TRAVEL: Delta & Continental Increase Checked Bag Fees

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Online charges for checked bags will be $23 for the first bag, $32 for the second
* That's an $8 and $7 increase from current rates, respectively
* Checking in bags at airport will be even more: $25 for first bag, $35 for second
* New Delta rates start Tuesday; Continental rates are for travel on or after January 16

(CNN) -- Continental Airlines has matched Delta Air Lines' recent checked-luggage fee increase, a Continental spokeswoman says.

Delta Air Lines passengers paying online for checked bags will be charged $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second -- an $8 and $7 increase from current rates, respectively.

The new Delta rates start Tuesday and apply to tickets purchased on or after January 5. Passengers who bought tickets before that date will pay the old rates, Delta spokeswoman Susan Elliott said.

Continental Airlines matched the increase late last week, spokeswoman Mary Clark said. The increase on Continental applies to passengers who purchased tickets on or after January 9 for travel on or after January 16.

Those checking in bags at the airport will shell out even more: $25 for the first bag, $35 for the second on both airlines.

Some passengers -- such as first-class fliers, some frequent fliers and military personnel on deployment -- are exempt from most checked-luggage fees.

Delta and Continental luggage fees now are among the highest in the industry. US Airways also charges $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second bag when checked in at the airport. Online, the airline charges $20 and $30 for the first and second bags.

United Airlines charges $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second bag at the airport, and $15 and $25 online for the first and second bags, respectively. American Airlines charges $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second bag, both online and at the airport.

Most major air carriers started adding checked-bag fees in 2008.

On discount carrier Southwest Airlines, the first and second checked bags are free. JetBlue offers a free first checked bag and charges $30 for the second.

© 2008 Cable News Network