United Airlines Mileage Plus members can now buy an annual pass to cover checked baggage fees for the member and up to eight companions for an introductory price of $249. The annual pass applies to United and United Express flights on travel within the U.S. or on international flights. The Premier Baggage subscription does not include fees assessed for oversized or overweight bags or for checking more than two bags. The pass is linked to your Mileage Plus account so when you enter your frequent flyer number when making reservations, checked baggage fees will automatically be waived for you and your companions for one year.

Bottom line: The cost to check one bag roundtrip is $30 when paying online and $50 for a second bag. Pay at the airport and you’ll need to pay $40 for a first bag and $60 for a second bag roundtrip. On international flights, the first bag is free and a second bag may cost between $54 and $90 depending on your destination and whether you pay online or at the airport.

If you generally travel alone and check one bag, the pass is only worth the $249 price if you travel more than eight roundtrip flights on United. And if you complete nine or more flights per year on United, you might already have elite status that includes two free checked bags. However, if you aren’t elite and regularly travel with a partner or your family, the pass will probably pay for itself after three or four trips with checked bags. Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?1878 for details.