Is that low airfare really a good bargain, or is it concealing add-on fees that will nickel-and-dime you for carrying a bag on board, being served a cup of coffee or water in-flight or requesting a blanket or pillow? Which airlines hit your wallet the hardest when you check a bag or need to change your flight? Which ones still offer free food? Bankrate has combed the websites of major U.S. airlines to help you compare fees and determine which carrier really offers the best deal for you.

Select airline fees or perks:
  • Luggage fees
  • Seating
  • Military discounts
  • Loyalty program
  • Credit card breaks
  • Priority boarding
  • Children
  • Pets
  • Menu options
  • Entertainment
  • Blanket & pillow
  • Change ticket fees
  • Checked bags within U.S.

    1st bag $25
    2nd bag $35
    3rd bag $150

    Checked bags (international)

    1st bag Free ($25 to Canada or Caribbean)
    2nd bag $35-$100
    3rd bag $75-$285

    Overweight bag

    51-70 lbs. $100

    Oversized bag

    63-80 inches $200

    United

    Checked bags within U.S.

    1st bag $25*
    2nd bag $35
    3rd bag $150

    Checked bags (international)

    1st bag Free* ($25 to Canada and the Caribbean)
    2nd bag Free-$100
    3rd bag $150-$200

    Overweight bag

    51-70 lbs. $100

    Oversized bag

    63-115 inches $200

    *Customers must search for baggage fees by destination. These fees reflect the results of searches on popular destinations. Baggage subscription: Check up to 2 free bags per flight for a year for $349.

    Southwest Airlines

    Checked bags within U.S.

    1st bag Free
    2nd bag Free
    3rd bag $75

    Checked bags (international)

    1st bag Free
    2nd bag Free
    3rd bag $75

    Overweight bag

    51-100 lbs. $75

    Oversized bag

    63-80 inches $75
    American Airlines

    Checked bags within U.S.

    1st bag $25
    2nd bag $35
    3rd bag $150

    Checked bags (international)

    1st bag Free-$25
    2nd bag Free-$100
    3rd bag $85-$200

    Overweight bag

    51-70 lbs. $100

    Oversized bag

    Larger than 62 inches $200

    Allegiant Air

    Checked bags within U.S.*

    Carry-on bag $15-25
    1st bag $12-35
    2nd bag $12-35
    3rd bag $12-35

    Checked bags (international)

    No international service

    Overweight bag

    41-70 lbs. $50
    71-100 lbs. $75

    Oversized bag

    80+ inches $75

    *When paid at online booking. Fees can be much higher when paying for bags at online check-in or at the airport

    jetBlue

    Checked bags within U.S.

    1st bag $20-$25
    2nd bag $35
    3rd bag $100

    Checked bags (international)*

    1st bag Free-$25
    2nd bag $35
    3rd bag $100

    Overweight bag

    51-70 lbs. $100

    Oversized bag

    63-80 inches $100

    *Some destinations limited to 2 bags.

    Alaska Airlines

    Checked bags within U.S.

    1st bag Free-$25
    2nd bag Free-$25
    3rd bag Free-$75

    Checked bags (international)

    1st bag Free-$25
    2nd bag Free-$25
    3rd bag $75

    Overweight bag

    51-100 lbs. $75

    Oversized bag

    63-115 inches $75
    Spirit Airlines

    Checked bags within U.S.*

    Carry-on bag $35
    1st bag $30
    2nd bag $40
    3rd bag $85

    Checked bags (international)*

    Carry-on bag $35
    1st bag $30
    2nd bag** $40
    3rd bag** $85

    Overweight bag

    41-50 lbs. $25
    51-70 lbs. $50

    Oversized bag

    63-80 inches $100

    *When paid at online booking. Fees can be much higher when paying for bags at online check-in or at the airport. Membership to $9 Fare Club, costing $59.95 in the first year, provides access to discounted fares and a $9 discount per bag.

    **Only 1 checked item accepted for international flights; some flights allow additional bags on first come, first served basis.

    Frontier Airlines

    Checked bags within U.S.*

    Carry-on $30-$35
    1st bag $25-$30
    2nd bag $30-$40
    3rd bag $75

    Checked bags (international)*

    Carry-on $30-$35
    1st bag $25-$30
    2nd bag $30-$40
    3rd bag $75

    Overweight bag

    51-100 lbs. $75

    Oversized bag

    63-110 inches $75

    *When paid at online booking. Fees can be much higher when paying for bags at online check-in or at the airport.

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Checked bags within U.S.

    North America-Hawaii routes
    1st bag $25
    2nd bag $35
    3rd bag $50-$100*

    Checked bags (international)

    For flights starting in Hawaii
    1st bag Free
    2nd bag Free
    3rd bag $150

    Overweight bag

    Hawaii-North America routes
    51-70 lbs. $50

    Oversized bag

    Hawaii-North America routes
    62-80 inches $100

    *3rd bag is $50 for travel between islands.

