Just one more reason to fly Southwest - American increases bag fees

[jksobonya]

American Airlines checked bag fee is now more expensive, company announces

Checking a bag on American Airlines will now cost you more than at every other major US airline.

The carrier announced Tuesday that the price of the first checked-bag on most flights is increasing to $40 for customers that didn't prepay online. It will cost $35 if paid online during check in. That's as much as a 33% increase from what it previously cost on American Airlines: $30 for both methods.

Flights within and between the United States, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands are all affected by the price increase. American has also hiked the price of a second checked bag to $45 (up from $40.)

Other routes are also getting price increase, too: Checked-baggage fees on flights between to and from the US to Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and Central America destinations now costs $35 (up from $30) and the second checked bag fee is $45 (up from $40).

Changes are effective for flights booked beginning Tuesday. Passengers that bought tickets prior to this will pay the previous prices. Flyers that have an airline-branded credit card, buy tickets in premium cabins or have status are largely exempt from the price increases.

American didn't immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. The changes were reflected on its website as of Tuesday.

American's largest rivals, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, charge $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for a second on similar routes. However, it's not uncommon for them to follow since that has happened in the past.

The price increase comes at a time when airlines are battling rising fuel and labor costs. American (AAL) revealed in its earnings last month that its net income plunged 98% for the last three months of 2023.

U.S. airlines make a ton of money these fees. In 2022, they made a record $6.8 billion on baggage fees, according to the most recent data from Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Source 

I hope Southwest never starts charging bag fees. They are so ahead of the game in this area compared to everyone else.

— Jessica

[SoCalFlyer97]

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@jksobonya wrote:

I hope Southwest never starts charging bag fees. They are so ahead of the game in this area compared to everyone else.

— Jessica

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Here's the official page that doucments the price hike:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-service/support/optional-service-fees.jsp

Southwest's current free bag policy is certainly a key product where the airline even has registered Bags Fly Free as a Registered Trademark with the USPTO. With this fact in place, I don't think in my opinion that SW is going to walk away from this principle policy anytime soon. 

[ZevSupport]

Long live 2 bags free! 

[jksobonya]

Seems like most of the major airlines have raised their bag fees - JetBlue and United among them! https://www.afar.com/magazine/these-u-s-airlines-have-all-raised-their-checked-bag-fees

--Jessica

[kasey97]

Non-issue for me.  I have an AA credit card and am status with them.  AA and SWA are my top two go-to airlines.  Basically I earn a ton of miles with AA that I use for free international flights.  And I earn a respectable number of miles with my SWA credit card; and use them for free domestic flights.  And free checked bags on both.