Compare Fees and Perks On Major U.S. Airlines

For years the airlines have been nickel and diming us to death. You never really know until you've booked the flight and you realize all the extras you'll wind up paying, above and beyond the air fare itself.


We used to be able to check our first bag free. That has all changed



Bankrate has put together a comparison list of additional fees that some of the major airlines charge, so you can make an educated choice.


The first choice you  have is to compare baggage fees. Most of the airlines charge about the same for checked baggage and nothing for carry on, except for Spirit Airlines which wins top award for best price gouger.  Spirit charges a whopping $35.00 for a carry-on, $30.00 for the first checked bag, $40.00 for the second and $85.00 for the third. While most carriers don't charge for the 1st international bound checked bag, Spirit charges $35.00 for the carry on, $30.00 for the first checked bag and $40.00 for the second. All airlines except Spirit also start charging fees for overweight luggage at 50-lbs, whereas Spirit starts at 41-lbs. And you'd better pay those fees online or you'll pay more at the airport.


Then comes Frontier Airlines which charges $25.00 for an oversized carry on bag.


FIRST CHECKED BAG:


No Cost: Jet Blue and Southwest
$20.00: Frontier Airlines
$25.00: Alaska Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, US Airway. United Airlines charges $25.00 but it depends on the destination.


SECOND CHECKED BAG:


No Cost:  Southwest
$25.00:  Alaska Air
$30.00:  Frontier
$35.00: American, Delta,  Hawaiian, United, US Airway
$40.00: Jet Blue


THIRD CHECKED BAG:


$75.00:  Alaska, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest
$100.00: Hawaiian
$125.00: Delta, United, US Airways
$150.00:  American


OVERWEIGHT BAGGAGE:


Can vary widely, but ranges from $75.00 all the way up to $200.00


You can also comparison shop on fees charged for:


Credit card breaks, Menu options, Seating, Priority boarding, Entertainment, Military discounts. Children, Blanket and pillows, Loyalty programs, and pets.


Check it out here.


Looks like I'll be checking out Southwest more often. I crossed Spirit off my check list a long time ago. 


Be aware, that most airlines charge less for these fees if you pay for them online.