United Airlines has decided that $25 was too generous a price to check your second bag with their airline, and have announced that they’ll be bumping the fee up to $50.

Starting tomorrow, all tickets purchased for flights after Nov. 10 will be subject to the new fee. Members of the military traveling on orders, “Premier” frequent fliers, and first or business class customers will be exempt from the charge. Reuters says that United expects to increase its revenue from “merchandising efforts” (including baggage fees) by $700 million in 2009.

Meanwhile, airline stocks “mostly rose” as oil prices fell below $96 a barrel, after reaching as high as $147 over the summer, said the AP.

Airline shares rise on falling oil, upgrades [Forbes]
United Airlines doubles second-bag fee to $50 [Yahoo!] (Thanks, Liz!)
(Photo: Zonaphoto )

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