Before you check bags, check your airline's baggage policy

Before you take your next flight, check the baggage policy of your airline. Recent changes could cost you if you don't know the rules.

United has announced that it will begin charging $25 each way to check a second bag. The fee goes into effect May 5 and applies to those who purchase nonrefundable domes-tic economy tickets. The fee will not apply to elite Mileage Plus members, and because business travelers rarely check two bags, the policy will hit leisure travelers the hardest.

United is not the only airline making baggage-policy changes. Spirit has been charging $5 each way for checked bags and will increase the fee Wednesday. Passengers who re-serve checked luggage online will pay $10 each way per bag, and those who do not will be charged $20 per bag each way. Spirit describes the fee as environmentally friendly because the aircraft will be lighter and use less fuel if fewer bags are checked.

Southwest long had offered three free checked bags, but, in late January, it began charging for a third checked bag. People have complained about the fee, but at $25 each way it is what other carriers charge.

These days there are few blankets and pillows, and the magazine racks are empty, be-cause every bit of weight eats fuel.

This is just the latest in a long line of fees such as charges of $3 to $5 for snacks and $2 for curbside check-in. European airlines Ryanair and EasyJet have been charging fees for all checked luggage, all drinks and for using a credit card to buy tickets. New U.S. dis-counter Skybus takes the same approach. There is no free checked luggage, and there is a charge for beverages, snacks, meals, pillows and blankets. You cannot bring food or drink onboard unless you require items that are not for sale on board such as baby food, diabetic meals or kosher meals.

We can't really blame airlines such as United for trying to generate extra revenue. They do have increased costs because of fuel prices, labor and new aircraft, and they have been unsuccessful at getting fare increases to stick. With round-trip coast-to-coast airfares available for $198 during sales, the legacy airlines are looking to increase their revenue in other ways.

We don't foresee United adding its luggage fee on international flights, because there are too many players.

Whether this fee will stick depends on the other major U.S. airlines. If they don't match, there is a chance the fee will disappear. However, because United is projecting that it will earn an extra $100 million, there is a good chance this fee will spread.

If you pack lighter, you won't be bothered by this fee. If you are accustomed to checking two bags, get smart and find a bag to check that meets airline requirements and an-other that meets the carry-on requirements.

(Tom Parsons is publisher of Bestfares.com: www.bestfares.com)