JetBlue is raising its checked bag fees again. Here's how much you'll spend — and how to save.

Traveling with JetBlue this year? Checking your bag just got more expensive. Again.

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the airline increased its first checked bag fees ; it's the second time this year it has raised bag fees. 

For tickets purchased on or after Nov. 3, many passengers will now pay at least $50 each way for their first checked bag, up from $39 for many itineraries — a nearly 30% increase. This generally applies to travelers with Main and EvenMore tickets on flights within the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.

And that assumes you paid your bag fees in advance. If you purchase your bag within 24 hours of departure, the fee jumps to at least $60.

If you're flying during peak season, those fees are even higher, thanks to the airline's dynamic bag pricing. On those days, you'll pay at least $55 for a prepaid checked bag, and $70 if you add a bag within 24 hours of departure. 

Transatlantic, oversize and additional bags will cost even more.

JetBlue's peak travel dates , first introduced in 2024 , align with many major holidays and, in 2026, cover much of November and the entire month of December.

In 2027, peak dates include early to mid-January, Presidents' Day week in February, most of April, the end of May and the entire summer, from June 1 through just after Labor Day.

Basically, a lot of the days you might be flying with JetBlue are the days when the price to check your bag is higher. 

JetBlue tells Yahoo Travel in a statement that the increase in bag fees is to "help offset rising fuel and operating costs." 

"This helps us keep our base fares competitive while giving customers the choice to pay for a checked bag only if they need one," JetBlue says. 

The airline encourages customers to add their checked bag online or via the JetBlue mobile app at least 24 hours before their flight to save up to $15.  

"The math is pretty simple on this one," Brett Snyder, founder and author of airline industry blog Cranky Flier , tells Yahoo Travel.

"No airline has been able to fully recoup the higher costs of fuel through increased revenue," Snyder says. "I think JetBlue has done best, but they are still only at 87%. This is an attempt to get toward 100% offset, but the reality is that when fuel does drop, this isn't going away." 

In March, the airline raised the price of its first checked bag on the same flights from $35 to $39 during off-peak travel and from $40 to $49 during peak periods. That represented an increase of between 11% (off-peak) and over 22% during peak periods.

Fliers who paid for their checked bag less than 24 hours in advance paid an additional $10, bringing those fees to $49 off-peak and $59 during peak travel.

At the time, JetBlue also told CNBC that rising operating costs were the reason for the increase. 

"Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares while delivering the onboard experience our customers love," JetBlue said, adding that it takes "careful consideration to ensure these changes are implemented only when necessary." 

Shortly after JetBlue's first bag fee increase of the year, most major U.S. airlines followed suit. In April, Delta, United, American, Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest all increased their bag fees to offset operating costs amid surging fuel prices.  Most now charge between $45 and $50 for a first checked bag.

Now, it's worth wondering whether the other airlines will take note of JetBlue's bag fee bump (and its dynamic fee pricing) and further increase their bag fees, especially if fuel costs remain high.

How to save money on checked bags

Fortunately, JetBlue offers ways for customers to get complimentary checked bags.

Many travelers with an eligible JetBlue credit card get one checked bag for free for themselves and up to three travel companions. JetBlue's Mosaic elite members also receive either one or two free checked bags, depending on their level of status.

And domestic fliers who book BlueFirst Base, BlueFirst, BlueFirst Flex, Mint Base, Mint or Mint Flex tickets also avoid paying fees on their first checked bag.

Travelers who booked flights before the Nov. 3 increase should check their reservations for applicable fees.