United Airlines<\/p>\n
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images<\/p>\n
United Airlines<\/a> hiked its checked bag fee by $10 on Thursday, becoming the second U.S. carrier in less than a week to raise the fee as the industry grapples<\/a> with this year’s surge<\/a> in fuel costs, airlines’ biggest expense after labor.<\/p>\n United’s new fee will be $45 to check a first bag on most domestic itineraries if the traveler pays ahead of time and $50 if they pay within 24 hours of their flight.<\/p>\n “United is raising first and second checked bag fees by $10 for customers traveling in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and Latin America beginning with tickets purchased Friday, April 3,” the carrier said. <\/p>\n United last raised checked bag fees in 2024 and, like other carriers, is trying to cover the recent surge in jet fuel costs. <\/p>\n Fuel prices for Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New York averaged $4.56 a gallon on Wednesday, up more than 82% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb.28, according to data from Argus published by industry group Airlines for America. <\/p>\n JetBlue Airways<\/a> on Monday hiked its checked bag fees at least $4 per bag \u2014 and up to $9 per bag, depending on when a customer’s travel is booked \u2014 CNBC first reported<\/a>. <\/p>\n Competitors often follow suit with such fee increases. There are loopholes, however. Airline credit cards often give customers a free checked bag when they’re on domestic itineraries in coach and it usually comes as a perk with elite frequent flyer status. Also, first-class seats generally include a free checked bag.<\/p>\n “United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military members and customers traveling in premium cabins can still check a bag for free, and customers in most markets will still enjoy a $5 discount if they prepay for their bags online 24 hours before their flight,” United said.<\/p>\n Higher fuel is showing up at gas stations and other sectors, too. Amazon<\/a> is adding<\/a> a 3.5% “fuel and logistics-related surcharge” to fees it collects from third-party sellers who use its fulfillment services, CNBC reported earlier Thursday.<\/p>\n \u2014 CNBC’s Annie Palmer<\/a> contributed to this article.<\/p>\n