The Luggage Blog

Jet Blue and United Airlines are taking it to the tweet. They recently began offering first dibs on discounted fares to those who follow them on Twitter (A free social networking and micro-blogging site that allows its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Duh).

JetBlue posted its first “Cheep” (United’s Twitter only fares, known as “Twares”) on July 6, a $9 one-way trip from JFK to Nantucket. Sales are generally posted on Mondays and the carrier gives its followers about 8 hours- or as long as there are available seats- to book the trip for that or the following weekend.

Twitterers have to act fast to take advantage of the unbeatable deals…but considering they are answering the question ‘what are you doing?’ in 140 characters or less- this shouldn’t be a problem.

Tweet-a-holic? Follow Luggage Online on Twitter!

source

If you’ve heard the buzz about United Airlines policy that addresses passengers requiring extra space (PRES), you may be wondering what it actually means for larger passengers flying United. Harriet Baskas, travel writer, msnbc contributor and editor of Stuck at the Airport blog, lays it all out for us in her latest article.

Check it out here.

Well it looks like United Airlines realized that they need to stay competitive in this rapidly changing market!  Early this month, United Airlines decided not to DOUBLE the 2nd checked bag fee.  Though United is still charging a fee for the second checked bag, it’s only $25 compared to the $50 it was as of September 2008.  This will save customers $50 round trip…now that sounds like a lot more money saved!!!  Another way that they are staying competitive is by offering perks such as giving a 20% discount on the 1st checked back if customers purchase their ticket at www.united.com, now thru Jan. 31st, 2009.  If you ask me, every little savings count!!

Picture by Consumerist

When you pick up your baggage from the airlines, you are usually tired and grateful to be at your destination. Most people don’t look over their bags to make sure they’re OK. Then, when they go to unpack they find something missing or torn. Unfortunately the airlines loathe taking responsibility for what they do to your bags, even though we have all watched the handlers toss our bags around and wonder why they don’t all spill open on the tarmac.

The most important thing about putting in a claim for a damaged bag is to know the game before you need to know it. The airlines will spout policy to you, if you accept that you will get nowhere. Remember, you do have the right to say, “No, that is not acceptable.”

Know what to expect:

• All airlines expect that you file a claim while you are still at the airport (no matter what time of day or night it is).
• There is not always someone available to take your claim at the airport.
• Most airlines allow up to 24 hours to file a claim, but you often are required to come into the airport.
• International travelers usually have 7 days to file a claim.
• Know your airline’s policy! US Airways, for example only allows 4 hours to file a claim.

The “customer service” agent is not always helpful in these matters. With the financial state of the airlines these days their policies have gotten stricter. Therefore it can be [Read more →]

Check out some of United Airlines Great Vacation Deals that they have going on right now:

Save Up To $300 Off Your Vacation - United Vacations

Book Your 2009 Vacation and Save!

Another airline does it again… Starting tomorrow, if you purchase tickets on United Airlines, your 2nd checked bag fee will be doubled!!!!  If your traveling between the U.S. and Canada, after November 10th, the fee for a 2nd checked bag has increased from $25 to $50.

$50 … WOW it seems unbelievable!  If you ask me, I would rather not travel with United Airlines if I was planning on checking 2 bags.  I would recommend checking just 1 bag or better yet, trying to just carry-on your luggage.  Check out our extensive list of airline fees and make sure you always check with your airline for the most up to date information.

Picture by Consumerist