United Airlines Launches New Baggage Delivery Service
The airline industry is constantly looking for ways to increase revenue. As gas prices go up they are forced to look at every avenue possible to bring in more cash. We have seen pretty much everything that used to be free now only be available at a cost. Meals, snacks, drinks, and baggage charges are common place on most carriers these days.
United is now offering a service that is new to the industry but that could save you some time once you arrive at your destination.
BagsVIP is their new offering to deliver your bags to your house or hotel so you don’t have to wait around at baggage claim. I could see this being incredibly valuable for all kinds of different travelers.
People with kids can help to alleviate their stress a little but walking off the plane and heading straight to their hotel. Business travelers who may be in a rush to get to a meeting can save crucial minutes. While many business travelers don’t usually check bags, this may allow them to do so and not have to be so frugal with their travel amenities.
This is one of the more reasonable options that I have seen an airline offer that really provides a nice service. I would not be surprised to see more of the airlines, if not all of them provide a similar service in the very near future.
The full press release can be found below.
OFFERS CUSTOMERS THE OPTION TO HAVE CHECKED BAGS DELIVERED TO THEIR FINAL DESTINATIONS
CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines today launched a new baggage delivery option, enabling customers to have their checked bags delivered directly to their final destinations – within 100 miles of their arrival airports – and skip baggage claim upon arrival. Baggage delivery by BagsVIP will initially be available to customers departing from any domestic airport and arriving in Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles and Orlando. The airline plans to expand the service to more than 190 domestic airports in the coming months.
“United’s new baggage delivery service offers an alternative for travelers who prefer the convenience of having their checked bags delivered directly to their homes, offices or hotels,” said Tom O’Toole, United’s senior vice president of marketing and loyalty. “Our customers have told us this type of option adds value to their travel experience.”
Standard rates for bag delivery within a 40-mile radius are as follows:
| 1 bag | $29.95 |
| 2 bags | $39.95 |
| 3-8 bags | $49.95 |
Delivery is available up to a 100-mile radius for an additional charge that varies by distance. Delivery pricing is in addition to any standard checked-bag charges that might otherwise apply.
Customers can order the service directly from BagsVIP online, or by calling 1-877-847-0045.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,557 flights a day to 378 airports on six continents from the airline’s hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United is upgrading its cabins with more flat-bed seats in first and business class and more extra-legroom economy-class seating than any other airline in North America. United now has 180 airplanes featuring DIRECTV®, offering customers more live television access than any other airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has orders for more than 270 new aircraft deliveries through 2022. In 2012, United was the first North American airline to take delivery of new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. United was rated the world’s most admired airline on FORTUNE magazine’s 2012 airline-industry list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United’s MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for eight consecutive years. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.
