Starlux is charging more for extra bags starting in September, bad news for travelers who pack heavy, especially on long-haul routes.

• Tickets issued from September 1 fall under a new three-zone fee system instead of the old short-haul/long-haul split.
• Fees run from $150 a bag for Asia and Guam trips up to $280 for flights starting from the farthest zone.
• Routes to the US, Europe, Africa and Latin America land in the priciest tier, while western US cities, Canada, Oceania and the Middle East sit in the middle.
• Buying extra baggage online at least three hours before departure gets a 20% discount.
• Voluntary ticket changes get repriced at the rate in effect on the day the new ticket is issued.

Outlook: Expect other Taiwanese carriers to follow with similar zone-based baggage pricing as Starlux expands its network and picks up more connecting traffic.