Skift
Another reason airlines are increasing bag fees may be to boost sign ups for their loyalty programs and co-branded credit cards. For example, United said travelers that own a United Chase credit card or are members of its MileagePlus program will still be able to check in a bag for free. American said AAdvantage status members and credit card holders can also check in their first bag for free. Jay Sorensen, the president of airline consulting firm IdeaWorksCompany, said bag fee waivers was one of the primary benefits of holding a co-branded credit card. “If you make bag fees more expensive, you are making the credit card more valuable to hold,” he said. “I think that a good portion of all of the headlines regarding American increasing their bag fees can also be seen as a promotion for taking the co-branded credit card.”
