Spirit Air Raises Luggage Fees

The first American carrier to charge for luggage, Spirit Air, today announced they are raising the fees for all checked luggage on their flights. If you reserve your luggage allotment online, the fee will increase to $10 per checked bag from the $5 they're currently charging, or $20 per checked bag if you don't pay until you arrive at the airport. This change will be effective February 20.

Spirit says the rising cost of fuel is, forgive me, fueling this increase in baggage costs, which is probably mostly true, but it was sure made easier by United's announcement earlier this week.

Remember, when you elect to fly Spirit to a cruise, they are one of the lines which do not "interline" with other carriers. So if your flight is delayed or cancelled, they will not put you on another airline to get you to your port. So be sure to always allow extra time with this carrier, and to purchase trip insurance.