United Airlines is following in American Airlines’ footsteps, and is increasing checked bag fees. That’s hardly surprising at this point.
United Airlines raises checked bag fees by $5
For tickets booked as of February 24, 2024, United Airlines has raised its checked bag fees. While United doesn’t publish a baggage fee chart, the airline has a bag fee calculator, which should shortly reflect the new pricing. With this change, United Airlines now charges the following on domestic itineraries:
- $35 for a first checked bag if paid in advance, or $40 if paid at the airport
- $45 for a second checked bag if paid in advance, or $50 if paid at the airport
This represents a $5 increase across the board, as previously you paid $30-35 for a first checked bag, or $40-45 for a second checked bag. We’re seeing similar $5 increases to many other checked bag fees for short haul international flights.
As before, many passengers are entitled to free checked bags. In addition to first class passengers:
- Those with select co-branded United Airlines credit cards receive a free first checked bag for domestic itineraries
- Those with MileagePlus Premier 1K and Premier Platinum status receive three free checked bags
- Those with MileagePlus Gold Platinum status (as well as Star Alliance Gold equivalents) receive two free checked bags
- Those with MileagePlus Premier status receive one free checked bag
This change isn’t surprising or unreasonable
I’m not surprised to see that United is matching American here (and for that matter, Alaska and JetBlue also raised checked bag fees earlier this month). Ultimately we’re seeing a $5 increase, and this is the first time checked bag fees have been raised at the airline in around four years. For better or worse, that roughly tracks with inflation.
Bottom line
United Airlines has just increased checked bag fees. We’re seeing United raise the cost per checked bag by $5, so domestically you’ll now pay $35-40 for a first checked bag, or $45-50 for a second checked bag.
I’m not surprised to see airlines trying to find new revenue sources, given how much their expenses have increased in the past couple of years. I imagine it’s only a matter of time until Delta matches as well.
What do you make of United increasing checked bag fees?
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.