Some Airlines Boosting Fees During Peak Travel Times

Holiday travelers may suffer a bit of sticker shock when they go to check their luggage. That's because some airlines are hiking their baggage fees during peak travel periods.

Bloomberg Business reports that Spirit and Frontier airlines have both announced that they will charge an additional $2 to $10 per bag. Frontier said it will charge extra from November 19 to January 5, 2016, and will hike the fees again during peak spring and summer travel seasons.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) has written to all the major airline CEOs asking them to not charge more for bags during the holidays. "These increased surcharges fly in the face of declining fuel costs and appear focused on increasing profitability on the backs of American families," Nelson wrote.

But Frontier president Barry Biffle said in an interview with Bloomberg Business that when you compare overall ticket prices, including bag fees, his airline is still a bargain for travelers. "We encourage consumers to look at the total price. That's all that matters," he said.

Analysts say that the fees are a classic "supply and demand" issue. With more people wanting to fly, a company can charge more because the demand is high.

And while legacy carriers don't add to the baggage fee, they often do charge more for normal fares when demand is high, according to airline executive-turned-consultant Jay Sorensen.

Frontier charges for both checked and carry-on bags under a formula that increases the fee the later a passenger pays it. It can be up to $30 for a bag carried into the cabin without paying the fee in advance.

Spirit's fee will climb $2 during the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel period, according to the report.

Paul Berry, a spokesman for Spirit, said that the airline's overall fares are still significantly lower than those on other carriers, even with the increased bag fees.

FMI: www.flyfrontier.com, www.spirit.com