United to raise checked bag fees by $10 beginning April 3
The Points Guy • • business
Key Points:
- United Airlines announced it will increase checked bag fees by $10 starting with tickets purchased on April 3, raising the standard fee for the first bag to $50 and the second bag to $60 on most flights within the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Latin America.
- Passengers who prepay for their luggage at least 24 hours before departure will receive a $5 discount, making the fees $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second.
- This fee hike follows a similar increase by JetBlue earlier in the week, reflecting rising jet fuel costs and a broader trend of airlines adding surcharges amid global oil price increases.
- United continues to offer free checked bags to MileagePlus Premier elite members who hold eligible cobranded credit cards, maintaining loyalty program perks despite the fee changes.
- The baggage fee increase coincides with United implementing major changes to its loyalty program, including higher miles earnings for credit cardholders but reduced miles for other flyers.