    • Preferred seats: Typically aisle/window near front, bulkheads, exit rows.
    • Comfort seating: May include extra legroom, seat location, more recline.
    Delta
    Preferred seats Fees vary per flight
    Comfort seating Available when upgrading to Delta Comfort+ fare option, bundled with other perks

    United Airlines

    Preferred seats Available bundled with extra legroom under 1 fee called Economy Plus; prices shown at booking
    Comfort seating United offers preferred seats and extra legroom under a fee called Economy Plus
    Southwest Airlines
    Preferred seats Not found on website
    Comfort seating Not found on website
    American Airlines
    Preferred seats $4-$139
    Comfort seating Seat toward front, 6 inches additional legroom; also group 1 boarding $20-$195

    Allegiant Air

    Preferred seats Up to $80 to select seat at time of reservation. An additional $4-$12 for earlier boarding.
    Comfort seating “Giant seats” and those with “legroom+” are available for purchase on some flights.
    jetBlue
    Preferred seats Not found on website
    Comfort seating JetBlue offers extra legroom bundled with early boarding under fee called Even More Space, starting at $10

    Alaska Airlines

    Preferred seats “Preferred Plus” seating with early boarding and more legroom, including in the exit rows, is available for $15-$50
    Comfort seating “Preferred Plus” seating with early boarding and more legroom, including in the exit rows, is available for $15-$50
    Spirit Airlines
    Preferred seats Choose your own seat instead of airline-assigned seat (prices vary from $1 to $50)
    Comfort seating Big seats in front for $12-$199 when bought in advance
    Frontier Airlines
    Preferred seats Choose your own seat for $6 or more
    Comfort seating Seats with extra legroom for $20 or more

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Preferred seats Includes extra legroom, priority boarding for $50 (for North America routes)
    Comfort seating Available bundled with priority boarding, TV for $70-$125 (for North America routes)
  • Delta
    Personal travel 2 bags free
    Active-duty travel 4 bags free
    Dependents’ bags on travel orders 4 bags free

    United Airlines

    Personal travel 3 bags free
    Official business travel 4 bags free
    Dependents’ bags on travel orders 4 bags free
    Southwest Airlines
    Active-duty travel All bags free
    American Airlines
    Personal travel 3 bags free
    Active-duty travel 5 bags free
    Dependents’ bags on travel orders 5 bags free
    For uniformed military First-class boarding

    Allegiant Air

    Active-duty travel 1 carry-on and 3 checked bags free
    jetBlue
    Personal travel 2 bags free
    Active-duty travel 5 bags free
    Dependents’ bags on travel orders 5 bags free

    Alaska Airlines

    For active-duty military 5 bags free
    Dependents’ bags on travel orders 5 bags free
    Spirit Airlines
    Not offered
    Frontier Airlines
    None found on website

    Hawaiian Airlines

    For personal travel 2 bags free
    For travel on orders 4 bags free
    Dependents’ bags on travel orders 4 bags free
  • For high-mileage fliers; fee discounts typically start at 25,000 miles a year.

    Delta

    SkyMiles

    Free preferred seats, checked bags
    Free or discounted comfort seating
    Priority check-in, boarding; priority security line access at 50,000 miles
    No same-day change fee at 50,000 miles

    United Airlines

    MileagePlus

    1-3 free bags
    Free preferred seats, comfort seating
    Priority check-in, security, boarding, baggage handling
    Discounted or waived same-day change fee
    Southwest Airlines

    Rapid Rewards

    Priority check-in and security at 25 flights a year
    Free drink coupons
    Free Wi-Fi at 50 flights a year
    American Airlines

    AAdvantage Emerald Card

    1-3 free bags
    Free preferred seats, comfort seating, priority check-in and boarding
    Free food and beverage and complimentary same-day flight changes at 100,000 miles

    Allegiant Air

    Not offered
    jetBlue

    TrueBlue

    No breaks found on website

    Mosaic (for higher-mileage fliers)

    2 bags free and no change fees
    Priority security and boarding; use points to reserve comfort seating

    Alaska Airlines

    MVP Program

    2 free bags
    Priority check-in, security, boarding
    Free or discounted seating upgrades
    Free premium drink, no change fee, and express security at higher mileage levels
    Spirit Airlines

    FREE SPIRIT

    No breaks on fees found on website
    Frontier Airlines

    EarlyReturns

    Free carry-on bag
    Free comfort seating near front
    Priority check-in, security and boarding
    Free same-day standby ticket changes

    Hawaiian Airlines

    HawaiianMiles

    2-3 free bags
    More seats available at booking
    Priority check-in, security, baggage handling and boarding
    Free TV/movie package, lounge access
  • Delta
    1st bag free, also for companions
    Priority boarding
    20% off food, drinks, entertainment
    Discounts on Sky Club

    United Airlines

    1st bag free, also for 1 companion
    Priority boarding
    2 annual passes for United Club
    Southwest Airlines
    None found on website
    American Airlines
    1st bag free, also for 4 companions
    Priority boarding, discounts on in-flight food, drinks and headsets

    Allegiant Air

    No co-branded credit card found
    jetBlue
    Half off movies, food and cocktails

    Alaska Airlines

    1st bag free, also for up to 6 companions
    Spirit Airlines
    Priority boarding at many airports
    Frontier Airlines
    None found on website

    Hawaiian Airlines

    1st bag free for primary cardholder
  • Delta
    Priority boarding $15

    United Airlines

    Priority boarding Includes priority check-in, security lines; prices shown at booking, starting at $15
    Southwest Airlines
    Priority boarding Upgraded boarding for $30-$40; with EarlyBird Check-In, you are assigned boarding positions ahead of general boarding for $12.50
    American Airlines
    Priority boarding $15-$22

    Allegiant Air

    Priority boarding $4-$12
    jetBlue
    Priority boarding JetBlue offers early boarding bundled with extra legroom for Even More Space seats, starting at $10

    Alaska Airlines

    Priority boarding Only found for high-mileage fliers on website
    Spirit Airlines
    Priority boarding “Shortcut boarding” for $5.99
    Frontier Airlines
    Priority boarding Available to loyalty members at the highest level and to any passenger who pays the carry-on bag fee

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Priority boarding Available for frequent flier club members and those buying preferred seats or comfort seats
  • Delta
    Children traveling alone: $150

    United Airlines

    Children traveling alone: $150
    Southwest Airlines
    Children traveling alone: $50 each way
    American Airlines
    Children traveling alone: $150

    Allegiant Air

    Not offered
    jetBlue
    Children traveling alone: $100

    Alaska Airlines

    Children traveling alone: $25-$50; no fee for children with high mileage levels
    Spirit Airlines
    Children traveling alone: $100, includes snack and drink
    Frontier Airlines
    Children traveling alone: $100, includes snack and drink

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Children traveling alone: $100 ($35 for flights within Hawaii)
    • Cabin pet: Airlines often require pet travel to be booked by phone, which sometimes carries another fee
    Delta
    Checked pets $200
    Cargo pets $193-$1,481
    Cabin pets $125

    United Airlines

    Checked pets Not offered
    Cargo pets $75-$1,889 (U.S., Puerto Rico)
    Cabin pets $125
    Southwest Airlines
    Checked pets Not offered
    Cargo pets Not offered
    Cabin pets $95
    American Airlines
    Checked pets $200
    Cargo pets Not offered
    Cabin pets $125

    Allegiant Air

    Checked/cargo pets Not found on website
    Cabin pets $100
    jetBlue
    Checked/cargo pets Not found on website
    Cabin pets $100

    Alaska Airlines

    Checked pets $100
    Cabin pets $100
    Spirit Airlines
    Checked/cargo pets Not offered
    Cabin pets $110
    Frontier Airlines
    Checked/cargo pets Not offered
    Cabin pets $75

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Checked pets $225 ($60 within Hawaii)
    Cabin pets $175 ($35 within Hawaii)
  • Delta

    Cheapest snack to buy

    Pringles $3.49

    Drinks

    Beer $6-$7
    Wine, liquor $8

    Standout menu item*

    2 roast beef sliders on pretzel rolls, with chips and a chocolate caramel $9.99

    United

    Cheapest snack to buy

    Pringles, hummus and pita, brownie brittle, gummy bears, popcorn, Chex Mix $3.99

    Drinks

    Beer Prices not found on website

    Standout menu item*

    Artisan cheese plate, with crackers, fruit spread, grapes and chocolate $8.99
    Southwest Airlines

    Cheapest snack to buy

    No food for purchase

    Drinks

    Beer, wine, liquor $5

    Standout menu item*

    Not available
    American Airlines

    Cheapest snack to buy

    Goldfish cheddar and pretzel mix-up $2

    Drinks

    Beer, wine, liquor Prices not given on website

    Standout menu item*

    Turkey and chutney sandwich $9.99

    Allegiant Air

    Cheapest snack to buy

    Snacks include Pringles, M&Ms, pretzels Individual snack prices not given

    Drinks

    Water, soft drinks, beer, wine, liquor $2-$7 (price range listed for all food and drinks)

    Standout menu item*

    Deli snack pack: includes pretzels, Gouda dip, trail mix, beef stick Individual snack prices not given
    jetBlue

    Cheapest snack to buy

    Various snacks Free

    Drinks

    Beer, wine, liquor $6-$9

    Standout menu item*

    Gluten-free, vegan snack box: hummus, olives, snack bar, multigrain crackers, roasted beans $7

    Alaska Airlines

    Cheapest snack to buy

    Snack packs $6

    Drinks

    Beer, liquor $6
    Wine, premium beer and liquor $7

    Standout menu item*

    Chicken apple sausage skillet $7
    Spirit Airlines

    Cheapest snack to buy

    Pringles, muffin $2.50

    Drinks

    Coffee $2
    Water, soft drinks $3
    Beer, wine, liquor, premixed drinks $7-$8

    Standout menu item*

    Cup of chicken-flavored noodles $3.50
    Frontier Airlines

    Cheapest snack to buy

    Chex Mix, gummy bears, trail mix, beef jerky, other snacks Prices not given on website

    Drinks

    Coffee, water, soft drinks Prices not given on website
    Beer, wine, liquor Prices not given on website

    Standout menu item*

    Build Your Own Snack Pack of 4 snacks Prices not given on website

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Cheapest snack to buy

    A wide variety of food and beverages Free

    Drinks

    Beer, wine, liquor $6.50-$12

    Standout menu item*

    Sweet-and-sour chicken with salad and coconut macaroon cookie Free

    *Standout menu item (availability varies by routes, flight times).

  • Delta

    Movie options and headset

    Movie

    TV episode

    Streaming, seat-back and overhead movies offered

    $6

    $1

    Headset $2

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    Day pass $16
    Monthly pass $49.95
    Annual pass $538.95

    United

    Movie options and headset

    DirecTV $4.99-$7.99
    Rent movies Use miles
    Headset Free

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    Per hour $1-$2.50
    Per flight $3.99-$29.95
    Southwest Airlines

    Movie options and headset

    Streaming movie $5
    Headset Not offered

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    In-flight Wi-Fi $8
    American Airlines

    Movie options and headset

    Seatback, streaming movies offered $7-$8
    Earbuds $5

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    Day pass $16
    Monthly pass $49.95

    Allegiant Air

    No in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi offered
    jetBlue

    Movie options and headset

    Seatback movies $5
    Headset $5

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    Basic Web browsing Free
    High-bandwidth access $9 per hour

    Alaska Airlines

    Movie options and headset

    Reserve an airline hand-held entertainment device $8-$10
    Headset comes with reserved entertainment player

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    Starting price $1.95+
    One-hour pass $5
    Day pass $16
    Monthly pass $49.95
    Spirit Airlines

    Movie options and headset

    Not offered

    Headset

    Not found on website

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    Not offered
    Frontier Airlines

    Movie options and headset

    In-flight entertainment Not offered
    Headset info not found on website

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    Not offered

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Movie options and headset

    Seatback movie $7.99
    Unlimited TV, music $7.99
    Unlimited children’s programming $5.99
    Rent tablet with movies, TV, games $15-$17

    Headset

    Earbuds $4

    In-flight Wi-Fi

    Not offered
  • Delta
    Blanket and pillow Available upon request, when available

    United Airlines

    Blanket and pillow Available on international flights; not specified whether there is a cost
    Southwest Airlines
    Blanket and pillow Not found on website
    American Airlines
    Blanket and pillow Not found on website

    Allegiant Air

    Blanket and pillow Not found on website
    jetBlue
    Blanket and pillow $5-$6, sold separately

    Alaska Airlines

    Blanket and pillow Not offered
    Spirit Airlines
    Blanket and pillow Not found on website
    Frontier Airlines
    Blanket and pillow Not found on website

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Pillow, blanket included with comfort seat bundle
    • For tickets that allow changes, fees vary based on fares
    Delta
    Change fee $200
    Same-day change fee $50

    United Airlines

    Change fee $200
    Same-day change fee (for Loyalty Club members in lower mileage categories) $75
    Southwest Airlines
    Change fee Free
    American Airlines
    Change fee $200
    Same-day change fee $75-$150

    Allegiant Air

    Change fee $75 per flight segment; changes must be made at least 1 week before departure
    jetBlue
    Change fee $60-$150
    Same-day change fee $50

    Alaska Airlines

    Change fee (at least 60 days before departure) Free
    Change fee (less than 60 days to departure) $125
    Same-day change fee $25
    Spirit Airlines
    Change fee (online) $110
    Change fee (through reservations or at the airport) $120
    Frontier Airlines
    Change fee $99

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Change fee (for flights between islands) $30
    Change fee (for other North America flights) $200
Sorry, please select one category at a time.

Notes: All fees are for one way in coach/lower-priced seats and for destinations within the U.S., unless otherwise indicated. At some airlines, fees may be waived for a full fare or for other exceptions, such as being a member of loyalty programs or purchasing a higher-cost fare.