Pay those pesky bag fees early: United Airlines offers new prepayment option

United Airlines has added the option to pay for checked bags before you check in online or get to the airport. Travellers are now able to pay bag fees any time after they purchase the ticket. The option was added this month. United is the first major airline to offer the service, according to Linda Jojo, the airline's executive VP of technology and chief digital officer. The prepayment option gives travellers one less thing to worry about as the flight approaches, Jojo said Tuesday. Travellers cannot pay for the bag when they book their ticket, as discounters Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant allow, but can do so any time after it's ticketed. Unlike the budget airlines, though, United's bag fees are the same regardless of when you pay them: US$30 for the first bag and $40 for the second. <br/>