A Traveler’s Guide to Airline Checked Baggage Fees

What to know about current costs, including recent spikes pinned to the prices of jet fuel

a yellow suitcase with money floating around it

The cost of a checked bag will drive up the price of your plane ticket. Here’s what to know about what airlines charge for checked bags.

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Nicole Gill Council and Berit Thorkelson,

Updated June 10, 2026

AARP

Updated June 10, 2026

Key takeaways

Checked baggage fees rose across all major airlines earlier this year, with increases tied to higher jet fuel costs.
In 2025, the airline industry saw a major shift in checked baggage fees when Southwest Airlines removed free checked bags for all.
Travelers can lower or avoid baggage costs by prepaying for checked bags, qualifying through airline loyalty programs and credit cards or packing carry-on only.

Add it to the list of things that are now noticeably more expensive: Airline baggage fees have hit record highs. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics show U.S. airlines brought in more than $7.4 billion in passenger baggage fees in 2025 — that’s a 162 percent increase over five years.

On top of that, in the span of two weeks in April, every major U.S. airline raised its checked bag fees even more. All cited rising jet fuel prices in the wake of the war in the Middle East. “What we always see is that when one carrier moves to raise prices, the rest quickly follow,” says Sally French, NerdWallet’s travel expert.

Earlier this year, JetBlue Airways kicked off the spate, raising its fee by $9 to $49 for the first checked bag during peak travel periods. Next came United, upping its fee to $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines soon followed suit, all boosting prices by $10 for the first checked bag, except for Alaska. Its increase was $5 for the first and $10 for the second.

Southwest’s increases, in particular, come one year after the airline announced that only select customers would qualify for free checked bags — the very perk on which it had built its brand.

Baggage fees increase a trip’s overall cost, and cost is the most common roadblock to travel for those 50 and older, according to the 2026 AARP Travel Trends report. The report also found that 49 percent of travelers 50-plus plan to travel domestically by plane and 66 percent plan to travel internationally by plane.

How to avoid airline baggage fees

For many airlines, if you have elite status or higher as a loyalty member, you’ll still get free checked baggage. Other ways to get it: Book a business-, first-class or other higher fare or carry the airline’s credit card, which often gives you added travel benefits.

But travelers without these perks should “be sure to include those ‘ancillary’ costs into the budget for your trip,” says Sean Cudahy, senior aviation reporter at travel media website The Points Guy. “Add-on fees are a huge part of airlines’ bottom lines today, and not just for bags.” For example, in some fare categories, airlines will charge extra to select a seat in advance, he says.

Keep in mind that some airlines charge less if you prepay for a bag, versus checking it at the airport, French says.

Her tactic? Avoid the fees altogether by packing light. “Carry-on trips can save you money and the convenience of not having to wait in another line to check your bag and again at the luggage carousel,” French says.

It’s worth double-checking that you won’t be charged for that carry-on, though, since some budget airlines and basic economy fares charge a fee for that too.

Know your rights if a bag is lost, damaged or delayed

If you do check a bag, it’s good to know your rights, should something happen in transit. According to the DOT, if your bag is lost, federal rules say the airline is responsible for compensating you for the contents, which are subject to depreciation and maximum liability limits. The maximum liability amount is $4,700 per passenger, the DOT said. In addition, if you paid a baggage fee, you are entitled to a refund if the airline has declared that the bag is lost or if it’s significantly delayed.

Here’s what you need to know about checked bag fees from the major airlines. Note: Prices are subject to change and can depend on route and fare class. Allegiant Air, Delta, United and other carriers offer a baggage fee calculator to help determine the cost.

In this story

Alaska Airlines

Whether you must pay for a checked bag is determined by loyalty member status, fare class, Alaska or Hawai‘i resident status and if you’re a partner credit card holder. Fees can be paid during check-in online, at airport ticket counters or at a bag tag station.

$45 for the first checked bag in North America.
$55 for the second checked bag in North America.

