Overview
- United, which put the change into effect Friday for tickets bought April 3, added $10 to the first and second checked bags on routes in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Latin America after JetBlue raised its fees earlier in the week.
- Most travelers now pay $45 to prepay a first bag and $55 for a second, or $50 and $60 if paid within 24 hours of departure, and a third bag now costs $200.
- United says many customers still get a free checked bag, including MileagePlus Premier members, United Chase cardholders, active-duty military and premium-cabin flyers, and most markets offer a $5 discount for paying online in advance.
- Jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since late February, with Argus Media data showing an average of about $4.88 per gallon in major U.S. hubs versus about $2.50 before the Middle East conflict, and United has warned the spike has already added hundreds of millions of dollars to costs.
- Airlines favor bag fees because they avoid the 7.5% federal tax on ticket fares and can encourage sign-ups for co-branded credit cards that include free bags, and industry watchers expect rivals may follow United’s move.