Airline financial data is out for the first quarter of 2019, and airline baggage fees are paying off in a big way.

U.S. airlines raked in $1.3 billion in baggage fees in the first quarter of 2019, compared to $1.1 billion during the same period last year, according to Department of Transportation data. It's about a $170 million uptick from 2018.

Airline baggage fees have been on the rise, with four major U.S. airlines increasing fees last year.

Yes, it's only a $5 increase, with the first checked bag now $30 and the second $40, on domestic flights. But the fees are per person, each way. A family of four checking one bag per person a piece will pay $240 round trip for bags when flying on American, United, Delta and JetBlue.

Aside from buying pricey tickets in first class or business class, which include free checked bags, here are five ways to avoid bag fees:

Sign up for an airline credit card or other credit cards that include free bags among the perks.

Fly or spend (with the type of credit card mentioned in No. 1) your way to elite status in an airline's frequent flier program.

Fly Southwest Airlines.

Pack light.

Check a bag at the gate for free.

Keep this in mind:American just made it cheaper to travel with bikes, surfboards, skis and tubas

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