Avoiding luggage fees has become somewhat of a personal mission for me, stemming from a nostalgia for the days when airlines didn’t nickel and dime passengers for every little thing. Over the years, my family and I have developed a knack for sidestepping these charges, allowing us to travel extensively without ever shelling out extra cash for baggage. Here’s our tried and tested approach to dodging those pesky luggage fees.

Southwest Airlines: The Sole Domestic Sanctuary for Free Checked Bags

When planning our travels, we always make a point to research airline policies regarding baggage fees. Our go-to choice for domestic flights is Southwest Airlines, the lone ranger in the U.S. market still offering complimentary checked bags. Not only do they allow one free checked bag per passenger, but they even throw in a second one, making it an unbeatable deal. Plus, with fewer passengers resorting to carry-ons due to the free checked bags, we’ve noticed smoother boarding processes and less hassle with oversized luggage in the overhead bins.

Airline Luggage Fees: A Maze of Charges

Different airlines have their own set of charges when it comes to checking baggage, so there’s no one-size-fits-all fee. Additionally, the cost might vary depending on how many bags you’re checking. For instance, you might pay $30 for the first bag and $40 for the second one when flying domestically.

For domestic flights with major U.S. airlines like Delta or American, expect to pay roughly $30 to check a bag, unless you’re flying with Southwest, which allows two free checked bags per passenger. However, if you don’t pay for your bags during booking or before check-in, the price could be higher.

Ultra-low-cost carriers often charge more per bag, with Frontier having one of the highest fees among U.S. airlines, around $50 or more. This fee varies based on your travel route and when you purchase the bag. Additionally, these airlines usually require a similar fee for carry-on bags that don’t fit under the seat.

Complimentary Checked Bags on International Flights

Fortunately, when flying internationally, many airlines offer free checked baggage, regardless of your travel class, credit card, or frequent flier status.

Selecting the Ideal Airline Credit Card

A plethora of airline credit cards extend to their holders the perk of a complimentary checked bag, not just for themselves but also for at least one additional traveler on the same booking. For instance, certain cards furnish two free bags for the primary cardholder and a companion, while some no-annual-fee airline cards do not incorporate this privilege.

Should it seem inevitable that I will be compelled to shell out for baggage fees on forthcoming trips, my recourse will be to acquire a new credit card that encompasses a complimentary checked bag, thereby availing myself of a lucrative sign-up bonus while sidestepping luggage charges.

Optimizing Your Carry-Ons

The majority of airlines allocate each passenger both a carry-on and a personal item, the latter of which can be stowed beneath the seat in front of you. It’s astonishing how much paraphernalia can be accommodated within these two bags. Case in point, during a 10-day sojourn to Hawaii, my spouse, our trio of offspring, and I each carted a full-size carry-on bag in addition to a backpack. Remarkably, I ingeniously fastened several of the carry-ons together, facilitating easy navigation through the airport. Subsequently, prior to boarding, I sought the gate agent’s approval to gate-check all five of our carry-on suitcases, a request to which she readily assented, leaving each of us with a petite backpack containing our in-flight entertainment, sustenance, and valuables.

Indeed, airline personnel frequently issue announcements encouraging passengers to opt for gate-checking their bags, thereby expediting the boarding process and freeing up additional space in the overhead compartments.

Understand the Regulations Meticulously

To me, airline baggage fees resemble a strategic challenge, and mastering any challenge involves understanding its regulations. For instance, while airlines may permit skis and snowboards as part of checked luggage without an extra charge, their policies vary regarding the contents of a bag. If you’re traveling with a child, you’re entitled, at no additional cost, to bring aboard a diaper bag, breast pump and milk, and a government-approved child seat (such as an infant carrier or car seat). It’s worth noting that Alaska, American, United, and Delta now allow bicycles to be checked as standard luggage, with the possibility of avoiding additional fees in certain cases.

Moreover, many airlines allow a child car seat to be checked. To safeguard the car seat, I recommend placing it in a duffle bag. Additionally, I’ve discovered that by including spare diapers, beach towels, winter coats, or other bulky yet lightweight items in the duffle beneath the seat, the airline remains oblivious and unconcerned. I’ve even secured bottles of wine to our children’s car seats, which not only protects the bottles but also our children effectively.

Redeeming Miles for Air Travel

Redeeming your frequent flyer miles for flight tickets doesn’t just land you in the regular economy section. Surprisingly, these bookings often open doors to additional perks, even when you’re seated in economy. Most airlines extend the courtesy of allowing a carry-on and a personal item, regardless of your booking method.

Interestingly, the value of your miles can stretch further when you opt for business class. Despite the hefty price tag compared to economy seats, the mileage required might not be as steep as you’d expect. In my experience, shelling out four times the cost of an economy ticket might only necessitate double the miles.

Travelling with your family under this scheme presents its own logistical puzzle: finding a vehicle capacious enough to accommodate both your loved ones and your luggage on the journey to and from the airport.

FAQs

Q1: Is it mandatory to use your airline card for purchasing to qualify for the complimentary checked bag?

A1: Absolutely, to avail yourself of the complimentary checked bag perk linked to your airline card, the ticket must be purchased using the said card. Moreover, if your card extends the same benefit to your companions, they must be included in the same booking as you.

Q2: What’s the fee for checking a bag on transatlantic flights?

A2: Several U.S.-based airlines provide one complimentary checked bag for transatlantic flights, except for basic economy or similar fare categories. However, for any additional checked bags, a fee is typically charged, with the standard rate hovering around $100.