Matt Mayer Posted March 25, 2012 Report Share Posted March 25, 2012 Just flew UA for the first time since the final merging of their computer system, changeover to the new Frequent Flyer program, etc the first week of March. Evidently they have completely re-done their Media Baggage rules. You can't just walk up to the counter with a Media ID or anything like that anymore, you need to notify them 48 hours before the flight. Here is an excerpt from an email sent out by CBS News: All – please note as a result of the merger of United and Continental over the weekend, their procedures have changed in order to qualify for the excess media bag rate. The former Continental media bag cards are now invalid We (CBS Travel) need to provide United 48 hours notice when we have a traveler checking excess # of bags The media bag rate is only available for US and Canada travel Please advise the CBS Travel agent that you will be checking excess bags and provide approximate # of bags Attached is additional information Yes, you and I know that 48 hours makes no sense during breaking news situations but it seems whoever came up with this procedure at United, doesn’t understand the customer’s needs. I am working with my counterparts at CNN, ABC and Fox to push United in amending the above, however, we need to wait for the dust to settle after their transition from this weekend. If possible, consider flying American, Delta or Alaska Airlines as they still offer the media bag rate for domestic and international flights (no codeshare flights) without advance notice. Even though Jetblue does not officially offer a media bag rate, if you send me copies of the receipts from paying their normal bag fees, I can get a credit for the difference to $50/bag. Please advise any crew members that I may have missedThanks and let me know if there are any questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted March 25, 2012 Report Share Posted March 25, 2012 Did CBS ever consider that United fully understands the issue and is looking to pick up a bunch of extra excess baggage dollars? Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Mayer Posted March 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2012 Did CBS ever consider that United fully understands the issue and is looking to pick up a bunch of extra excess baggage dollars? Eric I am sure that the Continental employees that are now in charge are aware they are taking a calculated risk in trying to generate extra revenue. It's just like a fare increase, they are trying it to see if other airlines will follow their lead. In my opinion, they are shooting themselves in the foot. It's all well and good that CBS or other companies/networks/organizations that have corporate travel departments can do all the coordination for this, but what about the other smaller documentary companies that I travel for? How do they deal with it other than avoiding UA? The risk they are running is that once Media companies become aware of the new rules, they will stay away from United in droves killing fare revenue not to mention the excess baggage. I am a United fan, but it will be really hard to justify using my preferred airline if it will cost the company double the amount for the baggage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted March 25, 2012 Report Share Posted March 25, 2012 Delta Media bag rate stays the same to the best of my knowledge and still the best deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmassey Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 If your travel plans allow SOUTHWEST is by far the best deal on excess!!! First two are free, and $25 after that. At least it was last month...who knows, the $$$ signs loom large and things could have changed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 48 hours notice? They gotta be kiddin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaul215 Posted April 7, 2014 Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 So fast forward two years later.... Is there an airline that still does media rates? I thought there was a thread saying only one still does. I usually just get an email from production with confirmation info. The asking I have done to airline employes, like at Delta yesterday, was met with blank stares. They did tell me they see Pelican cases pop open all the time because the latches get caught on the smaller conveyer belts. Fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Mayer Posted April 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 Johnpaul, United has since backed off their post-merger baggage rules. Haven't shown up with 20 bags recently, but I have been successful getting a 4th checked bag (I get three free) on the plane for only $50. I have friends who fly American extensively and they haven't said anything about having issues getting a media rate. USAir was $200 for anything past 4, so we will see where the AA/US merger takes us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Radlauer Posted April 7, 2014 Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 Just flew American...It was $800 for 17 bags..probably half of them were over 50lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted April 8, 2014 Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 I flew delta a few weeks ago and got the media rate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted April 8, 2014 Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 Same here, flying by from Canada. I flew delta a few weeks ago and got the media rate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blas Kisic Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 I just flew AA LAX-MIA and, with a letter from prod. com., the first leg was free (4 bags). But on the way back they dinged me $50 for the 4th bag. Looks like the lady at LAX just made a mistake in my favor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Lewis Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 How are you getting the media rate? As a freelance most of us do not have valid credentials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 How are you getting the media rate? As a freelance most of us do not have valid credentials. If you travel for NBC and CBS they will send you a ID card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blas Kisic Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 I had a letter from the network (Univisión, in this case) that stated my name, the name and duration of the project,vand the gear I was traveling with. Usually, a letter from any production company with a proper letterhead will do the trick. HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 I have an ID card from one of my clients (i only use it for their projects) How are you getting the media rate? As a freelance most of us do not have valid credentials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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