For Your Next Plane Trip, Prepare to Empty Your Pockets
My family will be taking United for a trip this summer.
United joins American with $15 bag fee(AP) CHICAGO - United Airlines will follow rival American Airlines in charging $15 for a first checked bag.
The new fee was announced Thursday, three weeks after American set the precedent.
United says the fee affects customers who buy tickets beginning Friday for domestic flights from Aug. 18 or later.
Also, the Chicago-based carrier is increasing the fee to check three or more bags, overweight bags or items that require special handling to $125 from $100, or to $250 from $200, depending on the item.
The fees reflect a struggling airline industry passing the costs of high fuel prices to passengers.
Airline expert Tom Parsons says, as of July 1, Southwest Airlines will be the only U.S. carrier that permits two checked bags for free.