INDIANAPOLIS — If you need to bring a checked bag this summer, it is going to cost you.
Katy Nastro, with Going.com, said the rate for legacy carriers – including Delta, American and United – is $35 when you book online ahead of time.
"Most major carriers have increased their bag fees between $5 and $10," Nastro said.
JetBlue is also $35 for the first checked bag — unless it is their peak travel time. Then, it's $40.
Peak-season pricing applies to those traveling on the following dates: 4/11-4/29/24, 6/20-9/3/24, 11/21-12/2/24, 12/19/24-1/6/25, 2/13-2/24/25, 4/3-4/28/25, according to JetBlue's site.
"The carrier has actually imposed seasonality to its baggage pricing," Nastro said. "Up to 40% of dates in the calendar year are actually considered peak in terms of when you need to pay a bit more for your check bags."
As for budget airlines, they charge different bag prices for different routes.
From Indianapolis to Vegas on Frontier, a checked bag is $54. The same flight for Spirit is $53.
Spirit and Frontier's checked bags also need to be lighter at 40 pounds instead of the traditional 50 pounds.
In 2022, airlines collected $6.8 billion in baggage fees, according to the Department of Transportation.
So, why are we the seeing the separation of fare and fees?
"Airlines are taking advantage of the fact that ancillary fees like check bags, they don't have to pay a tax on like they do a base fare to the government," Nastro said.
She said that by unbundling, airlines can keep more of the revenue that comes in from things like checked bags and seat selection.
To save money on your bags, pay in advance or pay with certain credit cards.
If you go with an airline card, bags can be free.
Other travel cards might offer annual credits that can go toward costs including bags.
Carry-on luggage – Basic fare
On budget airlines, a carry-on bag is about the same price or more money than a checked bag.
However, United and Jet Blue do not allow a carry-on for basic fare tickets traveling within the U.S. Travelers are only allowed a personal item and are offered the option to pay for a checked bag.