Spirit Airlines raises checked-bag fee for holidays

Spirit Airlines is raising its checked-bag fee for flights during the busy Christmas and New Year's travel period.

On the "options and extras" page that lists fees on Spirit's website, the airline advises customers "we're encouraging customers to pack a bit lighter" to make room for all of the checked bags flying during the holidays.

Spirit is tacking on an extra $2 for bags checked on flights from Dec. 18 through Jan. 5. "Spend less time packing and more time laughing with family and friends this holiday season," Spirit adds in its message about the "temporary" holiday fee hike.

Typically, Spirit's checked-bag fees range from $30 when done in advance to $100 if done at the gate, though the carrier says it actively encourages customers to pay before the gate to avoid the maximum $100 fee. Members who pay to join Spirit's $9 Fare Club can get an additional discount.

The Associated Press writes "Spirit often charges lower fares than competitors but makes up some of the difference in more and higher fees. In the second quarter, Spirit's average fare was $84.75, about half that at Southwest Airlines, which bills itself as a low-fare carrier. But Spirit also took in $55.15 per passenger in fees."