United Airlines is raising checked bag fees, with a $10 increase across the board for most North American and Latin American itineraries. The move, which takes effect for tickets purchased starting April 3, 2026, marks the first increase in two years.
United Airlines Raises Checked Bag Fees
Under the new pricing, the cost of both first and second checked bags rises by $10, while the fee for third and additional bags jumps by $50. As usual, the cheapest option remains prepaying online at least 24 hours before departure.
Here’s a breakdown of the changes:
| Tickets Through April 2, 2026 | Tickets From April 3, 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 3rd+ Bag | 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 3rd+ Bag | |
| Prepaid (24+ hrs before) | $35 | $45 | $150 | $45 | $55 | $200 |
| Within 24 hrs of travel | $40 | $50 | $150 | $50 | $60 | $200 |
So what used to cost $35 will now cost $45, and what used to cost $45 will now cost $55. The penalty for checking bags at the airport rather than prepaying remains in place as well.
United framed the change this way:
United is raising first and second checked bag fees by $10 for customers traveling in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and Latin America beginning with tickets purchased Friday, April 3. United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus® Premier® members, active military members and customers traveling in premium cabins can still check a bag for free, and customers in most markets will still enjoy a $5 discount if they prepay for their bags online 24 hours before their flight. This is the first time in two years the airline has raised bag fees.
Who Avoids The Fee Increase?
As United notes, many frequent flyers and credit card holders will not feel this at all. If you hold a United co-branded credit card, have elite status, are traveling in a premium cabin, or are active-duty military, your first checked bag remains free.
This bag fee increase plays right into United’s push to drive more people to sign up for its co-branded credit cards, with hopes that many will now sign up for the card not only to increase mileage earning and save on redemptions, but now to save on baggage fees as well.
Checked bag fees are one of the easiest ways for airlines to boost revenue without raising base fares. They are also avoid the 7.5% federal excise fee, which is only imposed on airline tickets, not ancillary fees.
This move follows a similar move earlier this week by United’s partner (and future merger companion?) JetBlue.
> Read More: JetBlue Says It Is Raising Bag Fees Again To Keep Fares “Low” And Wi-Fi Free
CONCLUSION
United’s latest bag fee increase of $10/bag matches a similar move by JetBlue. While many loyal customers will be insulated from the change, occasional travelers will now pay even more, creating another incentive to sign up for a United credit card. As always, if you are checking a bag that is subject to payment, pay for your baggage fees at least 24 hours prior to travel.
Last time, United matched American in raising fees. This time, I expect American Airlines and others will soon match.
I’ve always shopped economy + 2 bag fees vs Domestic first w/ free bags when flying domestic positioning flights.
Curious if the latter fares will stay the same or if they’ll slowly start creeping up to a new higher baseline.
If left unregulated, businesses will continue to monopolize, collude, and raise prices, because profits for shareholders is all that matters, regardless of the harms to stakeholders.
Not a fan of UA or any airline doing this. Sure, I have the cards/status, but not cool, either way.
This is an expected outcome for UA, which has been struggling with a more than 80% increase in jet fuel costs -like the rest of the airline industry- since the Middle East conflict began in February.
In this context, it is highly likely that DL and AA will also follow B6 and UA’s lead in the near future.
Remember that unlike Delta or American, with United, your ticket must be bought with your credit card instead of just having one.