United Airlines Hikes Checked Bag Prices

As rising oil prices make it more expensive for airlines to fly, United Airlines is making it pricier for travelers to check their luggage.

United revealed Thursday that it is boosting its checked bag fee by $10, bringing the cost to $45 for the first checked bag on most domestic and Latin American flights if paid at least 24 hours in advance.

Travelers who wait until they are within 24 hours of their flight—or pay at the airport—will now face a $50 charge. The hike is even steeper for those carrying extra luggage; the fee for a third checked bag is jumping by $50, bringing the total to $200.

While United’s official statement framed the move as its first bag fee hike in two years (its last increase was in February 2024), the timing aligns with a volatile energy market. According to data from Airlines for America, jet fuel in major hubs like Chicago and New York averaged $4.88 a gallon this week.

United is the second major U.S. carrier to move this week, following JetBlue, which hiked its own fees on Monday.

United is now the most expensive of the major U.S. legacy carriers to check a bag. While American, Alaska, and Delta all currently set their base fee at $35 for the first checked bag, their final costs vary at the airport. American and Alaska both charge $40 if the fee is not prepaid, whereas Delta remains the only carrier in this group to maintain a flat $35 fee regardless of when the traveler pays. United’s new $50 airport fee now stands at least $10 higher than all three competitors.