$100 for a Carry-on Bag -- Ouch!
Spirit Airlines will start charging more than double what it currently does if passengers wait to pay for carry-on bags at the gate.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Delivered daily
Kiplinger Today
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more delivered daily. Smart money moves start here.
Sent five days a week
Kiplinger A Step Ahead
Get practical help to make better financial decisions in your everyday life, from spending to savings on top deals.
Delivered daily
Kiplinger Closing Bell
Get today's biggest financial and investing headlines delivered to your inbox every day the U.S. stock market is open.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Adviser Intel
Financial pros across the country share best practices and fresh tactics to preserve and grow your wealth.
Delivered weekly
Kiplinger Tax Tips
Trim your federal and state tax bills with practical tax-planning and tax-cutting strategies.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Retirement Tips
Your twice-a-week guide to planning and enjoying a financially secure and richly rewarding retirement
Sent bimonthly.
Kiplinger Adviser Angle
Insights for advisers, wealth managers and other financial professionals.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Investing Weekly
Your twice-a-week roundup of promising stocks, funds, companies and industries you should consider, ones you should avoid, and why.
Sent weekly for six weeks
Kiplinger Invest for Retirement
Your step-by-step six-part series on how to invest for retirement, from devising a successful strategy to exactly which investments to choose.
A few months ago I asked George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, what airlines don't charge for, considering many levy a fee on everything from seat selection to blankets and pillows. Among the things he listed that most airlines don't make travelers pay extra for was the use of overhead bins. Most -- but not all.
DOWNLOAD: The Kip Tips iPad App
Spirit Airlines, which currently charges $20 to $45 for carry-ons, recently announced that it will start charging a $100 carry-on bag fee November 6. Talk about a hefty fee.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Granted, only passengers who wait until the boarding gate to pay for bags that will be stored in an overhead bin will have to pay the steep fee, which Spirit says in a press release was "intentionally set high to deter costly delay-causing gate activity." But Spirit also will be raising carry-on fees for customers who pay prior to arriving at the gate. Starting November 6, the standard fee will be $35 (a $5 increase) for customers who pay for carry-ons when they book their flight or before check-in. Customers who pay for a carry-on at the check-in counter will be charged $50 (a $10 increase).
According to Airfarewatchdog.com's guide to airline fees, Spirit is one of only two airlines that charge for carry-on bags (Allegiant is the other). All the major airlines, other than Southwest and JetBlue, charge passengers for checking bags but give them a pass when they bring small luggage onto planes and stash it in the space above their heads.
Not only does Spirit charge for carry-ons, but also it levies fees on checked bags. And it charges a slew of other fees that can reach as high as $125. Its base fares are super cheap, though (as low as $9 for Fare Club members). But you'll end up paying as much as you would to fly on a major airline if you don't do enough advance planning to avoid extra charges when flying on Spirit.
Share your thoughts on Spirit's $100 carry-on fee -- and airline fees, in general -- in the comments box below.
-
How Much It Costs to Host a Super Bowl Party in 2026Hosting a Super Bowl party in 2026 could cost you. Here's a breakdown of food, drink and entertainment costs — plus ways to save.
-
3 Reasons to Use a 5-Year CD As You Approach RetirementA five-year CD can help you reach other milestones as you approach retirement.
-
Your Adult Kids Are Doing Fine. Is It Time To Spend Some of Their Inheritance?If your kids are successful, do they need an inheritance? Ask yourself these four questions before passing down another dollar.
-
Why It's Worth Booking a Winter VacationTravel Smart In the early months of the year, travel demand dips — and so do prices.
-
5 Ways to Save on a Trip to the 2026 Olympics in ItalyA guide to going to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics without breaking the bank.
-
The Best (and Worst) Airlines for Flight Delays and CancellationsWhich airlines should you book and which should you avoid if you want to make it to your destination on time?
-
Four Luxury Spa Resorts for Well-Heeled TravelersWe hand-picked these U.S. luxury spa resorts for their serenity, amenities and dedication to the comfort of older travelers.
-
Child-Free Cruises Perfect For Your Retirement CelebrationHow to find a bespoke ocean or river vacation for adults. Many of these options are smaller, charming river cruises, expeditions, or niche experiences.
-
Noctourism: The New Travel Trend For Your Next Trip"Noctourism" is a new trend of building travel and vacations around events and plans that take place at night. Take a look at some inspiring noctourism ideas.
-
My Husband and I Retired at 67 With $3.2 Million, But He's Frugal About Travel. How Can I Convince Him to Loosen Up?We asked financial planning experts for advice.
-
Cruise Lines Sue to Block Hawaii’s New Climate Tourism TaxState Tax Your vacation to the Aloha State could come at a higher price tag next year. Here’s why.
