The Friedman Files

United will now charge passengers $50 for their second checked bag.   That means checking 2 bags on United on a round trip flight will cost you $130 dollars.   Delta is already charging $50 for a second bag (but they’ll let you check the first one for free). 

So, with two of their biggest competitors at the $50 mark, will American airlines match that fee?  Here’s what AA spokeswoman Andrea Huguely tells me:

“We’ve not made a change to our bag fee.  As you are aware I cannot discuss what may or may not happen in the future, but as always, we do keep a close eye on the market.”

My guess is we’ll see $50 at AA soon.  Airlines love these fees because they’re money makers in two ways: they bring in extra cash, and they encourage people to pack less, making airplanes lighter and using less fuel.