Checking A Bag at Delta Will Now Cost You More

Delta Air Lines is the latest airline to boost checked-bag fees, following similar moves in the last few months by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines.

Beginning March 5, Delta raised fees for first and second checked bags by $5 for most U.S.-originating domestic and short-haul international routes, a spokesperson said in an email. The increase does not apply to tickets bought before March 5, he said.

"Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members; customers flying with First Class, Delta Premium Select and Delta One itineraries; and those with eligible co-branded Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards will continue to receive their allotment of complimentary checked bags,” the spokesperson said. There are no fee increases or changes for checked bags between US/Canada and Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay, he added.

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Here's a quick look at what you can now expect to pay to check your bags for domestic flights at major airlines. Visit each airline's website for more information, including a complete list of their new checked bag fees.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines raised checked bag prices for tickets purchased on or after January 2. The airline's new fees include:

• $35 for first bag (up from $30).
• $45 for second bag (up from $40).

American Airlines

American Airline's checked bag increase went into effect for tickets purchased on or after February 20. Its list of new fees include:

• $35 for first bag purchased online for domestic flights, including to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico (up from $30).
• $40 for first bag on the same flights purchased at the airport (up from $35).
• $45 for second bag on domestic flights (up from $40).

Delta Air Lines

Delta's increase went into effect on March 5 for most U.S.-originating and short-haul international routes. Its list of new fees include:

• $35 for the first checked bag
• $45 for the second bag

JetBlue

JetBlue raised checked bag prices as of February 1, according to The Points Guy.

If checking bags at least 24 hours before departure, you'll pay:

• $35 for first bag on flights within the U.S., Latin America, Caribbean and Canada.
• $50 for second bag on those flights.

If checking bags within 24 hours of departure, expect to pay:

• $45 for first bag on flights within the U.S., Latin America, Caribbean and Canada.
• $60 for second bag on these flights.

United Airlines

United Airlines raised bag fees for tickets purchased on or after February 24. While the airline did not provide specific pricing for each bag, it said that fees for the first and second checked bag will rise by $5 in most markets.

To see what you'll pay, you’ll need to use United’s baggage fee calculator.

For example, travelers flying from Orlando to Washington, D.C. will pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second checked bag, if they pay in advance of their travel date. They'll pay $40 for the first bag and $50 for the second if they don't prepay, however.

First increase in recent years

Not every airline offered an explanation for the increases but several, including Delta, said it was their first increase in the last few years.

The Delta spokesperson said the increase will help Delta "stay apace with rising industry costs."

Last month, after raising its checked bag fees, JetBlue cited inflationary pressures including increased costs and attempts to recoup profits following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The new fees, like the old, vary based on factors such as the number of bags checked, the destination (a domestic versus international flight, for example), as well as whether the traveler pays in advance of the day of departure. In addition, many airlines will waive checked bag fees for certain travelers enrolled in loyalty programs, such as mileage or credit card-affiliated programs. 

In other air travel news, Delta may be eyeing the elimination of its "Bags On Time" guarantee for domestic travel, according to a February 27 report in The Points Guy. The program awards SkyMiles members 2,500 bonus points "if your checked bag doesn't arrive at the carousel in 20 minutes or less after any domestic flight," Delta says on its site.

To take advantage of that perk, for now at least, visit Delta's bag claims website and fill out a form no later than three days after your flight's arrival.

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