Travelers booking fall and holiday flights face a $45 starting price for a first checked bag on the largest U.S. carriers when they prepay online, with penalties for waiting until the airport counter.
What each major airline lists now
American Airlines publishes a $45 online / $50 airport price for a first checked bag on Main Cabin tickets within the United States, with Basic Economy bags costing $5 more. Delta and United match the $45 prepaid first-bag fee on standard economy fares, and United adds $5 if you pay within 24 hours of departure.
Second bags generally cost $55 to $60 when prepaid. JetBlue varies slightly by peak travel dates, charging up to $49 for a first bag when bought more than a day ahead during busy periods.
Why this matters for Thanksgiving planning
Sunday, October 18, sits six weeks before Thanksgiving—when many families buy tickets and decide whether to ship gifts instead of checking them. A family of four checking one bag each way can add $360 in base bag fees before overweight charges.
Carry-on-only packing avoids the fee but runs into tighter overhead bins on full holiday flights. Measure bags at home; overweight penalties often start at $100.
Free bags you might already have
Airline credit cards, elite status, and active-duty military orders still waive fees on qualifying itineraries. If you opened a United, Delta, or American card primarily for free checked bags, verify the fare class—Basic Economy on American no longer includes elite bag waivers on tickets issued after May 18, 2026, per the carrier’s fee chart.
Southwest does not charge change fees but now lists $45 for a first checked bag on its published domestic fee tables, ending the era of two free checked bags for all fares.
How to pay less without switching airlines
Prepay bags when you check in online even if you bought the ticket months ago. United’s calculator shows the discount for payments made 24 hours or more before departure; showing up at the curb without prepaying triggers the higher tier.
Consider shipping bins through parcel carriers if you are carrying dense items like wine or books. Ground shipping can beat a second-bag fee, especially when return trips stack another $55 charge.
At the airport this week
Fee displays at kiosks should match the airline’s website, but screen captures help if an agent quotes a different number. Remember that bag fees are per person, each way—connecting itineraries may charge again if you leave the ticket counter between flights on separate tickets.
If TSA PreCheck lines are long, don’t let time pressure push you to skip weighing bags at home. Repacking at the counter delays everyone and still ends with a swipe of your card.