Remember when mom used to say, “If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you?”

It turns out airlines absolutely would—especially when it comes to raising fees. Just days after United and JetBlue bumped up their checked bag prices, Delta, Southwest, and American have followed right behind.

And when airlines all jump, it’s travelers who get hit with the splash—paying more to fly, even when ticket prices don’t change.

Another Round of Fee Increases

Delta, Southwest, and American are the latest airlines to hike checked bag fees, each adding about $10 to the cost. Here’s how the changes break down.

American Airlines New Bag Fees

American Airlines is the latest to join the wave of fee increases, raising checked bag prices by $10.

That brings its pricing in line with other major U.S. carriers, with first checked bags now landing at $45 and second bags climbing higher.

Bags	Previous Price	New Price
First Checked Bag	$35	$45
Second Checked Bag	$45	$55
Carry On	Free	Free (No change)

Delta Airlines New Bag Fees

Delta has increased checked bag fees by $10, bringing the cost of a first checked bag to $45. Second checked bags have also gone up and cost even more, continuing the airline’s gradual push toward higher ancillary pricing.

Bags	Previous Price	New Price
First Checked Bag	$35	$45
Second Checked Bag	$45	$55
Carry On	Free	Free (No change)

Southwest Airlines® New Bag Fees

Southwest’s fee increase stands out for a different reason: the airline only relatively recently began charging for checked bags at all.

Now, with prices also increasing by $10, Southwest® is moving further away from the customer-friendly policies that once set it apart. First checked bags are now in the same price range as those of other major U.S. carriers, with the fee for second bags also going up.

Bags	Previous Price	New Price
First Checked Bag	$35	$45
Second Checked Bag	$45	$55
Carry On	Free	Free (No change)

This shift sure makes Southwest look a lot more like its competitors.

Related: 5 Reasons To Still Love Southwest Airlines

 

How To Avoid Paying Higher Bag Fees

Even as fees rise, there are still a few reliable ways to avoid paying them altogether. 

Holding a co-branded airline credit card remains one of the easiest. Many cards offer a free checked bag for the cardholder—and sometimes companions on the same reservation—which can also quickly offset the annual fee. 

That’s not by accident. Airlines have been steadily adding more value to their co-branded cards while increasing out-of-pocket costs elsewhere. United, for example, recently boosted earning rates and added perks specifically for cardholders.

Here are a few popular card options that include a free checked bag perk for Delta, Southwest®, and American:

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to four companions; $99 annual fee (waived first year).
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation; $0 intro annual fee, then $annual_fees. Terms apply.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: First checked bag free for cardholder and up to eight additional passengers; $99 annual fee.

Elite status and premium-cabin tickets can also include baggage allowances, though those options won’t apply to every traveler.

Related: All About the Southwest Airlines Credit Cards

Higher Bag Fees Are Here To Stay

While airlines are all diving in on this trend, travelers are the ones footing the bill—and with more carriers moving in the same direction, that’s not likely to change anytime soon.

 

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