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United Airlines will raise checked bag fees beginning starting Friday, the airline announced.
Beginning with tickets purchased on April 3, passengers will pay an extra $10 when checking a bag on most flights.
Going forward, United’s standard baggage fees for flights within the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Latin America will now total $50.
Passengers will continue to enjoy a $5 discount if they prepay for their luggage at least 24 hours before departure, in which case they cost would be $45.
The Chicago-based airline also hiked the fee for its second bag by $10. A second checked bag will now cost $60, or $55 for customers who prepay.
Could more airlines follow?
United is the second U.S. carrier to raise checked bag fees this week. Airlines are facing rising jet fuel costs amid a global run-up in oil prices, which have also triggered higher fares and led a myriad of international airlines to tack fuel surcharges onto tickets.
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JetBlue was first to raise checked bag fees earlier this week.
But with one of the three largest U.S. legacy airlines now raising baggage fees, it’s very possible other carriers could follow suit. Historically, airlines have often followed one another in hiking checked bag fees.
United and most competitors last raised bag fees in early 2024.
Free bags on United
There are still ways to score a free bag on United.
The carrier offers free bags to MileagePlus members who earn Premier elite status and carry an eligible cobranded credit card. Those perks remain in place.
United’s move to hike bag fees came on the same day the airline put sweeping changes to its loyalty program in place, which will see credit cardholders earn more miles than before — but will cause all other flyers to earn fewer miles on flights.
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
