Delta, Continental to Raise Checked Baggage Fees - 348

Delta Air Lines will be raising the fee for passengers to check one bag from $15 to $23, CNN.com has reported, and Continental will be matching the increase. The second checked bag will be $32.

Travelers should keep in mind that these fees are for online check-ins only. If you wait to check-in your bag at the airport as opposed to selecting the option when you purchase the ticket, you will pay $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second. So passengers can save a little money by planning ahead.

The new fees will begin Tuesday for tickets purchased on or after January 5 if you are flying Delta. On Continental, the new fees apply to tickets purchased on or after January 9 for flights after January 16. Those passengers flying in first class, holding adequate frequent flyer status and military personnel on deployment will still be exempt from most fees.

This hike in price could strongly influence just how much of a bargain that ticket price truly is. To check one bag round-trip on either airline you’ll be tacking on an extra $46 to the deal you scored online, perhaps making it not such a deal after all.

The good news is that there are still some airlines out there that are not charging for the first bag. It is free to check up to two bags on Southwest Airlines and JetBlue checks your first bag for free and charges $30 for the second.

If you are trying to get a final price for that ticket you have your eye on, here is a breakdown of current charges by most major carriers for your first bag checked online as of today.

• Delta - $23
• Continental - $23
• US Airways - $20
• United - $15
• American - $20
• Southwest – Free
• JetBlue - Free

Lori Rice is a freelance health and travel writer, and Galavanting travel news and reviews correspondent. You can follow her adventures at 3 Star Traveler or explore her thoughts as a nutritionist, wellness advocate and foodie traveler at Fake Food Free.