JetBlue raises checked bag fees again, with first bags now $50 or more
The new fees apply to bookings made on or after Nov. 3, 2026, with higher prices on peak dates and for bags added within 24 hours of departure.
JetBlue raised its checked bag fees on Nov. 3, 2026. On most routes in the US, Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada, the first checked bag now costs at least $50 each way, and it can cost as much as $70.
The new prices apply to bookings made on or after Nov. 3. JetBlue's fee page says travelers who booked before then should check Manage Trips for the fees that apply to their trip.
The new fees
JetBlue now prices bags in two ways. The fee depends on whether you add the bag more than 24 hours before departure, and whether you fly on a peak date. Here is the schedule for Main and EvenMore fares, from JetBlue's fee page:
| Bag | Off-peak, added early | Peak, added early | Within 24 hours (off-peak / peak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st bag | $50 | $55 | $60 / $70 |
| 2nd bag | $70 | $75 | $75 / $85 |
| 3rd bag or more | $200 | $200 | $200 |
The Points Guy and Simple Flying both report that the old prepaid off-peak fee for a first bag was $39, so the cheapest first bag went up by $11. CNBC described the old fee as $45 and called this the third increase in less than a year. Either way, the price went up.
When peak prices apply
JetBlue's fee page lists peak travel dates that include:
- Nov. 19 to Nov. 30, 2026
- Dec. 17 to Dec. 31, 2026
- Jan. 1 to Jan. 18, 2027
Check the fee page for later peak dates in 2027. The dates above mean Thanksgiving and the winter holidays fall in the higher tier. A round trip with one bag added at the airport on peak dates comes to $140.
Who still checks a bag for free
The fee page shows several ways around the charge:
- Mosaic 1 members get their first bag included.
- Mosaic 2, 3 and 4 members get two bags included.
- JetBlue Plus and JetBlue Premier cardmembers get the first bag included.
- BlueFirst and Mint fares include bags, with the number based on the fare type.
JetBlue also lets you pay for bags with TrueBlue points before check-in, through Manage Trips on its website or My Trips in its app.
What JetBlue says
JetBlue said in a statement to CNBC and USA Today: "We're adjusting checked bag fees to help offset rising fuel and operating costs. This helps us keep our base fares competitive while giving customers the choice to pay for a checked bag only if they need one."
Will other airlines follow?
The Points Guy notes that when JetBlue raised bag fees earlier in 2026, United followed, and then Delta, American and Southwest. TPG calls this JetBlue's second bag fee increase of 2026, and says the new $50 minimum is a 28% jump. If you plan to fly any US airline in the next few months, it's worth checking the bag fee before you book.
The Points Frog take
A checked bag now adds real money to a cheap JetBlue fare. If you check a bag on JetBlue more than a couple of times a year, a co-branded JetBlue card or Mosaic status can pay for itself on bag fees alone. If you don't have either, add your bag more than 24 hours before you fly to save $10 to $15 per bag, and try to avoid the peak dates.
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