Money | American Airlines United Adopts $15 Checked-Bag Charge Carrier joins American; industry passing oil costs to consumer By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jun 12, 2008 11:02 AM CDT Copied American Airlines passengers checks in one piece of luggage at American Airlines counter at San Jose International Airport in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, May 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) United Airlines will follow rival American Airlines in charging $15 for a first checked bag. The new fee was announced today, 3 weeks after American set the precedent. United says the fee affects customers who buy tickets beginning tomorrow for domestic flights Aug. 18 or later. Also, the Chicago-based carrier is increasing the fee to check three or more bags, overweight bags, or items that require special handling to $125 from $100, or to $250 from $200, depending on the item. As of July 1, Southwest Airlines will be the only US carrier that permits two checked bags for free, notes an airline expert. Read These Next 11 people hurt in a "brutal act of violence" in Michigan. A parent's nightmare, in a white cardboard box. We knew Letterman would pipe up about Colbert eventually. A new book argues the Sacagawea legend is all wrong. Report an error