United Airlines' 'Premier Baggage' takes fees to a new altitude

On Monday, United Airlines (UAUA) unveiled the latest move in the airlines' game of let's-find-another-fee. The carrier's new program, Premier Baggage, is a year-long subscription costing $249 that enables customers to carry on up to two bags per passenger per flight without any additional fees.

Given that United usually charges $50 for two bags on each leg of a flight, a customer could recoup the price of the program in three round-trip flights. Furthermore, program enrollees can extend their benefits to up to eight passengers if they all purchase their tickets on the same account, which means that a good-sized family can come out ahead with a single flight.