You have probably already heard the news that a number of airlines have started charging to check a second bag, but late last month American Airlines decided that it really wasn’t so thrilled with people bringing luggage at all so it started charging $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second bag ($100 for the 3rd bag). That charge is each way. So if you check any bag and do a round trip expect to pay an additional $30 above what is the price of the ticket.

You can avoid this fee if you travel in first or business class. It also will not apply to Elite AAdvantage members who are American’s frequent flyers. It also will not apply if you have the unfortunate experience of paying for a full fare ticket.

Clearly rising fuel costs are behind American’s need to raise fees somewhere, but we will see if passengers like being surprised with an extra fee for what used to be free. I expect that American has actually gone a step too far with this move and would not be surprised to see that this hurts their business when word gets around.

For more information read American’s luggage policy.

According to the Tampa Bay News Channel 10 (heard via Travelography) there might be something worse than having the airline lose your luggage.

Oldsmar, Florida— Barbara Blewitt loves to travel and purchased a set of high quality Land’s End luggage last year. But on a recent trip to Atlantic City aboard Spirit Airlines she couldn’t believe what she saw when she arrived at baggage claim.

“I looked and there on the floor was my luggage,” says Blewitt who discovered her bag had been mysteriously burned

“I said what does that mean, what happened here? My clothes are burned!”

In fact, the luggage was so badly burned, almost everything inside, worth an estimated $350, was ruined too.

“I had no clothes, no underwear, no cosmetics, nothing but a burned suitcase,” Blewitt said.