United Airlines just made checking a suitcase more expensive, quietly tacking extra charges onto baggage fees for many routes across the Americas. The airline has bumped first- and second-checked-bag prices by $10 and hit third bags with a far steeper hike, affecting tickets purchased on or after April 3 for travel within the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Latin America. Some travelers, including MileagePlus elites, United Chase cardholders, active-duty military and premium-cabin passengers, will still get at least one checked bag free. The move lands only days after JetBlue and other carriers adjusted baggage pricing in the face of rising jet fuel costs.
What Changed and When
For tickets bought on or after April 3, United raised fees on the first and second checked bags by $10, bringing prepaid prices to $45 and $55 and boosting the cost at the airport or within 24 hours of departure to $50 and $60. The fee for a third checked bag jumped to $200, according to Business Travel News. United is still offering a $5 discount on the first two bags for most customers who prepay online at least 24 hours before their flight. The carrier is describing the move as an adjustment to optional fees rather than an increase in base fares.
Why Airlines Say They Are Doing This
Airlines are pointing to sharply higher jet fuel costs that followed a late February escalation in the Middle East, which disrupted supply lines and added tens of millions of dollars to operating costs. Reporting shows spot jet fuel prices in early April averaging well above pre-crisis levels. United executives have warned that if oil stays expensive, it could add billions of dollars to the company’s yearly expenses, and the baggage fee hikes are part of broader efforts to protect profit margins under that pressure, as reported by Fox Business. United’s shift also comes on the heels of JetBlue’s own baggage price increase on March 31, according to AP.
Who Still Gets a Break
United says the higher baggage fees will not apply to tickets purchased before April 3, and it is keeping existing bag perks in place. United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military travelers and passengers booked in premium cabins will continue to get at least one checked bag free, according to CBS News. The airline also noted that this is its first checked-bag fee increase in two years.
Tips for Travelers
If you already bought your ticket before April 3, double check your reservation, since the old baggage prices should still apply. For upcoming trips, consider prepaying for bags online at least a day before departure to lock in the typical $5 discount on the first two bags in most markets. Regular United flyers and cardholders who are supposed to get a free checked bag should confirm their status is correctly attached to the reservation. And when you are comparison shopping, factor in potential baggage charges, not just the base fare. For now, traveling with only a carry-on remains the most straightforward way to dodge the higher fees, and with fuel costs swinging around, bag charges are likely to stick around as a key money-maker for the airlines.
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