We knew this was coming.
Though U.S. airlines swear they're in competition, they actually tend to raise baggage fees in a group.
Two weeks ago, we saw bag fee increases from American Airlines and United Airlines, and we predicted Delta Air Lines would soon join its so-called rivals.
We should have placed a bet on it. Delta just jacked up its rates, too.
As of March 5, 2024, prices for the first checked bag with Delta went from $30 to $35 (a 17% increase), and from $40 to $45 for the second bag (a 13% increase).
The new prices were posted on Delta's checked baggage information page.
You'd think the other airlines would take this as an opportunity to offer consumers a better price. But, no. We've also seen recent bag fee hikes from Alaska Airlines and JetBlue.
The biggest U.S. airline that still offers free checked bags is Southwest Airlines, which gives travelers two checked bags for free, just like your grandparents used to get when they flew any airline at all.
U.S. airlines move in a pack when it comes to many things, but particularly when it comes to depleting your savings.