Bag Fees By Wendy VanHatten

Did you fly over the Christmas or New Year’s holidays? Did you pay baggage fees? If you’re planning on a trip this spring and want to know what it will cost to check your bags, take a look.
These are the most current charges I could find. I checked with several travel websites as well as the airlines. Charges may change so it would be a good idea to check with your airline before you get to the check-in counter.
International flights will vary by region, so check with your airline on those as well.
You may have some charges waived if you belong to that airline loyalty club. Check to see before paying the fee.
Alaska Airlines
Fees: Carry-on is free; first checked bag $25 and second is an additional $25. Overweight bags are $75.
American Airlines
Fees: Carry-on is free; first checked bag $25 and second is an extra $35. Overweight bags are $100 to $200, depending on weight and flight.
Delta Airlines
Fees: Carry-on is free; first checked bag $25 and second is an extra $35. Overweight bags are $100 to $200.
Frontier Airlines
Fees: Carry-on is $25 to $50; first bag is $25 and second is an extra $30. Overweight bags are $75.
JetBlue Airways
Fees: None for carry-on or first bag right now. Second checked bag is $50. Overweight bags are $100.
Starting in 2015, JetBlue will no longer include a free checked bag. All bags will have a fee. You might want to check right now to be certain you won’t get charged the fee. I’ve heard it both ways.
Southwest Airlines
Fees: None for carry-on, first or second checked bag. Overweight bags are $75.
Spirit Airlines
Fees: Carry-on is $35 to $100; first bag is $30 to $100 and second bag is $40 to $100. Overweight bags are $25 to $100. A $2 surcharge will be tacked on to existing baggage fees from December 18 through January 5.
United Airlines
Fees: Carry-on is free; first checked bag $25 and second is an additional $35. Overweight bags are $100 to $200, depending on weight and flight.
US Airways
Fees: Carry-on is free; first checked bag $25 and second is an extra $35. Overweight bags are $100 to $200.
Virgin America
Fees: Carry-on is free; first checked bag is $25 and second bag is an extra $25. Overweight bags are $50 to $100. From experience, if your bag is gate checked there is no charge. However, that bag must fit the carry on requirements.
These may have changed in the past week or so. Be sure to check first and avoid any unnecessary surprise charges.
Wendy VanHatten
707-685-9478
712-898-7750
wvanhatten@gmail.com
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