Military & Baggage

[thefigueroas]

Good Morning. My husband has booked us a surprise trip to Disney World prior to transferring overseas and I had a question. Our airfare is booked on United. As military we are graciously allowed a baggage exemption in that we are not required to pay the baggage fees. Upon departing Disney World we were interested in using the Resort Airline Checkin desk and was wondering if baggage exemptions are accepted at the checkin desk or do we need to self-carry our luggage and checkin at the airport? Has anyone done this before? I doubt it matters but we are staying at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Good Morning. My husband has booked us a surprise trip to Disney World prior to transferring overseas and I had a question. Our airfare is booked on United. As military we are graciously allowed a baggage exemption in that we are not required to pay the baggage fees.

Actually, this isn't quite accurate. Military members and their dependents get a free checked baggage allowance on United when the service member is traveling on official orders, not for vacation travel. I do not know if United will ask to check your husband's orders, but they are supposed to.

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52649,00.html

• Active U.S. military personnel and/or their dependents, traveling on official business (Military ID and orders must be presented when checking bags.)

 

[thefigueroas]

While I appreciate you posting this is not correct. If you will direct yourself to your link and look under the first category box right below "Star Category Gold" you will see:

• Active U.S. military personnel and their accompanying dependents, not traveling on official business (Military ID required.)

This allows us an allottment of three free bags up to 70 lbs. If we are on military orders it is in a category box by itself and states:

Active U.S. military personnel and/or their dependents, traveling on official business (Military ID and orders must be presented when checking bags.)

This then allows an allotment of 4 bags for Economy or 5 bags for First/Business up to 70 lbs.

I thank you for your post and am sure you were only trying to make sure we weren't surprised. Has anyone used Resort Airline Checkin and been in the situation that I stated above?

 

[KerryCM]

My daughter and SIL flew United in November and did the RAC. They did not have to pay the luggage fee. The person working will ask for your military ID. You are correct about the fee when not traveling on orders. United actually gave my daughter free luggage when she recently came home for my husband's surgery. She flew out of Colorado Springs where many military families live. They asked if she was military and she had her dependent ID, so they checked her luggage free.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You're right - even though I would be eligible to use the military exemption, I haven't paid close attention to it as I don't have to pay to check luggage on United anyway (FF status).

 

[thefigueroas]

My daughter and SIL flew United in November and did the RAC. They did not have to pay the luggage fee. The person working will ask for your military ID. You are correct about the fee when not traveling on orders. United actually gave my daughter free luggage when she recently came home for my husband's surgery. She flew out of Colorado Springs where many military families live. They asked if she was military and she had her dependent ID, so they checked her luggage free.

Thank you KerryCM and from the looks of your ticker you have less than a week until your trip. Good luck and many magical wishes to you!

 

[robin19871]

Prior to last year we had free luggage on United.. Last year however, We were asked to provide orders for luggage to be free and because this was a personal trip we had to pay for our bag. (We did so at the airport.) However, On our way back from MCO I had just paid for the baggage and the nice lady at the counter saw my husbands ID and said that she would have not of charged us. So it really depends on who you get. However, On their website it does say that you must be on orders for free baggage..

 

[thefigueroas]

Actually Robin19871 they should not have charged you. If you refer to my post above there are two places in their baggage fee exemptions for military. The first pertains to leisure travel and is in the top box, the second refers to official travel and is in a box by itself. I am sure you are like me and don't want to push for something that is done as a kindness, such as luggage exemption, but that is probably why the second woman wasn't going to charge you.

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52649,00.html

 

[robin19871]

Actually Robin19871 they should not have charged you. If you refer to my post above there are two places in their baggage fee exemptions for military. The first pertains to leisure travel and is in the top box, the second refers to official travel and is in a box by itself. I am sure you are like me and don't want to push for something that is done as a kindness, such as luggage exemption, but that is probably why the second woman wasn't going to charge you.

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52649,00.html

YAY... I see where you are talking about.. Last year that exemption was not there for personal travel though so they must have reinstated it.. I will definetly copy this page and take it with me to our little airport here.. (It is always the same lady working..) THANKS SO MUCH... I was going to Pre pay for my luggage to keep the prices down. Now I have an extra $50.00..

 

[thefigueroas]

Always glad to help! Have a great trip!!!