Airline Bag Fees Hit $400

At least for an overweight international bag on some airlines
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 20, 2011 12:46 PM CDT
Airline Bag Fees Hit $400
A sign is seen at an U.S. Airways check in at the Philadelphia International Airport Monday, June 13, 2011, in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

How crazy have airline baggage fees gotten? Well, checking an overweight (that's a 71- to 100-pound) bag will now cost you a whopping $400 on most Continental Airlines international flights. And Continental isn’t alone either, according to a survey of major carriers by USA Today; United Airlines also charges $400 for such a bag on any flights to other continents, and American Airlines charges $450 if that bag is headed to Asia.

Even checking your first standard-size bag is getting expensive, with some airlines charging as much as $43. Sprint Airlines even charges for carry-on bags, to the tune of $30 to $40 each. Other fees abound as well; Delta Air Lines and United charge $250 to change an international ticket, for example. Even supposedly "free" frequent-flier tickets now often come with booking fees; flying US Airways for free will cost you up to $90. (More airline fees stories.)

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