US Airways will implement a $25 service fee for a second checked bag for most coach customers for all flights within the U.S. and to or from Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.
Under the new fee structure, US Airways also will charge $100 for each bag after the second bag.
The fee applies to tickets purchased on or after Feb. 26 for travel on or after May 5. Customers can pay the fee at an airport kiosk with a credit card or at the check-in counter with a credit card, check or cash. US Airways said it plans to make an online payment option available “at a later date.”
The airline said about 8% of its passengers check more than one bag.
The new fee matches United’s new $25 fee in most respects, although it applies to a broader range of flights. United’s fee applies only to flights within the U.S. and to or from Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. The new US Airways fee is also similar to United’s in that its premium and most-frequent flyers are exempt.
The fee will not apply to customers booked in first or business class, Dividend Miles Preferred members or Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members. Active military personnel (in uniform with ID), unaccompanied minors and passengers checking assistive devices also are exempt.
US Airways, like United, said it is adding the charge to help offset higher fuel costs.