WestJet is adding a $25 first-checked-bag fee for passengers traveling on Econo fares for domestic flights and flights between Canada and the United States,

the carrier announced Monday. The fee is effective Monday and applies to bookings for travel on or after Oct. 29. Travelers flying on Flex fares will be allowed one free checked bag, and Plus fare passengers get two free checked bags. The first checked bag will remain free for passengers traveling on WestJet to international destinations besides the United States. In a research note, Cowen and Co. said that WestJet had discussed the fee in the past but only now had the IT capabilities to implement it, adding that the firm expects "Air Canada will eventually mimic these fees in the domestic market." Additionally, WestJet Monday announced a three-tiered rewards program based on dollars spent with the airline; waiving the bag fee is a benefit that begins at the second tier, the silver level.