Airline Baggage Fees Rise

United joins the fee increase.

Bloomberg News is reporting that United Airlines plans to start charging $23 for a first piece of checked luggage, a 53 percent increase, to match fees by competitors Delta and Continental. A second bag will cost $32, up from $25, Robin Urbanski, a spokeswoman for Chicago-based parent UAL Corp. told Bloomberg. The prices apply to online check-ins only, with airport transactions $2 more for the first bag and $3 more for the second. American Airlines and US Airways says they too are considering raising rates.

Southwest is the last major carrier without baggage fees.