Spirit Airlines hike carry-on, checked baggage fees

Travelers booking Spirit Airlines flights tickets this Thanksgiving season would now be required to pay more. The airline recently announced it will be increasing its fees on carry-on bags and checked baggage from November this year.

According to the airline, customers booking Spirit Airlines flights would now be charged $100 if they wait at the gate to pay for carry-on baggage. Earlier, the customers were charged $45. The hike on carry-on bags and checked baggage will be effective from November 6, 2012.

The airline stated that the fees on carry-on bags paid for during the time of booking will be increased by $5, to $30. Apart from this, the fees to be paid by the customers at the check-in counter will also be increased to $45.

Spirit Airlines said that the gate-check fee has been kept intentionally high because customers waiting until the last minute to check and pay for the bags need to be discouraged. Apart from Spirit Airlines, another U.S. carrier Allegiant Air also charges its customers for carry-on baggage.