Welcome to Monday, December 1st. Today's lineup includes American Airlines hitting travelers with higher bag fees starting this morning, Spirit Airlines facing its second bankruptcy in less than a year, and a winter storm that's already canceled over 2,200 flights. Plus, we've got disturbing incidents from IHG properties and Southwest that show just how unpredictable travel has become.

If you're flying American to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, or Guyana starting today, you'll notice a $5 increase in checked bag fees. According to an internal memo, first checked bag fees jumped from $35 to $40 each way as of Monday, December 1st.

This is exactly why having the right credit card matters. Cobranded American Airlines credit cards waive these fees for cardholders and their traveling companions. That $40 fee adds up to $80 round-trip, and if you're traveling with a companion, you're saving $160 per trip. The math makes the annual fee pay for itself in just one or two trips.

Spirit Airlines has landed back in bankruptcy court and is now facing securities fraud claims from investors who say the carrier overstated its turnaround prospects after emerging from its first restructuring. The ultra-low-cost carrier's second trip to bankruptcy court in less than a year highlights just how precarious the airline's financial situation has become.

For passengers, this means even more uncertainty about bookings and loyalty program points. As bankruptcy proceedings continue, the only clear winners appear to be the lawyers gearing up to litigate the airline's latest collapse. If you have Spirit flights booked or Free Spirit miles, it's worth having backup plans ready.

The Thanksgiving holiday travel period finally hit a snag this weekend. A potent storm swept through the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, bringing up to a foot of snow and forcing airlines to cancel nearly 2,200 flights on Saturday and Sunday combined. Airlines rolled out weather waivers, with cancellations extending into Sunday as the system continued its march across the region.

This comes after what was otherwise a remarkably smooth holiday travel period. For those still trying to get home, check your airline's weather waiver policy — most carriers are allowing free rebooking for affected flights. And if you're using award tickets, the same weather waiver policies apply, though you may need to call rather than change online.

A disturbing incident at an IHG Avid Hotel in Austin highlights ongoing discrimination issues in the travel industry. A front desk worker told a Black woman she "did not look like a guest," then called police when she ate the free breakfast. The guest says she was staying on IHG points and was singled out while white guests around her were left alone.

This type of racial profiling is unacceptable at any property, but especially at a major hotel chain. IHG has faced similar incidents in the past, and each one damages the brand's reputation and makes loyal customers question whether their points and elite status offer any real protection from discrimination. For those affected by discrimination while traveling, documenting everything and escalating to corporate immediately is crucial.

Remember the "White Sweatpants Lady" whose meltdown at a Denver gate went viral last week? She's back. A new video shows her screaming at another passenger on board a Southwest flight — same airline, same passenger, second meltdown. The fact that Southwest didn't ban her after the first incident raises serious questions about the airline's policies for handling disruptive passengers.

Airlines maintain no-fly lists for passengers who pose safety or security threats, but enforcement appears inconsistent. Other passengers deserve to travel without harassment, and frequent flyers paying with Rapid Rewards points or premium fares shouldn't have to deal with repeat offenders who clearly can't behave appropriately on aircraft.

A bomb threat briefly halted arrivals into Philadelphia International Airport on Friday night after a passenger on a Spirit Airlines flight from Las Vegas made the threat. According to passengers on the flight, crew members moved the woman who made the threat to the front of the cabin, and police were waiting when they arrived.

Flight attendants confronted the suspect and held her in the front galley until landing. The incident caused delays for arriving flights but was resolved relatively quickly. Making bomb threats on aircraft is a federal crime carrying serious penalties, and this passenger will likely face charges. It's another reminder of how one person's poor decisions can disrupt travel for thousands of others.

Today's stories highlight why airline credit cards with baggage fee waivers are more valuable than ever, why having backup travel plans is essential during winter weather, and why documenting any discrimination or harassment during travel is crucial. The industry faces ongoing challenges with customer service, disruptive passengers, and inconsistent policy enforcement.

For frequent travelers, these incidents underscore the importance of choosing reliable airlines and hotel brands with strong customer protection policies. And with Spirit's ongoing bankruptcy, now's the time to burn any Free Spirit miles you're holding — airline bankruptcies rarely end well for loyalty program members.

That's it for today. Safe travels, and remember — those bag fees start today if you're flying American to short-haul international destinations.

Before we wrap up, I wanted to share some timely opportunities I've been tracking (courtesy of our friends at AwardTravelFinder). These deals won't last long, so let's dive in.

Active transfer bonuses worth considering:

Airline programs: