Fri, Oct 31, 2008
Wow! You Can Now Pay Even MORE To Send Your Luggage!!!
Hoping to stake out a presence in the increasingly lucrative
overnight baggage shipping market -- while also reducing the number
of checked bags on its planes -- this week United Airlines became
the first US airline to offer luggage shipping via an overnight
courier.
United says its new "Door-to-Door Baggage" service enables
customers in the continental US to ship their suitcases, or other
travel items like skis or golf clubs, overnight from a home or
office directly to their destination within the 48 contiguous
United States. For the convenience, United will charge passengers
$149 one way for flights less than 1,000 miles, or $179 for longer
flights -- prices it maintains are "simple and more economical"
than similar overnight services.
The beleaguered airline hopes the added convenience of the
service will offset the steep pricetag.
"Door-to-Door Baggage is another new service from United's
Travel Options portfolio that puts more choices into the hands of
our customers and provides them with the flexibility to customize
their own travel experiences," said Dennis Cary, senior vice
president and Chief Marketing and Customer Officer. "While offering
customers a new benefit, it also provides United with a new revenue
stream that, when combined with our other ancillary revenue and fee
initiatives, is expected to generate more than one billion dollars
in 2009."
Of course, those passengers disinclined from contributing to any
new revenue streams for United -- or any airline, for that matter
-- may opt to ship their bags via any number of private luggage
shipping firms, as well, albeit for more money.
There's also this old standby: find a big box, and ship your bag
via UPS or FedEx 2-Day Ground... for a LOT less money. This option
also carries the added benefit of not having a single TSA or
airline worker lay their hands on your belongings.
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