Baggage Fees Are Increasing

 

Delta Air Lines launched another round of increased baggage fees, the Association of Retail Travel Agents reports, a move quickly matched by Continental Airlines. Delta passengers who booked January 5 or later will pay the increased fees.  If checking in online the new fees will be $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second bag. If paying at the airport the fees will be $25 for the first and $35 for the second bag, ARTA reports

Delta said continued economic pressures have made it necessary to raise fees. ARTA commented that the more the airlines raise the baggage fees the more passengers move to Southwest Airlines, which has no baggage fees. Speculation that American, United and US Airways will match the Delta/Continental increases is widespread.

USA Today also notes Continental, Delta, American and United also have boosted their fuel surcharges on flights to Europe by $20. While fuel surcharges vary by route,  the airlines typically impose fuel charges of about $242 on flights to London and $280 on routes to many popular destinations on the continent, USA Today says,

Delta began charging $8 more for the first checked bag and $7 more for a second for tickets sold starting January 5, USA Today says. Continental and Delta now charge $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second if the bags are checked at the airport. The fee is slightly lower for bags checked in online.

USA Today also reports that a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds the fees are unpopular. Seventy-six percent of Americans who' have flown at least twice in the last year say they're dissatisfied with bag and rebooking fees. Just 24 percent say they're OK with the extra charges.

Delta’s policy: “When traveling within the United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico, customers are charged 23 USD/CAD for the first checked bag and 32 USD/CAD for the second checked bag (each way, for round trip). There is a 2 USD/CAD surcharge on the first checked bag, 3 USD/CAD on the second, when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. There is no surcharge for bags prepaid during online check-in at delta.com. Canada is now considered part of the U.S. area for baggage purposes and will be subject to the same fees.”

Visit www.Delta.com or www.continental.com.