Wednesday, October 14, 2015

How Much Will That Extra Bag Cost? Fees Charged by the Top 5 U.S. Airlines

Gone are the days when your airline ticket covered the full cost of your flight. Fort Lauderdale-based Spirit Airlines started the fees trend when it began charging for checked luggage and almost every other service and amenity available. In 2014, ancillary revenue by the world's airlines reached 38.1 billion, up 21 percent year over year, according to a report by CarTrawler and IdeaWorks. Ancillary revenue among U.S. major airlines increased more than $2.6 billion, or 18.7 percent. Below is a list of fees charged by the top 5 U.S. carrier.

 - Photo by Benet J. Wilson
American Airlines at its Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport hub. Photo by Benet J. Wilson

1.  American Airlines

Ticketing Fees

  • Non-refundable ticket change fee: $200

  • Same-day change fee: $75

  • Reservation by phone fee: $25 domestic, $35 international

  • Reservation (ticket issue) at airport or city ticket offices, including. Admirals Club: $35 domestic, $45 international

  • Unaccompanied minor fee: $150+ tax each way (up to 14 years old)

Baggage Fees

  • First checked bag fee: $25  (free to most international destinations)

  • Second checked bag fee: $35

  • Additional bags fee: $150 each

  • Overweight bags: $100 for 51-70 lbs; $200 for 71-100 lbs

  • Oversize bags: $200

  • Pet Fees: In-cabin: $125, Checked: $200

Frequent Flier/AAdvantage Fees

  • AAdvantage award processing: $75 if booked 20 or fewer days before departure

  • Date/itinerary change: $75-$150 (waived for Executive Platinum)

  • Redeposit Miles: $150 (all additional award tickets returning to same account at same time are $25 each)

  • Same-day change fee: $75

Other Fees

  • Preferred Seats: $4-$139 per flight; "Main Cabin Extra" seats $20-$195 per flight.

  • Priority Boarding Fee: Group 1 boarding $15 - $40
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Delta-ATL.jpg - Photo by Benet J. Wilson
Delta check-in at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Photo by Benet J. Wilson

2.  Delta Air Lines

 Ticketing Fees

  • Non-refundable ticket change fee: $200 (up to $450 on some international fares)

  • Same day change fee: $50

  • Reservation by phone or ticket office fee: $25-$35

  • Unaccompanied minor fee: $150+ ticket fare each way

Baggage Fees

  • Carry on bag: Free

  • First checked bag fee: $25 ($0 to international destinations except Canada and Caribbean)

  • Second checked bag fee: $35 ($40-$100 for some international destinations)

  • Additional bags fee: $150 for third bag; $200 each for bags 4-10

  • Overweight bags: $100 for 51-70lbs; $200 for 71-100lbs

  • Oversize bags: $150-$300

  • Pet Fees: In-cabin: $125 - $200, Checked: $200

Frequent Flier/Sky Club Fees

  • In phone/in person ticketing: $25

  • Date/itinerary change: $150 (warning! no changes/cancellations are permitted within 72 hours of departure; all miles forfeited)

  • Redeposit Miles: $150

  • Same day change fee: $50

Other Fees

  • Preferred Seats: Varies per flight.

  • Priority Boarding Fee: $15 per flight

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United-Economy-Plus1.jpg - Photo courtesy of United Airlines
United Airlines Economy Plus cabin. Photo courtesy of United Airlines

3.  United Airlines

Ticketing Fees

  • Non-refundable ticket change fee: $200

  • Same-day change fee: $75

  • Reservation by phone fee: $25

  • Unaccompanied minor fee: $150

Baggage Fees

  • Carry on bag: Free

  • First checked bag fee: $25

  • Second checked bag fee: $35

  • Additional bags fee: $150 each (up to $200 on some international routes)

  • Overweight bags: $100 51-70lbs; $200 71-100lbs (up to $400 on some international routes)

  • Oversize bags: $200 (up to $200 on some international routes)

  • Pet fee: $125 in cabin; Checked pets - check current rates here

Frequent Flier/Mileage Plus Fees

  • Last-minute ticketing: $75 if booked within 21 days of departure (Free to $50 for frequent flyer members with status)

  • In phone/in person ticketing: $25

  • Date/itinerary change: $75 if made 21 or more days prior to travel; $100 if made less than 21 days (lower or no fees for frequent flyer members with status)

  • Redeposit Miles: Depends on number of miles - Check this chart

  • Same day change fee: $75

Other Fees

  • Seat Selection Fee: None, unless you choose an extra-legroom seat.

  • Other Fees: "Premier access" fee (priority check-in, TSA lines, and boarding) $9 and up per flight.

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 - Photo y Kevin Dooley, via Wikimedia Commons
A Southwest Airlines interior. Photo y Kevin Dooley, via Wikimedia Commons

4.  Southwest Airlines

Ticketing Fees

  • Non-refundable ticket change fee: Free

  • Same day change fee: None but any fare difference will apply

  • Reservation by phone fee: Free

  • Unaccompanied minor fee: $50 each way (up to 12)

Baggage Fees

  • Carry on bag: Free

  • First checked bag: Free

  • Second checked bag: Free

  • Additional bags fee: $50 each for 3-9 bags; $110 each for more

  • Overweight bags: $75

  • Oversize bags: $75

  • Pet Fees: In-cabin: $95, Checked: not allowed

Frequent Flier/Rapid Rewards Fees

  • In phone/in person ticketing: $0

  • Date/itinerary change: $0 (but any fare difference will apply)

  • Redeposit Miles: $ 0

  • Same day change fee: Depends on type of award and possible point difference

Other Fees

  • Seat Selection Fee: None

  • Priority Boarding Fee: Early Bird check-in $12.50 each way

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 - Photo courtesy of JetBlue
A JetBlue Airbus A321 jet. Photo courtesy of JetBlue

5.  JetBlue

Ticketing Fees

  • Non-refundable ticket change fee: $75-$150 depending on cost of ticket.

  • Same-day change fee: $50 for Blue, Blue Plus and Mint fares

  • Reservation by phone fee: $20

  • Unaccompanied minor fee: $100

Baggage Fees

  • Checked bag: Free for Blue Plus, Blue Flex and Mint fares; for Blue fares, $20 when purchased during web check-in or at a kiosk, or $25 at the check-in counter.

  • First checked bag: Free

  • Second checked bag: $50

  • Additional bags fee: $100 each

  • Overweight bags: $100 for 51-99lbs

  • Oversize bags: $100

  • Pet flight fee: $100

Frequent Flier/True Blue Fees

  • In phone/in person ticketing: $25

  • Redeposit Miles: $50-$100

  • Same day change fee: $50

Other Fees

  • Seat Selection Fee: "Even More Space" seats with extra legroom: $10-$90 per flight.

  • Even More Speed expedited security screening (at available airports) $10-$14 for Blue and Blue Plus fares.

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Editor's Note

Please follow my travel-related magazines on Flipboard: Best of About Travel, a joint curation venture with my fellow About Travel Experts; and Travel-Go! There's Nothing Stopping You, all about the passenger experience on the ground and in the air. You can also find my travel-related boards on Pinterest and follow me on Twitter at @AvQueenBenet.


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