Unexpected Airline Fees: A Comparison of Delta, American, and United

1. Introduction

Since 2008, the three U.S. legacy carriers have been adding more and more fees. This article outlines the hidden fees to avoid and compares how United, Delta, and American operate in terms of charging these fees.

2. Understanding Airline Fees

There’s nothing more upsetting than showing up at the airport on the first day of vacation to find out you have to pay $75 to check a bag to Europe and can’t sit next to your family without paying $40 per person. In an effort to present a low upfront price tag on flights, airlines cover their costs through fees—many of which are hidden in the fine print or aren’t disclosed until the buyer has selected flights and completed the necessary information.

The fees that transform a $300 ticket into a $500 flight have long been the norm at low-cost carriers. However, even U.S. legacy airlines—United, Delta, and American—are now packed with fees. The situation has prompted President Joe Biden to propose a new rule in September 2022, mandating airlines to be transparent about additional fees. According to the proposed rule, airlines “would have to disclose up front – the first time an airfare is displayed – any fees charged for sitting with your child, changing or canceling your flight, and for checked or carry-on baggage.”

Until then, being aware of existing fees will allow you to choose your ticket type wisely and pack your bags as an informed traveler. This article explores the terms and conditions for the three U.S. legacy airlines—United, Delta, and American—to unveil common fees travelers might face during online checkouts or at the airport.

3. Common Hidden Fees

Showing Up With a Bag That’s Too Heavy

Next time you see someone repacking their entire suitcase at the check-in desk, have compassion; they might be saving themselves $100 (or more). All three airlines enforce a weight limit of 50 pounds for checked bags. If a bag weighs in at 51 pounds, travelers must pay an extra $100. Moreover, if someone checks in with a bag weighing 71 pounds or more, they face a $200 charge.

These fees remain consistent on international travel with Delta, whereas United doubles those charges for international flights (51-pound bag incurs a $200 extra charge and a 71-pound bag $400 extra). Meanwhile, American upholds the $200 charge for 71-pound bags on international flights and charges $450 per 71-pound-plus bag for travelers in China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, and New Zealand.

United: $100 to $400, per bag, each way

American: $100 to $450, per bag, each way

Delta: $100 to $200, per bag, each way

Showing Up With a Bag That Isn’t the Right Dimensions

To avoid hidden fees regarding bag size, your bags must measure 62 linear inches or less; this rule applies to all three airlines. Linear inches are calculated by adding the outside length, width, and height of a bag. For example, if your bag measures 25 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 20 inches high, its linear dimension would total 63 inches, leading to an extra fee upon checkout.

United: $200, per bag, each way

American: $150 to $200, per bag, each way

Delta: $100 to $300, per bag, each way

Checking a Bag on a Domestic Flight

Before 2008, checking a bag was complimentary for every airline passenger. However, following American Airlines’ implementation of checked bag fees for domestic flights, this policy has drastically changed. Currently, if you wish to check a bag domestically, expect a charge between $30 and $35 for the first bag.

United: $35

American: $30

Delta: $30

Checking a Bag on an International Flight in Basic Economy

If you are flying internationally with an economy fare or higher, a checked bag is typically complimentary. However, basic economy travelers face exceptions.

For United, basic economy customers are charged $70 to check a bag to South America and $75 to Europe (currently no charge for Asia and Australia). American charges $45 on South American flights and $75 for travel over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Delta’s charges vary, with fees ranging from $45 to $70 for South America, $75 to Europe, and free for flights to Asia.

United: $70 to South America, $75 to Europe, free to Asia

American: $45 to South America, $75 to Europe, $75 to Asia

Delta: $45 to $70 for South America, $75 to Europe, free to Asia

Choosing a Seat in Basic Economy

To maintain lower fares, United introduced the “basic economy” fare tier in 2017, with American and Delta following suit. Although these tickets initially appear appealing, they entail hidden fees similar to those from low-cost carriers such as Spirit. If you desire to select a seat on United or American flights, an additional fee applies, while Delta does not even allow you to choose a seat during booking, stating that “your seat will be assigned after check-in (within 24 hours of departure) and assigned seats may not be together.” For a flight between Denver and Austin, the cost to choose a seat in basic economy for July 2023 starts at $34 on United and $21 on American.

United: $34+, per person, per flight

American: $21+ per person, per flight

Delta: not available upfront, sometimes available beginning seven days prior to departure

Bringing a Carry-on in Basic Economy

Here’s where the airlines diverge. Delta and American Airlines permit all travelers, including those in basic economy, to bring one free carry-on and one personal item to all destinations. However, United does not include carry-on bags in the fare—unless flying to South America or across the Atlantic or Pacific. For United, a carry-on bag incurs a $35 fee, matching the checked-baggage fee on domestic flights. If you forget this rule, the airline explicitly states, “Everyone else who brings a full-sized carry-on bag to the gate will be required to check their bag and pay the applicable checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge,” totaling $60.

United: from $35

American: free

Delta: free

Booking or Changing a Ticket Over the Phone

If you’re attempting to use a flight credit to arrange future travel or modify your flight last minute, reaching out to the airline may be necessary. If you want assistance from United or American, expect to pay extra. United states: “A fee will be charged for tickets issued by United. Service charges for ticketing with a United representative in the 50 United States and Canada are $25 by phone, $30 at a City Ticket Office, and $50 in-person at the airport.”

In contrast, Delta does not mention any fees on its website, and according to an article by The Points Guy, Delta eliminated its ticketing fee back in 2016.

United: $25 to book a ticket over the phone

American: $50 for changes to a trip “not initially created by American Airlines Reservations or on aa.com”

Delta: free

Flying With a Baby on Your Lap

I used to think lap infants (kids who fly on their parents’ lap) flew for free. However, this only applies for flights within the U.S. On a United flight to London, I had to pay an additional $168 for my 1.5-year-old on my lap, which is termed “a partial fare based on the destination.” This fee amounted to nearly 18 percent of my adult fare. Delta is clear about its charges for infants on laps, noting a charge of “generally 10 percent of adult fare + international taxes and fees.”

American Airlines’ policy is more complicated. The airline states that “infants under 2 years old can travel at no charge in the lap of their parent,” but then clarifies that “taxes and a percentage of the adult fare may apply on international trips.”

United: varies, but I paid $168 (18 percent of adult fare) to London

American: varies, but international flights will likely incur a charge.

Delta: 10 percent of adult fare plus taxes and fees