United Airlines Triple Baggage Charges Phoenix, Arizona

Prior to my departure on a mission trip to Guatemala, I went to the web site and called baggage support to make sure I had the correct information. I was to pay $100 each for the 3rd. and 4th bag of donations. I did so in Phoenix for flight #UA6528.

I arrived in LAX to get the boarding pass for flight #UA5386 and was told I had to pay another $325 for the 2 bags. I showed my paid receipt, but agent Elisio A. insisted that I had to pay the additional $325. I explained the web site and baggage personnel said only one payment of $200. Elisio said rules had changed a couple of weeks ago, and I had to pay. As this was a "hold up" to rival those of the old west, I asked to speak to his supervisor.

Ms. Karina G. strutted over to say I had to pay another $325. I said there had been no notification of the new rule and I should be grandfathered in. She said I had to pay. I asked to speak to her supervisor.

Juan C. finally, after more upsetting discussion said they would make an exception this one time. My bags were allowed on a space available basis.I would have to hang around Guatemala City until they arrived, rather than head off to the village where I was to be working.

I made a courtesy call to United customer service to alert them of this scam. I felt they might not have known of the scam and they should / would want to know about it.

WRONG: I could not get anyone to be interested enough to listen. I asked to be transferred from their Indian call center to someone in the US. They said NO. If I wasn't going to discuss lost baggage, they did not want to talk to me, no matter how I phrased the problem.

So, I am taking this to future customers to have them beware that United is participating in a baggage fee scam. In my case a total of $525 for 100# extra luggage, which the charity can not afford. Don't get caught in this scam.