By Julie Johnsson | Tribune reporter 1:38 PM CDT, May 14, 2009
Infrequent fliers who travel this summer may soon have to pay more to check their bags at the airport.
United Airlines and US Airways are nudging up baggage fees, and analysts expect other carriers to follow.
As of June 10, United Airlines plans to hike its luggage fees by $5 per bag for customers who pay for the service at the airport, charging $20 for the first bag checked and $30 for the second.
Customers of Chicago-based United who pay the fees online will be charged the old rate: $15 for their first bag, $25 for the second.
Phoenix-based US Airways, a code-share partner of United’s and a fellow member in the Star Alliance, plans to roll out the higher fees July 9.
Both charge the fees only to passengers who aren’t elite members of their frequent-flier programs and who are traveling in North America on discounted tickets. First-class passengers are exempt.
United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said the latest hike is intended to “encourage more of our customers to take advantage of our Web site and check in from home or office.”
Luggage fees and other a la carte charges have quickly become an important source of revenue to U.S. carriers, which are struggling to become profitable. The 21 largest U.S. carriers generated $1.2 billion in baggage fees in 2008, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
continued …