Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Airlines to Charge $25 for Second Bag

Yes, it's official. Shortly after a handful of airlines announced they would charge $25 for a second checked bag, most major airlines now will do the same.

I am a freak about traveling with carry on only, to the point where it drives M nuts, but now it will save me money. My fear is that now everyone will sneak on a decidedly not within 45 linear inch bag, overstuffing the overhead bins.

The new fee of $25 for a second bag is being levied by Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways. The low-fare carrier AirTran has announced that it will charge $10 for a second checked bag. Airlines have long levied fees for checking a third bag. Some carriers have recently increased those as well, and the fees on the major carriers now run as high as $100.

4 comments:

Ellen said...

I don't think there's any more room in the overhead bins because people already try to carry on the kitchen sink. I'm occasionally guilty of this (taking my violin home and back to school during college -- don't want to check that!) but when I see people carrying on 2 items plus 3 or 4 shopping bags, it just makes me mad.

PiggyBankBlues said...

i'm right there with you! i'm just amazed at the parade of bags at the gate-- but of course a violin would be an exception :)

Esme said...

I think they should be more strict about enforcing the carry on rules. On my overseas flights, it is ridiculous how people try to abuse the carry-on rule.

It causes delays, angry travelers, and very unhappy flight attendants. Sometimes it's a real circus.

PiggyBankBlues said...

i definitely agree. i think that if they're now charging $25 for a second bag, in addition to even more $ for a third checked bag, that they now have incentive to reign in the carry-on crazies. at least that's my hope...