{"id":22802,"date":"2012-06-04T07:00:06","date_gmt":"2012-06-04T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=22802"},"modified":"2018-03-06T13:53:33","modified_gmt":"2018-03-06T19:53:33","slug":"baggagepack-light-the-latest-increases-for-baggage-fees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2012\/06\/baggagepack-light-the-latest-increases-for-baggage-fees\/","title":{"rendered":"Pack light: The latest increases for baggage fees"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pack wisely: Airlines continue to increase baggage fees. Photo: LatinFlyer.com<\/p><\/div>\n

By Mark Chesnut<\/em><\/p>\n

There has never been more reason to pack light. Airlines have gradually been raising the fees they charge for checked bags — in the case of Spirit Airlines, which is upping the charge for carry-ons starting Nov. 6. Passengers will have to pay $100 to register an overhead carry-on at the gate.<\/p>\n

Here is the latest information about what the biggest carriers are charging, moving forward (some of these new fees depend on when you purchased your ticket; check with your airline for details):<\/p>\n

American Airlines: <\/strong>Passengers flying within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico pay $25 for the first checked bag. For U.S. and Canada travel, the cost is $35 for the second and $150 for any additional pieces. Flights from the United States to Europe have a first-bag-free allowance.<\/p>\n

Delta Air Lines: <\/strong>Domestic U.S. travelers, as well as people flying between Canada and the United States and the Caribbean and Bermuda, will pay $25 for the first checked bag; travelers sticking within the United States and Canada will pay $35 for the second, while those heading to or from the Caribbean and Bermuda will fork over $40. The first bag is free on all other international flights.<\/p>\n

United Airlines:<\/strong> In May, United revised its baggage policies. The carrier now charges $25 for checked bags traveling to and from (and within) the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico the U.S. Virgin Islands and other parts of the Caribbean. Second bag fees start at $35 and run as much as $100 for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India.<\/p>\n

US Airways:<\/strong> Passengers flying within or between the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Bermuda and South America (except Brazil) will pay $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second. The first bag flies free on the company’s transatlantic, Brazil and transpacific flights (except Hawaii). If you bought your ticket before July 1, the airline charges $55 for the second bag to or from Europe; if you bought it after that date, the fee is $70.<\/p>\n

How to avoid fees: <\/strong>Flying in first or business class, holding elite frequent flyer status or using some airline-issued credit cards will allow you to avoid at least some baggage fees. Shop around.<\/p>\n

Related resources<\/strong><\/p>\n