United Airlines Doubles Second Bag Fee to $50 : Kathika Travel Website

United Airlines announced they are doubling their fee for a second checked bag. The new $50 one-way fee will apply to airline tickets bought beginning Tuesday, September 16 for travel beginning November 10. The airline cited fuel prices for the reason behind the increase.

The new fee will be applicable to flights within the United States, to or from Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgins Islands. More and more airlines are beginning to up fees for extra baggage, inflight services, ticket changes and more.

In recent months, we have seen United along with Delta, Continental, U.S. Airways, Northwest and several other smaller airlines start to charge coach passengers for a second checked bag. United, Continental, U.S. Airways and Northwest also charge $15 for the first checked bag. Delta does not. Additionally some carriers are charging $100 or more for a third checked bag.

United says that airline fuel prices are still more than 50 percent higher than 2007, despite the fact that oil prices have fallen in recent weeks. After reaching a high of $147 a barrel, the price of oil was $96 on Monday. Hopefully this decline will continue and soon be reflected in jet fuel prices.

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