United Airlines Increasing Bag Fees Tomorrow, April 3

If you were thinking about booking a United Airlines flight soon, you should do it today. That’s because tickets booked starting tomorrow, April 3, 2026, will be subject to higher checked bag fees.

While there’s a silver lining for some people in this announcement, for those affected, it’s sure to be disappointing.

As airlines continue to wrestle with rising fuel costs, it was only a matter of time before ticket prices or baggage fees — or both — went up. Here’s what you should know about United’s new pricing.

United Follows JetBlue, Increases Checked Bag Fees

At the end of March, JetBlue announced an increase in bag fees. Fees rose by $4 to $9, depending on your situation and route.

Now, United is doing the same.

This move isn’t a total surprise. Airlines are trying to figure out how to compensate for rising fuel costs after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran and Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz. This bottleneck has limited fuel supplies worldwide, and airlines are looking for ways to offset costs.

For United flights purchased on or after April 3, 2026, you’ll pay more to check a bag on flights within the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Latin America. Notice that this new policy applies to the date you booked your ticket, not when you fly. The new costs are already showing on United’s website.

Fees for your first checked bag will increase by $10 — up from $35 in the U.S. and $40 on flights to Canada. The cost of a second checked bag will also increase by $10, while the cost of a third checked bag will increase by $50.

For those on long-haul trips, such as flights to Europe or Asia, checked bag fees aren’t going up — at least not yet.

United says that “customers in most markets will still enjoy a $5 discount if they prepay for their bags online 24 hours before their flight.”

How To Avoid Bag Fees Altogether

Those traveling in premium economy, business, or first class don’t pay for a first checked bag. This fee increase is unlikely to worry these passengers.

Additionally, active-duty military members and United elite members don’t pay to check a first bag, so they’ll only feel the increase if they go beyond the complimentary allowance.

For those of us without elite status and who aren’t in the military, the easiest way to avoid United’s checked bag fees is to hold a United Airlines credit card. Having one of these in your wallet can get you a free first checked bag, and you’ll avoid the fee increase.

Final Thoughts

Booking a flight today, rather than tomorrow, can help you avoid the new baggage fees United Airlines is imposing for tickets booked on or after April 3, 2026.

The cost of your first checked bag will go up by $10 on flights within the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Latin America.

In the announcement, United touted that this is “the first time in two years the airline has raised bag fees,” but that’s unlikely to be much consolation for customers forking out extra money.