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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

UPDATED: US Airways raises bag fees; Continental matches international

As of Thursday morning, Continental had joined US Airways and American in raising to $50 the fee for a second checked bag on flights to Europe and U.S. overseas territories. Don't be surprised if other transatlantic carriers also boost their fees, giving you something else to figure into the cost of a trip to Europe unless you can get by with just one piece of checked luggage. 

Here's what we posted on Wednesday afternoon:

US Airways just announced an increase in its checked-bag fees, matching what American has done. Starting with tickets sold today for travel Oct. 7 or after, the first checked bag will cost each passenger $20 if you check in online, or $25 if it's done at the airport. The second bag checked will be $30 if checking in online or $35 if you do it at the airport. As usual, the fees don't apply if you're traveling first or business class or are a "preferred" member of the frequent-flier program.

US Airways also said it would match, and go further, than American's new $50 fee for a second checked bag on overseas flights. (plus $5 if you check in at the airport instead of online). US Airways will charge the fee for all European destinations while American put out a list of countries where it will apply.

The airline has a decent, easy-to-read page on its Web site on is bag policies: http://www2.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/baggage/baggagepolicies.html:

US Airways president Scott Kirby told employees in a notice today that the airline would also be "vigilant" in making sure carry-on bags are regulation size. Airlines have seen an increase in carry-ons since they started charging checked fees last year, and the more the fees go up, the more of that they're going to get. The airlines have adopted some size restrictions recently, so it pays to look at the US Airways site, or go to your airlines' Web site using the links in the right-hand column of this blog, to try to learn all that you can. 

I will take a closer look at what some airline CEOs think about fees in a future column, probably next Monday, so stand by.
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 4:45 PM  Permalink | 5 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:54 PM, 08/26/2009
    $30 to lose your bag seems fair.
    — jreese
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:54 PM, 08/26/2009
    $30 to lose your bag seems fair.
    — jreese
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:50 PM, 08/26/2009
    People when you fly domestic, fly Southwest, no baggage fees, real nice staff, and cheap ticket prices.
    — philligurl
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:52 AM, 08/27/2009
    FLY SOUTHWEST AIRLINES...
    — STEVE5444


5 comments
About Tom Belden
Tom Belden has been reporting about Philadelphia International Airport and other air travel subjects for more than 20 years, writing columns for The Inquirer's Travel and Business sections. His reporting (with colleague Craig McCoy) on baggage handling problems in Philadelphia have been credited with helping to improve the system. His previous blog was called Road Warrior. He can reached at tbelden@phillynews.com.
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