After United Airlines Northwest Airlines Announced Baggage Fees

In June, Chicago-based United Airlines began charging $15 each way for the first piece of checked luggage and $25 for the second piece accompanying tickets bought June 13 or later for travel on or after Aug. 18. Fees for additional luggage, overweight bags or specially handled items ranges from $100 to $250.

The fees apply to customers traveling in the U.S. or to or from Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Northwest Airlines announced baggage fees accompanying tickets purchased on or after July 10 for travel on or after Aug. 28. Each Northwest customer pays $15 each way for the first piece of checked luggage, $25 for the second and $100 for each additional piece.

Most recently, Continental Airlines implemented a $15 charge for the first checked bag for tickets purchased on or after Sept. 5 for travel on or after Oct. 7.

Differing fees and policies among airlines also are leading travelers to research more before buying tickets. Even for travel agents, however, it's difficult to keep up with the variables among airlines, Sobolewski said.

"It's slowly snowballing," Sobolewski said. "Every day, it seems we get something different."