Continental Airlines Adopts First Bag Fee - $15

One by one, the “other shoes” continue to drop across the industry as airlines adopt assorted charges for checking luggage. Continental Airlines is one of the latest to announce the revenue-generating move. CO (that’s the carrier’s code) will begin charging $15 to check the first bag in the belly of your flight. The move is effective immediately for Economy-Class tickets purchased for destinations within the United States, and between the U.S. and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada – this for travel starting on or after October 7.

There are exceptions to the rule. Flyers who are exempt include military personnel and their families traveling on official orders, EliteAccess customers and those flyers seated in First, or BusinessFirst. Also off the hook are OnePass Elite and SkyTeam Elite members, or flyers traveling full-fare economy. That means “Y” class.

Continental says its policy for carry-ons remains unchanged.

A Cheapflights observation: now that many airlines are imposing checked baggage fees, more travelers are packing light and carrying on a piece of luggage. Airlines know this, and they’re cracking down on just how large that luggage can be. Make sure your bag fits in the sizing-frame at the ticket counter or gate. Otherwise, they’ll make you check it. It happened to this reporter on a recent flight from London, England. On the trip over, from Atlanta to Heathrow, the bag wasn’t full of goodies for grandkids. On the way back, it was bulging with candy, toys, and such. What I could carry on in one direction, I couldn’t in the other. The carrier made me check the bag.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler