This handy chart of airline fees shows how costs compare on the major US carriers

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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.
- 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.
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 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
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 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.
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.
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 Preferred seats Not found on website Comfort seating Not found on website 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. 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 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 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) -
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 Active-duty travel All bags free 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 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 Not offered 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.
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 Rapid Rewards
Priority check-in and security at 25 flights a year Free drink coupons Free Wi-Fi at 50 flights a year 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 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 FREE SPIRIT
No breaks on fees found on website 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 -
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 None found on website 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 Half off movies, food and cocktails Alaska Airlines
1st bag free, also for up to 6 companions Priority boarding at many airports None found on website Hawaiian Airlines
1st bag free for primary cardholder -
Priority boarding $15 United Airlines
Priority boarding Includes priority check-in, security lines; prices shown at booking, starting at $15 Priority boarding Upgraded boarding for $30-$40; with EarlyBird Check-In, you are assigned boarding positions ahead of general boarding for $12.50 Priority boarding $15-$22 Allegiant Air
Priority boarding $4-$12 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 Priority boarding “Shortcut boarding” for $5.99 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 -
Children traveling alone: $150 United Airlines
Children traveling alone: $150 Children traveling alone: $50 each way Children traveling alone: $150 Allegiant Air
Not offered Children traveling alone: $100 Alaska Airlines
Children traveling alone: $25-$50; no fee for children with high mileage levels Children traveling alone: $100, includes snack and drink 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
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 Checked pets Not offered Cargo pets Not offered Cabin pets $95 Checked pets $200 Cargo pets Not offered Cabin pets $125 Allegiant Air
Checked/cargo pets Not found on website Cabin pets $100 Checked/cargo pets Not found on website Cabin pets $100 Alaska Airlines
Checked pets $100 Cabin pets $100 Checked/cargo pets Not offered Cabin pets $110 Checked/cargo pets Not offered Cabin pets $75 Hawaiian Airlines
Checked pets $225 ($60 within Hawaii) Cabin pets $175 ($35 within Hawaii) -
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 Cheapest snack to buy
No food for purchase Drinks
Beer, wine, liquor $5 Standout menu item*
Not available 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 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 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 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).
-
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 Movie options and headset
Streaming movie $5 Headset Not offered In-flight Wi-Fi
In-flight Wi-Fi $8 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 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 Movie options and headset
Not offered Headset
Not found on website In-flight Wi-Fi
Not offered 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 -
Blanket and pillow Available upon request, when available United Airlines
Blanket and pillow Available on international flights; not specified whether there is a cost Blanket and pillow Not found on website Blanket and pillow Not found on website Allegiant Air
Blanket and pillow Not found on website Blanket and pillow $5-$6, sold separately Alaska Airlines
Blanket and pillow Not offered Blanket and pillow Not found on website 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
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 Change fee Free 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 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 Change fee (online) $110 Change fee (through reservations or at the airport) $120 Change fee $99 Hawaiian Airlines
Change fee (for flights between islands) $30 Change fee (for other North America flights) $200
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.
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