Packing light for a trip this summer can save you money.

That's because the airlines are still tacking on new fees. First it was for changing your reservation, then for meals and more and more for baggage.

The latest? American Airlines announced yesterday it has earned the dubious distinction of being the first carrier to charge a fee for the traveler who checks just one bag: $15.

In recent months, some airlines began charging customers who checked a second bag. And charges for a third bag or more can easily exceed $100 on many carriers.

These are new fees for U.S. travelers who had come to expect that they could check two bags for no additional charge. After paying hundreds of dollars for airline tickets, you didn't seem too needy in expecting that checking a couple of bags would be included in the original price tag.

With fuel prices soaring, the airlines have been whittling away at once-free services to try to stay ahead.

For folks flying in anything less than the upgraded business and first-class fares, airlines increasingly charge for food served aboard.

For years, airlines have been getting stricter about size and weight restrictions. If that bag weighs 52 pounds, you better figure out how to take out two pounds and not expect the airline employee to ignore the excess.

We did a survey of the baggage fees for airlines that fly domestic routes between Hono-lulu and the Mainland and came up with some interesting info.

So far, American is the only one planning to hit you with a fee for checking that first bag; most airlines still give you that one free up to 50 pounds and under the size restrictions. And most airlines we checked with charge $25 for the second bag.

After that the fees vary. And it's clear that you should check to make sure you understand the fees before you pay them.

Is there anything you can do to try to keep down the costs?