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Three major U.S. airlines have raised their checked bag fees since the start of 2024, in some cases by nearly 30%.
American Airlines and JetBlue hiked their baggage fees in February, following a fee increase by Alaska Air in January. A similar situation happened in 2018, when American, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines all raised their fees in the span of a few weeks.
In a statement to CNBC Select, American Airlines said the latest increase was due to ongoing inflation and increased fuel and operating costs.
Here's what you need to know about the new checked bag fees and how you can get around them.
American Airlines checked bag fees
American Airlines raised the checked bag fee on domestic flights from a flat $30 charge to $35 if you check your bag online and $40 if you wait until you get to the airport.
The cost of a second bag has gone up from $40 to $45, regardless of where you check in.
Checking luggage on American Airlines flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Guyana is also getting pricier: One bag now costs $35 (up from $30), while a second bag is $45 (up from $40).
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American has, however, reduced fees for some oversized luggage: Checked bags that are up to three pounds over the 50-pound limit will only cost an additional $30, down from the previous $100-$200 charge.
The changes are being applied to all tickets purchased on or after Feb. 20, 2024.
JetBlue checked bag fees
American isn't the only airline bumping up fees: As of Feb.1, low-cost carrier JetBlue has been requiring passengers to pay $45 (up from $35) to check a bag within 24 hours of a flight within the U.S., Latin America, Caribbean and Canada. The cost to check a second bag remains unchanged at $60.
According to the JetBlue website, passengers can save $10 on their first two bags by checking in at least 24 hours before departure.
Alaska Airlines checked bag fees
On Jan. 2, 2024, Alaska Airlines increased its baggage fees from $30 to $35 for the first bag and from $40 to $45 for a second one.
How to avoid checked bag fees
If you're frustrated by mounting fees, you could try squeezing everything into a carry-on. Of course, low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier charge for overhead carry-on bags, too, and United Basic Economy and JetBlue Basic Blue don't even allow them.
Fortunately, if you need to bring a larger suitcase on your next trip, many travel and airline credit cards have perks that eliminate or offset the cost of checking your luggage.
If you don't want to be tied to one airline, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) card offers a yearly travel statement credit worth up to $300 that can be applied toward checked bag fees on any carrier. Sapphire Reserve cards also come with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and bonus points for Lyft rides.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® offers one free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation. In addition, you can earn 50,000 bonus miles after your first purchase within 90 days of opening the account, plus a 25% statement credit on inflight food and beverages and up to $25 back from the cost of in-flight wifi.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Rewards
2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases; 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days
Annual fee
$99
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening
Regular APR
20.24% to 29.99%
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fees
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.
Pros
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Generous balance transfer intro APR offer
Cons
- Not very rewarding for purchases
If you're flying Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card includes a free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and up to six companions on the same reservation. In addition, you'll get priority boarding, 20% back on inflight purchases and $100 off an Alaska Lounge membership.
- Annual companion fare
- Lounge membership discount
- Earns valuable miles
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus spending categories
Information about Bank of America cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
The JetBlue Plus Card offers one free checked bag on JetBlue flights for you and up to three companions on the same reservation. It also earns 6x points on every $1 spent on eligible JetBlue purchases, one of the highest rates of the cards reviewed by CNBC Select. (The Plus Card earns 2x on restaurants and grocery stores and 1x on everything else.)
JetBlue Plus Card
Rewards
6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases; 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores; 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 70,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on the card and pay the annual fee in the first 90 days.
Annual fee
$99
Intro APR
0% APR on eligible balance transfers that post to account within 45 days of account opening, for the first 12 billing cycles; 19.49% to 29.49% variable thereafter depending on creditworthiness
Regular APR
19.49% to 29.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5%, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fees
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Pros
- 5,000 bonus points on your account anniversary
- 10% rebate on JetBlue award flight redemptions
- First checked bag free for you and up to three companions
- 50% off in-flight purchases
Cons
- $99 annual fee
- Limited bonus spending categories
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Bottom line
With major airlines raising checked bag fees, using a credit card with travel rewards or that's co-branded with an airline can let you bring everything you want on a trip without worrying about the cost. The best travel cards have other great benefits.
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