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The Cost Behind Checking Bags
How much green will it cost to check your luggage?
Ethan Davidoff / AdminSecret
To deal with the soaring price of jet-fuel virtually every major airline is now charging fees for checking bags. AdminSecret did the research and has the 411. See the list below for the details (rates refer to domestic flights and exclude all 1st class and premium customers):
American Airlines

For those who buy tickets after June 14th American Airlines is implementing a $15 fee for the first bag each way. Sorry travelers, not even one free bag with American!
Delta

Alaska Airlines

Continental Airlines

Northwest Airlines

US Airways

United Airlines
Checked Baggage Rates:
1st: $15
2nd: $25
3rd: $100
4th: $100
5th: $100
6th and every bag after: $200
Southwest
Baggage Allowance: Southwest will allow two (2) checked pieces of baggage per ticketed Customer. Size and weight limitations apply.
Excess Baggage: You may check a third bag for a charge of $25. Your 4th through 9th bag or item will incur a charge of $50 per piece, and any bag or item thereafter will be $110 per piece.
Conclusion: If you have multiple bags that need to be checked, Southwest is probably your best alternative.
(The above rates refer to domestic flights and exclude all 1st class and premium customers)
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JasmineFreeman
almost 2 years ago
36 comments
The August 12, 2008 Issue of USA Today (Business Section 3B) had a great spreadsheet of 15 major airllines and all fees related to reservations, freq fliers, in the airport (curbside check, bag checks, lounge fees) and the in-flight services fees from headseats to bringing pets aboard. I scanned the document for easy access because I book so much travel - it comes in handy and it's all in one easy to read sheet.