WestJet has quietly hiked its first checked bag fee by $5 for ultra-basic and economy fares. It's the airline's second price hike for checked bags in less than two years and, if history repeats itself, Air Canada will soon follow suit.
For WestJet tickets purchased on or after Sept. 16, prepaid first checked bag fees now start at $40 for economy passengers. Those who wait until check-in to pay will be charged at least $60.
Passengers flying WestJet's cheapest fare, ultra-basic, will shell out at least $50 to prepay for a checked bag for flights to most destinations.
The airline says WestJet Rewards members can bypass the fee increase if they prepay for bags, and passengers who pay for their flights with a WestJet RBC Mastercard can bypass the entire charge.
WestJet told CBC in an email that it upped the fee "to align with industry pricing and revenue trends."
Air Canada's first checked bag f
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