Just want to let everyone know what happened to Sharon on her recent trip, so it doesn't happen to you.
She is traveling alone, so she crammed everything into one bag. Not to save the $25 charge for the 2nd bag, but because she was the one who had to struggle with 2 bags. Figuring 1 bag to manage was going to be easier. Well, her bag weighed 55 lb's, 50LB's is the cut off, the extra weight (5lbs over) bag would have cost her an additional $125 (each way).
I call Sharon, McGuiver, because she is always prepared, she opens her suitcase and pulls out a duffle-bag and uses it as a carry-on for the extra 5 lbs. of stuff.
Checking United site, if it's an oversize bag it's an additional $175 each way!
What a racket!