No more free bag check at American


The airline and its subsidiary, American Eagle, said this morning that, beginning June 15, passengers will have to pay $15 to check their first bag and $25 for a second bag each way on domestic flights and flights to Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Passengers who buy full-fare economy, or first- or business-class tickets, will be exempt, as will elite frequent travelers, those traveling on military fares, and those using the highest category of frequent-flier rewards tickets.

The announcement comes as fuel prices continue to climb.

Last week, United Airlines announced that it no longer would automatically credit travelers with 500 frequent-flier miles for trips under that distance. Now, travelers will get the actual distance credited to their account. It’s a change US Airways made earlier.

American Eagle offers three daily flights to Chicago from Albany International Airport. United offers four daily flights to Washington and six to Chicago.

Eric Anderson

3 Responses

  1. Tim says:

    I am so sick of getting SCREWED by the airlines. Besides being treated like dirt, they now charge us for everything.

    I hope that they all go out of business!!!

  2. Jean says:

    This will only making loading an airplane even more time-consuming. Everyone will try to cram their luggage into the overhead bins. Is it any wonder that people are flying less. Any distance under 1000 miles is easier to drive. However, I could imagine resorts offering to reimburse the luggage fee in order to get people to fly.

  3. Wayne J. Kelly says:

    Just another example of US Airlines trying to compete with foreign airlines subsidized by governments. Fly a foreign subsidized airline and it is like flying domestic airlines 30-40 years ago and being treated human again.