Continental Airlines is charging $15 per bag even for the first bag, though they don't charge in the following cases:
Frequent-flier customers, first-class and business-class flyers, customers traveling on full-fare economy class tickets, and military personnel and their families traveling on official orders are exempt from the charge.
My advice to most travellers is PACK LIGHTER! I'm almost always happy when I pack light and don't have to lug around big suitcases. Even for my two week China trip I took a small soft suitcase and a large backpack, then purchased a huge bag for the trip home at Honqiao Pearl Market in Beijing.
