United to charge for baggage

CHICAGO – The lone U.S. carrier to buck the trend of charging international passengers to check luggage, United Airlines, is joining the fee-for-all.

United told employees Thursday it planned to introduce fees for the second bag checked by economy-class passengers on flights to Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Every other major U.S. carrier has unveiled luggage fees on trans-Atlantic flights.

Starting with tickets purchased on or after Sept. 30 for travel on or after Dec. 15, United plans to charge $50 to check a second-piece of luggage on flights between the U.S. and Europe.

United will also charge $30 to check a second bag on flights between the United States and Mexico and the United States and Caribbean. Travelers can save $3 by paying the fee as the check-in online.

The fees will not apply to customers flying in United’s first- or business-class cabins, Global Services members, Mileage Plus members with Premier Associate status or higher, or customers who hold Star Alliance silver or gold status. Active U.S. military personnel traveling on orders and their dependents are also exempt.