United Airlines raising checked-bag fees, joining JetBlue

United Airlines on Friday increased its checked-baggage fees by $5, following a similar move in January by JetBlue Airways.

The first checked bag is now $35 each way, the second, $45. Travelers can avoid the increase by prepaying for bags in advance. The checked-bag prices remain $30 and $40 if the fee is paid at any time before online check-in.

The increase takes effect for travel beginning March 6. Travelers who bought their tickets before Friday, Feb. 21 will be exempt and continue to pay $30 and $40.

United spokeswoman Maddie King said the increase covers flight in the United States and on short-haul flights to the Caribbean and Latin America.

Other major airlines are likely to follow suit. United, Delta and American all matched JetBlue’s previous bag fee increase, in 2018.

No-frills airlines including Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant already charge varying prices for checked (and carry-on) bags depending when you purchase them and, in many cases, where and when you are flying.

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