US Airways: Checking 2nd Bag Will Cost You $25

Checking more than one bag for a US Airways flight? Be sure to check your wallet for $25.

That’s what the airline will charge for checking a second bag starting May 5.

And forget dodging the fee by packing one big suitcase. Bags weighing more than 50 pounds cost $50 each to check, while more than 70 pounds will set you back $100.

The fees are another sign of major airlines’ growing movement to "a la carte" pricing, in which customers pay separate charges for certain services such as priority seating and food. Low-cost carriers already routinely charge such fees.

Other airlines likely will adopt similar baggage fees, said David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association. He predicted those fees will be followed by other new fees as major airlines charge for services previously covered by the cost of a ticket.

US Airways, which has its largest hub in Charlotte, announced the new $25 fee for checking a second bag Tuesday. Similar to one adopted by United Airlines three weeks ago, the fee is aimed to offset increased fuel prices, which have raised operating costs, US Airways officials said.

Besides United, no other major airline has adopted such a policy. Among low-fare carriers, Skybus, Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air have fees for checking bags, according to US Airways.

"Oil topped $100 a barrel this month," Scott Kirby, US Airways’ president, wrote in a letter to employees. " … The impact on the airline industry is very significant."

Ultimately, US Airways expects about 8 percent of US Airways passengers will have to pay the $25 fee, each way, which should generate about $75 million in revenue. The fee doesn’t apply to people who bought tickets before Tuesday for travel on or after May 5.

Not surprisingly, some travelers don’t embrace the change.

Don Monteith of Charlotte, a regional manager for a staffing firm, called the fee "a real slap in the face."

"It’s another reason to drive and not fly on any trip you can do so," Monteith said via e-mail. "… Stop looking at ways to squeeze more money out of average people."

He said he flies four or five times a year for business and family vacations.

Kirby said he anticipated complaints.

"Some critics may call this another example of airline customers being ‘nickel-and-dimed’ for services that used to be provided as part of the flying experience — food, entertainment and now bags," Kirby wrote to employees.

"But the airline industry of 2008 is very different from the industry of 1998 or 1988, and we have to realistic — and innovative — about our product," he wrote. "… Rather than wait for external factors to change, we have to take charge of our own destiny and ensure we’re here for the long term."

How it works

Beginning May 5, US Airways will start charging $25 per passenger at check-in for checking a second piece of luggage. Some passengers are exempt from the fee, including:

–Dividend Miles Preferred members.

–First-class and Envoy passengers.

–Active military personnel.

–Unaccompanied minors.

–People with devices such as wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.

–US Airways employees and dependents.

Passengers still can check one bag per person free of charge. After the $25 fee for a second bag, checking a third or other additional bag will cost $100 per bag.