 r/t from here...other markets obviously could vary widely.
EDIT: Just Kayak'ed F fares out of LAX-OGG next month. $969 on HA and $999 on AA. $1,253 on UA. ($380 for economy is amazing! Wow...being based out of LAX has it's advantages, I guess.)
Last edited by unitedfflyer; Jan 4, 2016 at 10:19 pm Reason: Added info from Kayak.
Jan 4, 2016, 10:33 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LIM
Programs: United Premier 1K, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, AmEx Plat
Posts: 559
Unfortunately, no. There is no way to waive baggage fees. Unless one of you is a Premier member, or is travelling with a Premier member (1 companion per person for Silver/Gold) or you have the Chase card, I would suggest trying to fit everything on the two carry-ons each of you can take to avoid baggage fees.
Jan 4, 2016, 10:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
When bringing children home from college, or flying them there, I usually end up buying F for the baggage allowance.
2 bags, "Up to 62.0 linear inches (157cm) L + W + H and 70.0 lbs (32 kg) per bag"
https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/tra...edBaggage.aspx
Jan 4, 2016, 10:56 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Just outside Big D, or many other places in big metal tubes
Programs: WN Rpd.Rwrds, AA, was longtime CO very top Elite tier, Overentitled UA Lifetime 1K (since 2012)
Posts: 1,334
Depending upon how often you plan to travel in the next year , you may want to check out UA's baggage subscriptions. They cover your checked bags for a year. Just do the math to see if you would save overall. Check out UA's website for full details under "Subscriptions."
Jan 5, 2016, 12:21 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Just outside Big D, or many other places in big metal tubes
Programs: WN Rpd.Rwrds, AA, was longtime CO very top Elite tier, Overentitled UA Lifetime 1K (since 2012)
Posts: 1,334
Also, pack just what you need and purchase some things when you get there. Wear swim suits and shorts under your pants. Wear 3 shirts & 3 pairs of pants. 
Jan 5, 2016, 4:50 am
#13
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,326
Jan 5, 2016, 6:00 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Avis Pres, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,305
I know some multi-millionaires who absolutely go nuts over the idea of a $25 baggage fee ... They go hours and hours out of the way just to avoid paying one.
Seems ridiculous to me, but maybe that's why they have the money (and I don't!)