With fuel prices stabilizing, for the moment, many passengers are asking why a major US airline is raising its second-bag fees. Even though the price for fuel has dropped from a high of $147 per barrel to less than $96 per barrel in recent weeks, United has elected to raise their fees, anyway. A spokesperson for the airline says that it is because the airline is still paying prices that are more than 50 percent higher than they were last year.

The airline doubled their old $25 fee to a whopping $50 for a second checked bag. United has said that the fee will apply for tickets purchased Tuesday, for travel on or after November 10th . The fee will apply to flights to and from the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Not all passengers will share the burden equally. Travelers who are flying in Business or First class, as well as “Premier” frequent fliers will be exempted from the fees. US Military personnel will also be allowed to fly without the additional burden of higher second-bag checking fees. When asked about the pervasiveness of the fees, United announced that it believes that the fees will apply to only about 15 percent of passengers, or approximately 1 in 7.

On news of the increase, shares of United Airlines dropped by 5 cents to $11.31 per share. There is no word from the airline if their stockholders will be among the passengers paying excess baggage fees.

Learn more at: www.united.com