Keep track of baggage fees on international flights

If you'll be traveling on an international flight in the near future, be aware of new baggage fees. Checked-luggage

fees are spreading to Europe and beyond.

Five of the six major U.S. carriers now have fees for checking a second bag to Europe when you buy coach-class tickets. Delta began collecting the fees July 1, and Northwest, now owned by Delta, was No. 2 in this trend.

In late August, the baggage "flew virus" hit U.S. airlines that fly internationally. American, US Airways and Continental announced charges, leaving United as the only domestic carrier not charging for a second checked bag on flights to Europe.

So far, international carriers aren't charging for the first or second checked bag. I believe that United isn't charging the fee because its partner, Lufthansa, doesn't want to charge it. The fees are waived for elite frequent fliers and their companions on the same record, and they don't apply to full-fare coach-class tickets.

Beginning Sept. 14, American will charge $50 each way for a second checked bag on trans-Atlantic flights to Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and India. There are exceptions: If any of your flights is on code-share partners, you don't have to pay the fees. So, if one leg of your trip is operated by British Airways, you won't be charged.

You also can avoid the fees by buying tickets on an international carrier.

Not only are these fees spreading to Europe, but some U.S. carriers are charging baggage fees to other international destinations. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands fall under the domestic baggage fees, and so does Canada on many U.S. carriers. Also, US Airways and Continental are charging fees for second checked bags to other international locations.

US Airways has new fees for tickets purchased on or after Aug. 26, for travel beginning Oct. 7. The carrier will allow one free checked bag on transatlantic flights, but the second checked bag will cost $55 each way if you pay at the airport.

The airline will charge $25 each way for your first bag and $35 each way for your second checked bag if you pay at the airport to all destinations except those reached by transatlantic flights. You can save $5 off these fees if you pay online.

Continental charges $30 for the second checked bag on travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America, excluding Brazil.

Continental has begun charging $50 for the second piece of checked luggage to Europe for coach-class tickets bought on or after Aug. 27, for travel beginning Sept. 15. Fliers can pay the fees online and save $5.

If you'll be checking a specialty item on an international flight, check the fees before you buy your ticket. Delta, for example, charges $300 each way for surfboards to Europe.

Because these fees keep changing, continue to check the airlines' baggage information before you book a flight.