These Airlines Wish You Happy Holidays With Higher Luggage Fees

problem in the airport, tired man waiting in the terminal with luggage

Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines set to raise luggage fees ahead of busy holiday season.

Two American low-cost carriers are getting into the Grinch spirit this holiday season by raising fees in advance of the busy travel season. Both Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines have announced luggage rate hikes that will take effect during the peak travel periods at the end of this year.

In a note on their website, Frontier announced a moderate hike to luggage fees for flights between November 19, 2015 and January 5, 2016. Flyers will see an increase for carry-on bags to $35 for those paid online up to 24 hours before departure, $40 when paying at web check-in, or $45 when paying at the airport or the self-service kiosk. Flyers paying for a single checked bag will see prices rise by $5 when paying online up to 24 hours before departure, or $10 when paying via the call center, web check-in, or at the airport. All second checked bags will increase by $10.

In addition to the holiday season, Frontier is also increasing fares during peak seasons in 2016. The airline will install the same fee structure for flights between February 11 and April 4, 2016, as well as June 9 through August 16, 2016.

At Spirit Airlines, the increased bag fees will only be in effect on flights between December 16, 2015 and January 4, 2016. The Consumerist reports those flying with the airline will be subject to a $2 increase for the first checked bag each way. Other fees, including carry-on luggage fees, will remain unchanged. When asked about the fee increase, a spokesperson for Spirit Airlines told The Consumerist that the end of the year “… is a very high demand period for Spirit,” while suggesting flyers should “… pack a bit lighter.”

While the Frontier pricing structure is new, the baggage fee increase at Spirit is becoming a holiday tradition. In 2014, Fox News reported the airline instituted the same fee hike, with the airline justifying the move to “… make sure [Spirit] has enough room for everyone’s bags.”

[Photo: Getty Images]