United Airlines Raises Checked Bag Fees

Well, that didn’t take very long.

Within days of American Airlines raising its baggage fees, United Airlines announced it would do the same and jack up prices for checked bags by $5.

Starting Saturday, United economy passengers who fly domestically will pay $40 for a first checked bag, or $35 if they prepay online at least 24 hours before a flight.

In the copycat airline business, United has become the fourth carrier this year to raise the price of checked bags. It joins American, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines.

Charging for checked baggage raised $5 billion in the first nine months of 2023 for airlines. Certain credit card holders, frequent flyers with elite status, active military and travelers in top-tier classes can still check a bag for free, said United, which hadn’t raised its price on baggage fees since 2020.

American Airlines raised its fee to check a first bag on domestic flights to $35 if purchased in advance and $40 at the airport. A second checked bag will go up from $40 to $45. It remains to be seen whether Delta Air Lines or other carriers will follow suit and also raise the price of bags.

Southwest Airlines remains the only carrier not to charge a baggage fee.

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