United Airlines is raising bag fees by $10 beginning Friday
United Airlines will raise checked bag fees starting Friday, the airline announced.
Beginning with tickets purchased on April 3, passengers will pay an extra $10 when checking a bag on most flights.
Going forward, United's standard baggage fee for flights within the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Latin America will be $50.
Passengers will continue to enjoy a $5 discount if they prepay for their luggage at least 24 hours before departure, in which case the bag cost would be $45.
The Chicago-based airline also hiked the fee for a second checked bag by $10; those will now cost $60 (or $55 for customers who prepay).
Could more airlines follow?
United is the second U.S. carrier to raise checked bag fees this week. JetBlue was the first to raise checked bag fees earlier this week.
Airlines are facing rising jet fuel costs amid a global run-up in oil prices, which have also triggered higher fares and led myriad international airlines to tack fuel surcharges onto tickets.
But with one of the three largest U.S. legacy airlines now raising baggage fees, it's very possible other carriers could follow suit. Historically, airlines have often copied each other in similar situations.
United and most competitors last raised bag fees in early 2024.
Free bags on United
There are still ways to score a free bag on United.
The carrier offers free bags to MileagePlus members who earn Premier elite status and carry an eligible cobranded credit card. Those perks remain in place.
United's move to hike bag fees came on the same day the airline implemented sweeping changes to its loyalty program, which will see credit card holders earning more miles than before, but will cause all other flyers to earn fewer miles on flights.
Related reading: