Stop the presses! Delta and Continental Airlines have raised their fees for checked bags–again.
With these latest luggage fee hikes, Delta and Continental will share the dubious honor of being the airlines that gouge their customers the most on checked bags.
But does this mean that other airlines will follow suit? Keep reading to find out how much Delta and Continental are charging now and what it means for travelers.
Delta and Continental will make their customers pay $25 for their first checked bag and $35 for their second. But, in an act of selfless generosity, each airline is offering a discount for paying in advance online–$2 off your first bag, $3 off your second.
For Delta’s customers, the increase applies to tickets purchased on or after January 5. For passengers on Continental, the new rates affect those who booked their seats on or after January 9 for travel on or after January 16.
With airlines struggling to turn a profit, many are turning to nickel and diming passengers to make up the difference.
Since 2002, revenue from services like checked baggage fees has grown 60 percent to more than $2 billion in 2008.
With Delta and Continental leading the way, other airlines may find it difficult to pass up the opportunity to raise their fees.
Southwest Airlines is the only major carrier holding out on charging passengers to check their luggage.
By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.
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