1. The fees for the marketing carrier of the first segment apply to the itinerary. But, the e-ticket receipt must also clearly disclose the baggage fees.

2. If the proper fee is $25 and the e-ticket receipt specifies $17, HA is justified in collecting $25, but the $8 difference is between HA and UA to sort out. The consumer need only pay the $17.

3. OP did the right thing here. Pay up. Fighting with low-level carrier personnel is fruitless.

4. Wasting time by calling in over $8 is also fruitless. Just send in a webform complaint, asking for the $8 refund. Wait a few business days and, if you do not see a refund: a) dispute $8 on your CC; and b) file a webform complaint with DOT.

HA counts on the fact that the vast majority of people won't waste time getting in a fight. And, they are correct. This sort of stuff takes about 2 minutes for the CC dispute and the same for DOT. Lengthy conversations with anybody you can speak with at an airport or on the phone are pointlless and simply eat your own time.