United follows Delta lead in increasing second bag fee

United Airlines confirmed on Monday that it would be increasing its one-way fee for passengers checking a second bag from $25 to $50. The increased fee will be effective on bookings made from this Tuesday, for travel scheduled from November 10.

Delta Air Lines was the first of the legacy carriers to double the charge for a second bag, doing so in the latter part of July, and United is the first airline to follow Delta’s lead. Delta chose to raise the fee charged for a second bag rather than imposing a charge for the first checked bag. United, however, already charges economy-class passengers $15 to check a first bag.

The new policy at United applies to passengers travelling in economy class on flights within the U.S., and also to and from Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are no fees imposed on passengers travelling in first class or business class, or for United or Star Alliance “Premier” class flyers.

Last Friday, Frontier Airlines announced that it would begin charging $15 for the first pieced of checked luggage beginning on November 1, except for “Elite” level frequent flyers. Frontier already is charging passengers $25 for a second checked bag.

www.united.com