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[WreckWench]

13 June 2012
United is latest to hike international bag fees

Flying abroad this summer? When it comes to what you take with you, you have two choices: (1) pack light or (2) prepare to pay more than ever. The reason: United Air Lines is the latest to join Delta in charging $100 for a second checked bag on some international flights.

That policy took effect earlier this month. It applies to flights from the US to Europe, Africa, India, the Middle East and some countries in South America.

Previously, United was charging $70 for a second checked bag.

Delta raised its second bag fee to $100 in January, which replaced its previous $75 fee.

Airline analyst Hunter Keay says it will not be surprising if other airlines like American and US Airways follow United and raise their baggage fees in the near future. Currently, they charge between $60 and $70 for second checked bags.

United collected about $277 in bag fees last year, but Delta led the nation's airlines in baggage fee revenue, collecting $864 million in 2011.

By David Wilkening