These fees make Elite status more valuable for mileage redemption for relatives. Now, we have to weigh fare plus tax plus increased baggage fees into the miles vs. money equation. Here are my examples of this -

Flew my niece and nephew from IAH - EWR on my miles last year (25,000 each), and not only were their checked bags free, but they came out very early with the Elite Access tags. I'm assuming that was not an accident...

Flying another niece on the same route in March, but bought her ticket as co.com wanted 50,000 miles. So, she will have to pay to check her bags.