Luggage monetization
Jan 8, 2024, 7:46 am
#31
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Keeping in mind, packaged as such it would appear to fall under UA's fragile item policy and they'd have no liability for failing to deliver or completely smashing it (within the US) or giving you the cost of a banana (international)..
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/bag...ble-items.html
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/bag...ble-items.html
Jan 8, 2024, 12:55 pm
#32
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
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There were some startups which aimed to monetize unused luggage allowances -- marketplaces like "I need someone flying from SFO to PVG in the next 72 hours to bring 3 bags up to 70lb, we'll meet you at both airports and give you $50, of course you are free to look through the contents of the bag before and after". I don't think any of them survived the 2020 cull of travel but it was an interesting market for sure.
You could do this yourself by getting to the airport a little early, standing at the front of the checkin queue, asking people where they're going, and offering to sell your baggage allowance to anyone who's on the same flight as you and doesn't otherwise get free bags.
You could do this yourself by getting to the airport a little early, standing at the front of the checkin queue, asking people where they're going, and offering to sell your baggage allowance to anyone who's on the same flight as you and doesn't otherwise get free bags.
Jan 8, 2024, 8:29 pm
#33
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United gave out bonus miles for checking bags in late '22 (if I recall correctly on the period). I checked in an empty bag 
Jan 8, 2024, 9:31 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
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Jan 8, 2024, 10:14 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 253
There were some startups which aimed to monetize unused luggage allowances -- marketplaces like "I need someone flying from SFO to PVG in the next 72 hours to bring 3 bags up to 70lb, we'll meet you at both airports and give you $50, of course you are free to look through the contents of the bag before and after". I don't think any of them survived the 2020 cull of travel but it was an interesting market for sure.
You could do this yourself by getting to the airport a little early, standing at the front of the checkin queue, asking people where they're going, and offering to sell your baggage allowance to anyone who's on the same flight as you and doesn't otherwise get free bags.
You could do this yourself by getting to the airport a little early, standing at the front of the checkin queue, asking people where they're going, and offering to sell your baggage allowance to anyone who's on the same flight as you and doesn't otherwise get free bags.
Jan 8, 2024, 10:18 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 253
On the flip side to checked luggage... I wonder how much boarding time United could save by incentivizing people to not bring carry-on luggage. If they could save 10 minutes per flight then I imagine that'd translate into a significant amount of money from the increased schedule flexibility. Other (foreign) airlines can board large planes in significantly less time.
Jan 8, 2024, 10:52 pm
#38
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You could do this yourself by getting to the airport a little early, standing at the front of the checkin queue, asking people where they're going, and offering to sell your baggage allowance to anyone who's on the same flight as you and doesn't otherwise get free bags.
Jan 8, 2024, 11:20 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
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On the flip side to checked luggage... I wonder how much boarding time United could save by incentivizing people to not bring carry-on luggage. If they could save 10 minutes per flight then I imagine that'd translate into a significant amount of money from the increased schedule flexibility. Other (foreign) airlines can board large planes in significantly less time.
I rarely checked luggage as a 1K, and never had a desire to even think about money back. Despite the faults I might think, UA has been good to me over the decades. Close to million miler and this 1,00,000 on my improvement list.
Last edited by COSPILOT; Jan 8, 2024 at 11:29 pm
Jan 9, 2024, 7:03 am
#40
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Jan 9, 2024, 7:08 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,235
in terms of the OP wanting serious concrete answers - maybe, just supposition on my part, you are getting the answers you are due to the inane characteristics of your question. On a different airline I also get 3x70. I sometimes have two and other times three bags. But my TOTAL weight never exceeds 30-35 Kilo! (66- 77 lbs) Its just easier for me to handle! I would never dream to ask for anything back! My ticket and my status includes the POTENTIAL for 210 lbs (95 kilo). It is my choice not to use it!
Jan 9, 2024, 8:57 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 67
If congress/regulator required airlines to refund the unused free quota, the obvious result would be that airlines would no longer give a free luggage quota. Besides that, people have trouble getting refunds for cancelled flights, so more refunds is not going to make the system work better.
Jan 9, 2024, 9:27 am
#44
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Ok! I got it now. I am slow today and It took a while to digest.
A restaurant that offers me free unlimited water and bread or if I order a dish that comes with vegetables or any other side dishes, salad dressing or sauce etc,. When I decide not to eat/drink or decline the side dish, dressing, salt/pepper, etc, I should be entitled for a refund or find a party that will be willing to drink the free water, eat the free bread and willing to pay for the dressing/salt/pepper/sauce or even the napkins I dont use.
The suggestion by OP has wider implications than just the airlines. How about hotel stays? If I dont use the gym/pool, use the shampoo, soap, or the computer terminal to print the board passes, do I get a refund or can I ask someone to enjoy the benefits?
I buy a car that offers warranty and free oil change for three years, can I get a refund for not wanting them? The list goes on
A restaurant that offers me free unlimited water and bread or if I order a dish that comes with vegetables or any other side dishes, salad dressing or sauce etc,. When I decide not to eat/drink or decline the side dish, dressing, salt/pepper, etc, I should be entitled for a refund or find a party that will be willing to drink the free water, eat the free bread and willing to pay for the dressing/salt/pepper/sauce or even the napkins I dont use.
The suggestion by OP has wider implications than just the airlines. How about hotel stays? If I dont use the gym/pool, use the shampoo, soap, or the computer terminal to print the board passes, do I get a refund or can I ask someone to enjoy the benefits?
I buy a car that offers warranty and free oil change for three years, can I get a refund for not wanting them? The list goes on