United Increases Baggage Fees to $30-$50

Image: United 737 Max9 Winglet. (photo courtesy of United Airlines)
Image: United 737 Max9 Winglet. (photo courtesy of United Airlines)
Theresa Norton
by Theresa Norton
Last updated: 2:26 PM ET, Fri August 31, 2018

United Airlines is increasing checked baggage fees on North American, Caribbean and Central American flights by at least $5 for tickets issued on or after Aug. 31.

The fee to check the first bag is rising from $25 to $30 within the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean and five countries in Central America. The second bag checked will cost $40, up from $35.

The five Central American nations are Costa Rica, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Between Mexico and those same destinations, the fee for the first bag is $30, up from $25.

Between Canada and those destinations, the fee is rising to $30 USD/CAD for the first bag and $50 USD/CAD for the second bag, up from $35.

The fees are waived for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible companions, as well as those who hold eligible MileagePlus credit cards.

United announced the fee increases in an email to travel agents and corporate planners.

"As we continue to make investments that make travel on United better, we are making adjustments to our checked bag fees in select markets - most of which have not been changed in eight years," the airline said in an email. "These changes allow us to continue investing in the overall customer experience in today's marketplace."

United said the baggage calculator on its website has been updated to reflect the new fees.

The announcement was made as several airlines are instituting a variety of increased fees. JetBlue earlier raised checked baggage fees to $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second, and $150 for any more bags.


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