WASHINGTON (TVR) – Baggage fees have hit a record, with U.S. airlines hauling in nearly $4.6 billion worth from passengers in 2017.

-–>EVENT: Improve Work-Life Balance with Travel Talk Events

Travelers paid $4.57 billion to the 13 largest U.S.-based carriers last year, up 6% from 2016, according to new data released this week from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Some flyers chose airline-branded credit cards to avoid baggage fees, so the total certainly would have been much higher without those types of agreements.

More airlines are eliminating free bags, especially for those who buy basic economy fares — even on international routes, where legacy carriers have long offered at least one free checked bag.

Airlines raked in a net, after-tax profit of $15.5 billion in 2017, up 10.7% from 2016.

–>WATCH: How We Save 50%-80% Off Every Flight

–>RELATED: Devastating Hurricanes Cost Caribbean Tourism 800,000 Visitors

–>TIPS: 10 Ways to Protect Checked Gadgets

Top Airlines for Baggage Fees

American Airlines collected the most baggage fees of any U.S. carrier in 2017.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline said it made $1.17 billion from its luggage levies last year.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines came in second place by hauling in $907 million.

Here is the full list, according to the BTS:

1. American: $1.17 billion
2. Delta: $907.6 million
3. United: $794.4 million
4. Spirit: $492.6 million
5. Frontier: $364.1 million
6. JetBlue: $289.8 million
7. Allegiant: $192.5 million
8. Alaska: $147.2 million
9. Hawaiian: $81.1 million
10. Virgin America: $62.6 million
11. Southwest: $46.1 million
12. Sun Country: $20 million
13. Island Air Hawaii: $4.9 million

–>TIPS: When to Consider Buying Travel Insurance

–>SAVE: How to Save Money on Car Rentals

–->SUPPORT: Help Support Our Journalism & Original Content

Total 2017 Airline Fees

In addition to the record baggage fees, airlines also made billions off other ancillary revenue.

The annual BTS report showed U.S. airlines collected $2.9 billion from reservation change fees.

American also drew the most in this fee category, bringing in $878 million, while Delta narrowly came in second place with $830 million.

The U.S. scheduled passenger service airlines booked an “after-tax net profit as a group” for the fifth year in a row, the government said.

-–>SIGN UP: For more news, get The Voyage Report newsletter for FREE

–>RELATED: U.S. Spring Break Air Travel Breaks Record

–>TIPS: The Best, Must-Have Travel Apps

–>TIPS: 9 Smart Ways for Flying With Kids

–>SAVE: Fare War to Europe From the U.S. Starting at $381!

–>TIPS: 16 Money-Saving Ideas for Spring

–>TIPS: How to Use Airline Gift Cards to Save Money on Airfare