Allegiant Air

The budget airline’s pricing is based on when a checked bag fee is purchased. Allegiant advises paying for checked baggage prior to arriving at the airport, as fees are higher there. Use the airline’s baggage fees calculator to determine your cost.

American Airlines

American’s checked bag fees vary by travel region. Sample prices are below. Save $5 if you purchase online at least two hours before departure.

$50 for the first checked bag when traveling in the main cabin within or between the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, the Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti), Mexico, Central America (except Panama) and Guyana.
$60 for the second checked bag when traveling in the main cabin within or between the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, the Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti), Mexico, Central America (except Panama) and Guyana.

Breeze Airways

Breeze publishes a route-based bag-pricing tool rather than a single national fee. Bags added at the airport cost $75 per bag, per flight.

Delta Airlines

According to the airline, the checked baggage allowance each way and price vary by route and fare class. Branded credit cards and elite loyalty memberships enjoy waived baggage fees.

$45 for the first checked bag for customers in Delta Comfort and Delta Main.
$55 for the second checked bag for customers in Delta Comfort and Delta Main.

Frontier Airlines

To tally checked bag fees, travelers making a new reservation must select the route and time of day. Frontier publishes prices through its Bag Price Checker and notes that travelers can save by purchasing bags early.

Hawaiian Airlines

Whether you must pay for a checked bag is determined by loyalty member status, fare class, Alaska or Hawai‘i resident status and if you’re a partner credit card holder. Hawaiian has route-specific checked-bag rules and fees depending on where you’re traveling.

$45 for the first checked bag traveling within North America.
$55 for the second checked bag traveling within North America.
$30 for the first checked bag if traveling within Hawai‘i.
$40 for the second checked bag if traveling within Hawai‘i.

JetBlue Airways

The airline’s checked baggage policy accounts for peak (holidays and summer travel seasons) and off-peak travel and whether the checked bag is added more than 24 hours before departure or within 24 hours of departure. The below fees apply for Blue, Blue Basic, Blue Extra and EvenMore fares. Elite loyalty members and partner credit card holders get free checked bags.

$45 for the first checked bag (off-peak) when purchased more than 24 hours before departure; $49 for the first checked bag (peak) when purchased more than 24 hours before departure; $49 for the first checked bag (off-peak) when purchased within 24 hours of departure; $59 for the first checked bag (peak) when purchased within 24 hours of departure.
$59 for the second checked bag (off-peak) when purchased more than 24 hours before departure; $69 for the second checked bag (peak) when purchased more than 24 hours before departure; $69 for the second checked bag (off-peak) purchased within 24 hours of departure; $79 for the second checked bag (peak) when purchased within 24 hours of departure.

Southwest Airlines

Those purchasing Choice Extra Fares, as well as elite loyalty members and partner credit card holders, get free checked bags — in some cases, for companions as well.

$45 for the first checked bag.
$55 for the second checked bag.

Sun Country Airlines

Baggage fees at Sun Country may differ based on the route and when you add on the checked bag. Use the Explore Bag Prices tool to determine the bag costs for your flight. Note: The earlier you add a bag, the more you will save. Partner credit card holders get 50 percent off baggage fees when prepurchased online.

United Airlines

A bag fee may be required depending on the class, destination and loyalty rewards program status. Partner credit card holders and guests on the same reservation can check bags for free. The airline offers a discount if you pay online at least 24 hours before your flight and provides a calculator to determine checked bag costs.

$50 for the first checked bag on flights within the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Latin America.
$60 for the second checked within the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Latin America.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on March 28, 2025. It has been updated to reflect new information. 

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Contributing: The Associated Press.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Nicole Gill Council is a writer and editor of travel and diversity, equity and inclusion content for aarp.org. Previously, she was a digital planning manager and a news editor at USA Today and Gannett News Service, and a copy editor at the Los Angeles Times and Newsday.

Berit Thorkelson is a travel writer and editor for aarp.org. She has written for publications such as National Geographic Traveler, Better Homes & Gardens and The Minnesota Star Tribune’s travel section.