Continental waives bag fee for some card holders

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Continental Airlines Inc., the nation's fifth-largest carrier, is giving some passengers a break on its fee to check a first bag.

The airline said Tuesday that, effective immediately, it will waive its fee of $15 each way to check a first bag for Continental Airlines Chase credit and debit cardmembers.

Continental Airlines Presidential Plus cardmembers are eligible to check up to two bags without paying a fee _ a savings of up to $40 each way per passenger checking bags.

Customers traveling with the primary cardmember will also be eligible for the waived fees if they are listed in the same reservation and check in at the same time, Continental said.

The fee waivers apply to all Continental Airlines, Continental Express and Continental Connection flights.

In an effort to offset high fuel costs, five of the six legacy carriers have imposed a fee to check a first bag. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc. remains the only one of the six not to impose that particular fee.