United Airlines Offers Advice to Customers Affected by Forecasted Chicago Snowstorm and Issues Travel Waiver

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As a result of forecasted snowstorms in Chicago, United is encouraging customers to take advantage of its travel waiver and to consider their travel plans, as certain change fees have been waived for them. United advises customers to log on to united.com to make changes to their itineraries or to call United reservations at 1-800-UNITED-1 or their travel agency. All changes must be made by midnight of the customer's original travel date. Rescheduled travel may be subject to higher fares if it does not meet original rule and booking-code restrictions or is a new itinerary.

The revised ticketing policies apply to all tickets purchased Dec. 15, 2008 or earlier, for travel between Dec. 15-17, to, from and through Chicago on any United(R), United Express(R) or United code-share flight. Origin and destination cities must remain the same.

Customers with canceled flights are eligible to apply for a full refund.

Flights may be delayed or canceled in Chicago as a result of the forecasted snow. Customers can minimize possible inconvenience by checking the status of their flights before going to the airport, at united.com or calling 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) for automated, up-to-the-minute flight arrival and departure information before leaving for the airport. To receive United's automatic updates via mobile phone or e-mail, customers may register for United EasyUpdate complimentary service at united.com.

United will continue to monitor the situation and adjust ticketing policies on united.com.

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United Airlines Discounts Fees to Check First Bag Online and Rescinds Planned Increase to Second Bag Fee

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United is offering customers a 20 percent discount on the fee to check a first bag when they pay for it on united.com between Nov. 10, 2008 and Jan. 31, 2009. United also has canceled its previously-announced plans to increase the domestic second bag fee from $25 to $50 one way. The fee to check a second bag on a domestic flight will remain $25 one way.

Starting on Nov. 10, 2008, customers may do all of the following on united.com from the comfort of their home, office or hotel without waiting in line at the airport:

-- pay fees for checked baggage, which enables them to use special united.com bag drop areas at select airports;

-- purchase seating in Economy Plus, which starts at $14 one way, to enjoy up to five extra inches of legroom; and

-- purchase Award Accelerator, which starts at $9, to earn travel awards faster by multiplying the number of Mileage Plus miles earned on United flights.

"Now our customers may enjoy more convenience and better value when they check-in at united.com before their trip," says Dennis Cary, chief marketing and customer officer. "We are listening to our customers, and these changes are designed to give them more choice and flexibility to customize their travel experience while keeping our prices competitive in a rapidly changing market environment."

United also recently launched its new Door-to-Door Baggage service that enables customers to conveniently ship their suitcases, or other travel items like skis or golf clubs, overnight directly to their destination within the 48 contiguous United States. United's prices are simple and more economical than similar overnight services offered by other luggage shipping services. More information about Door-to-Door Baggage, Economy Plus seating, Award Accelerator and all the Travel Options by United is available at united.com/traveloptions.

The fees to check a first or second bag do not apply to customers who are flying in United First(R) or United Business(R), have Premier or above status with United or Star Alliance, or active duty military personnel traveling on orders.

The $15 first bag and $25 second bag fees apply to customers who purchase a ticket for travel within the U.S. and to/from Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Customers may continue to carry on one bag and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer that fits under the seat or in an overhead bin. For itineraries that include international flights (except Canada), checking a first and second bag that weighs less than 50 pounds continues to be free.

Details on United's checked bag policy are available at united.com/baggage.

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United Airlines' New Door-to-Door Baggage Service Takes the 'Lug' Out of Luggage

T2F Note: What an interesting concept. The question is whether travelers will pay $149 one way for their favorite clothes to show up. For golf clubs and extremely large items, the convenience factor could make sense. Time will tell.

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines today becomes the first U.S. airline to offer overnight baggage shipping service via an overnight courier that will provide customers with a more convenient and easy way to travel -- without their luggage.

United's new service, Door-to-Door Baggage, enables customers in the continental U.S. to conveniently 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. At $149 one way for flights less than 1,000 miles, or $179 for longer flights, United's prices are simple and more economical than similar overnight services offered by other luggage shipping services. Door-to-Door Baggage may be purchased on united.com and shipments can be easily tracked online.

"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."

United's Door-to-Door Baggage service is easy. Up to 10 days prior to travel, customers may visit united.com/doortodoor where they select their appropriate trip and then schedule and pay for their shipment. Next, customers print their shipping documents that will be attached to the bags by the courier service. On the scheduled pickup day, the bags are picked up at a home or office -- generally between noon and 6 p.m. -- or dropped off at any of the courier's authorized shipping centers. By 4:30 p.m. the next day, the bags are delivered to the customer's final destination.

In addition to the new Door-to-Door Baggage service, customers may further enhance their travel experiences with other services from United's Travel Options portfolio. For example, starting at $14 one way, customers may sit in United's Economy Plus seating section that has up to five more inches of legroom (for elite customers, access to Economy Plus is complimentary). Also, with United's Award Accelerator offering, starting at $9, customers may earn travel awards faster by multiplying the amount of miles they receive when they fly.

More information about United's new Door-to-Door Baggage service and other Travel Options by United(SM) offerings is available at united.com/traveloptions.

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