US Airways announced that it will begin assessing a $25 fee for a passenger’s second checked bag. Passengers can continue to check one bag free of charge. The fee applies to travel that occurs on or after May 5, 2008. Travelers who purchased travel before Feb. 26 for travel on or after May 5 are exempt from the policy change.

The policy applies to all flights within the U.S., to and from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. Currently, about eight percent of US Airways customers check two or more bags.

The $25 second checked bag fee does not apply to:

With fuel costs higher than they’ve ever been, we’ve simply had to look at ways to offset our increased operating costs. Keep in mind that about eight percent of US Airways passengers check more than one bag.

Yes. For example, a family of four traveling on the same reservation will be able to check four bags free of charge, one each per passenger. Each second bag per passenger would be assessed the $25 fee.

The first bag is free, and the second bag is $25. Each bag after the second bag (3-9) will be assessed a $100 fee.

Yes. Depending on the weight of the second bag, you will pay $25 in addition to a $50 or $100 overweight fee. $50 for bags between 50-70 pounds and $100 for bags between 71-100 pounds. However, if you're Gold, Platinum or Chairman's Preferred, you are exempt from certain fees.

You'll be assessed the fee each time you check more than one bag. So if you're flying a roundtrip itinerary and checking two bags, the $25 fee will be collected on both your original and return trip totaling $50 for both ways.

You will still be subject to the policies of the operating carrier you check in with.

We will have processes in place to compensate you on a case-by-case basis in the event of a service failure.

The FAA policy states that airline passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item when boarding aircraft. This will still apply. Read the entire FAA policy.

If you're paying 10% of the adult fare for an infant to fly on a transatlantic flight, you are allowed:

• 1 checked bag with maximum total dimensions of 45 inches/114 cm and maximum weight of 50 pounds/23 kg
• 1 fully collapsible stroller or 1 child restraint device or car seat

Yes. Assistive devices such as walkers, crutches and wheelchairs will be exempt from the $25 fee and will continue to be accepted at airport ticket counter and the gate for checking.

So long as they are a second checked baggage item, yes. If these items are the only checked item, they would be free of charge pending weight and dimension limits. Learn more about traveling with special items.

No. Curbside check-in will accept one checked bag per customer. If you need to check more than one bag, you'll be directed to a US Airways kiosk or ticket counter inside the airport terminal.

Yes. The $25 second bag fee applies to all itineraries operated by US Airways, US Airways Express and US Airways Shuttle.

Yes. If you've booked an award travel itinerary the fees for bags checked beyond the first free bag will apply, unless you meet one of the exemptions listed above. If you have Preferred status, your fee will be waived for yourself and anyone traveling on your reservation.

Yes, however, once you achieve Preferred status (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman's Preferred) the fee will be waived.

No, you will not be refunded. The service fee is based on your Dividend Miles status and class of ticketed cabin at time of check-in.

No. If you're checking a second bag and are traveling on a connecting flight to Europe, the fee will not apply.

Yes, so long as you are all booked on the same reservation.

No. The fee would apply in this case since the passenger does not hold Preferred status.

Be sure that your Dividend Miles number is included in your reservation when you book and check in.

The option to pay online will be available at a later date.