Spirit To Start Charging Up To $100 For Some Carry-On Bags

Spirit Airlines continues to demonstrate why Consumerist readers nominated the bottom-dollar carrier for the Worst Company In America 2012 tournament. The airline, only one of two U.S. carriers to charge for carry-on bags, has announced it will be jacking up its baggage fees, meaning some people could end up paying $100 per carry-on.

The AP reports that starting in November, Spirit will raise the fee for carry-on bags (i.e., bags that need to go into the overhead bin) paid for at the ticket counter from $45 to $100.

If you’d rather not deal with a Spirit staffer and choose to pay at an airport kiosk, that price is going up to $50 from its current level of $40.

Checking your bag will also cost $8-10 more if you pay at the airport. It will only be $2-5 extra if you pay at home.

According to Spirit’s earnings report for the first quarter of 2012, it is now earning $103.36 in non-ticket revenue for each customer who travels round-trip on the airline.

We’re waiting to see how CEO Ben Baldanza spins these fee increases into his laughable line about Spirit being the “most consumer-friendly airline.”

Spirit Airlines raising carry-on bag fee to $100 [SFgate.com]

Thanks to Chuck for the tip!

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.