United Hikes Baggage Fees to $45, Highest Among Major Airlines

If you're planning a trip with United Airlines, be prepared to pay more to check your luggage. The carrier has increased its checked bag fees by $10 for flights within the U.S. and to popular destinations like Mexico, Canada, and Latin America. This change, which took effect on Friday, makes United's baggage fees the highest among the major U.S. airlines.

United’s New Baggage Fees

For travelers flying in economy, the price for a first checked bag is now $45 if you pay for it at least 24 hours before your flight departs. If you wait to pay at the airport, the cost will be even higher, as United continues to offer a $5 discount for prepaying. A second checked bag will now cost an additional $10 on top of the first bag's fee.

This price hike represents a significant jump from the previous industry standard and signals a new pricing tier for travelers.

An Industry-Wide Trend

United's decision doesn't come in a vacuum. It follows a similar move by JetBlue Airways, which recently raised its own checked bag fees by $4 to $9 per bag, depending on whether you're traveling during peak or off-peak times.

Major airlines are citing higher operational costs, particularly for jet fuel, as the reason for these increases. Ancillary fees, like charges for baggage and seat selection, have become a crucial source of revenue for carriers, especially as they prepare for the busy summer travel season.

How United Compares to Other Airlines

With this latest change, United is now an outlier among its main competitors. Here’s a quick look at how the fees for a first checked bag stack up for domestic flights:

• United Airlines: $45 (prepaid) / $50 (at airport)
• American Airlines: $35 (prepaid) / $40 (at airport)
• Delta Air Lines: $35
• Alaska Airlines: $35

For years, a $35 fee for the first checked bag had become the norm across the industry. Even Southwest Airlines, long known for its "bags fly free" policy, plans to implement a $35 bag fee starting in 2025.

What This Means for Your Travel Plans

For travelers, this trend means the total cost of a flight is becoming more than just the ticket price. United's higher fees may also intensify the competition for limited overhead bin space, as more passengers try to avoid checking a bag altogether. This can lead to more crowded boarding processes and add to the general stress of travel, already compounded by things like long TSA lines.

The most immediate and actionable takeaway for anyone flying United is to plan ahead. If you know you need to check a bag, make sure to pay for it online more than 24 hours before your flight. Taking this simple step will save you $5 and help you avoid the highest fee at the airport check-in counter.