Travelers are Shipping Their Discount Luggage to Save on Fees

SPOKANE -- It wasn't too long ago that the cost of an airline ticket covered everything the weary travel could want: food, drinks and even the bags. Now more and more airlines are charging for checked discount luggage.

Industry giant and trend-setter United Airlines has announced it is going to charge its passengers an extra $15 for the first bag checked. Another major carrier, Delta, has hiked its fee to $50 for a second checked bag, which has many potential passengers looking for alternatives. They are turning to shipping their luggage to their destination ahead of them.

At a UPS store in Spokane, Washington business is up noticeably because travelers are packing their bags ahead of time. The increased luggage fees aren't flying with with many passengers, including Delores Biggs.

"That $25 for your second suitcase, or first suitcase, that is just ridiculous, I'd rather walk," said Biggs.

Nancy Hernetiaux, an employee at the South Hill UPS store in Spokane, says many more customers are bringing their luggage because they are over 50 pounds and they don't want to pay the high cost.

"Business is up at least 25%," said Hernetiaux.

The cost savings are noticeable. For example, if you ship your luggage Monday in a box weighing 50 pounds it would cost you $34.99. That's cheaper than the $50 it would cost you to fly with a second bag on Delta and potentially other airlines.

Here's a brief overview of luggage fees:

Alaska Air charges $25 for a second bag, so does United.

Northwest charges $15 for a first bag and $25 for a second.

Delta charges $50 for a second.

Southwest doesn't charge until the third bag and for that they charge $25.