JetBlue has added Uber-style surge pricing to its baggage fees and will now charge more if you want to check a case during busy periods, including over the summer months, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
The loss-making carrier has billed the addition of peak bag pricing as an attempt to return to profitability while covering the cost of increased wages and higher fuel costs.
This is the second time in just a matter of weeks that JetBlue has increased its baggage fees as the New York-based carrier conjures up new ancillary revenue streams with the recent introduction of ‘preferred’ seating charges in Economy.
The new bag fees went into effect on March 22, which will see JetBlue charge more for you to check our luggage depending on whether you are flying during a peak or off-peak, as well as if you purchase your checked luggage more than 24 hours in advance of your flight.
Standard bag fees for the first checked bag start at $35 for flights within the United States, Latin America, Caribbean and Canada if booked more than 24 hours in advance but rise to $40 for travel during peak periods.
Baggage fees rise by $10 if booked within 24 hours of travel to $45 for an off-peak flight and $50 during peak travel dates.
Bag fees for transatlantic flights are, however, substantially higher, starting at $60 for off-peak dates and $65 during peak periods. If you book your luggage within 24 hours, fees rise to $70 and $75, respectively.
JetBlue considers peak travel periods as follows:
- April 11 to April 29, 2024
- June 20 to September 3, 2024
- November 21 to December 2, 2024
- December 19, 2024 to January 6, 2025
- February 13 to February 24, 2025
- April 3 to April 28, 2025
These are the peak travel periods up to April 28, 2025, and it appears that JetBlue will adjust the peak travel periods based on when key holidays fall in different years.
There are, however, a number of ways to reduce or eliminate check baggage fees, including buying an upgraded ‘Blue Plus’ fare, traveling in JetBlue’s Mint Business Class cabin or booking with a JetBlue co-branded credit card.
For example, Blue Plus fares include the first checked bag for free whether you are traveling peak or off-peak. The same applies to JetBlue co-branded credit card holders, although a second checked bag can still cost from $50 to $115 for transatlantic flights during peak periods when booked within 24 hours.
Elite members of JetBlue’s Mosaic frequent flyer program, as well as Mint Business Class passengers, will continue to have their first and second bags included for free, although Mosaic members are weight restricted to 70 lbs per bag on domestic, Latin America, Caribbean and Canada flights.
