Emily White If you have been trying to keep your travel costs down lately then you honestly need to hear this because United Airlines just became the latest carrier to raise their checked baggage fees and the increase happened super fast with almost no warning for travelers who already had trips booked.
United Raises Fees
Starting Friday most United travelers are now paying ten dollars more to check their luggage than they were just days ago. The first bag now costs forty five dollars and the second one will run you fifty five dollars in most markets.
JetBlue Did It Too
United is honestly not alone here because JetBlue already raised their fees earlier in the same week by up to nine dollars during peak travel periods. Two major airlines hiking fees within days of each other is definitely not a coincidence.
Airlines Are Bleeding Money
United CEO Scott Kirby told investors last month that higher fuel costs had already added roughly four hundred million dollars to operating costs alone. Delta and American Airlines reported super similar numbers so this problem is honestly affecting the entire industry right now.
Who Still Gets a Free Bag
Not everyone is going to feel this the same way because co-branded credit card holders, loyalty members, active military and premium cabin travelers will still get their first bag for free. Definitely worth checking your card benefits before assuming you have to pay.
Late Checkers Pay More
If you check bags less than twenty four hours before departure you are going to get hit with an extra five dollar fee on top of the already higher prices which is honestly going to add up super fast for last minute travelers.
First Increase in Two Years
United was clear that this is the first time in two years they have raised bag fees which honestly makes it sting a little more for loyal customers who have been used to the same pricing for a while now.
More Hikes Are Coming
Analysts are honestly expecting US airlines to keep passing higher fuel costs onto travelers through increased fees since they do not use fuel surcharges the way international carriers typically do. This is probably not the last increase we see this year.
Go Carry-On Only
With checked bag fees climbing higher every few months the case for packing everything into a carry-on is honestly stronger than it has ever been. Traveling light is starting to look less like a preference and more like a genuinely smart financial decision for anyone flying regularly these days.
