How can you beat airline baggage fees

One of the most significant developments in air travel in this century is the addition of bag fees by the major airlines. For travelers, it’s an annoyance; for airlines, bag fees have developed into a major source of revenue. And they’re going up.

            At the end of February, CNBC reported that Alaska Airlines, American, JetBlue and United have raised their checked bag fees for 2024. United will now charge $40 for your first checked bag—a bag stored in a plane’s cargo hold during a flight—but only $35 if you prepay online at least 24 hours in advance. That’s an extra $5 either way, an increase of about 15%. Delta is holding at $30—for now.

            When all this began back around 2008, the checked-bag fee was around $15. Nowadays, it costs us an extra $60-80 per trip for our checked bags, since we pay when we depart and when we’re about to fly home. Bag fees generate a lot of money for the airlines. How much money? According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, total fees collected in 2022 hit $6.76 billion, with 2023 expected to exceed that by about half a billion. Not a small number, and considering Delta’s annual operating expenses are about $52.5 billion, bag fees are a significant piece of income.

            How can you beat the bag fees? The most obvious way is to avoid checked bags altogether, traveling only with a carry-on, but that’s not always an option, especially on long trips and when families are flying. Here are some tips that could save you some money:

·         Fly with certain airlines. Some still offer free checked bags: Southwest, Air India, Qatar Airways, and Emirates are a few that haven’t yet started charging for bags, but of course these airlines won’t necessarily be able to get you to your preferred destination. Plus, their own fares might be higher.

·         Combine bags. A family of four might be able to get by with two bags, for example. Another way to save when traveling with small children is by stuffing a small duffel into a car seat, since airlines don’t charge for one car seat per child. 
·         Go carry-on. As noted, this might not always be possible.

·         Consider a fare upgrade. A higher-tier ticket, for a higher cost, might include a baggage allowance. Passengers might wind up paying the same total cost for the upgrade as they would for economy class with bag fees, but at least you’ll have more comfortable accommodations during your flight.

·         Add bags early. If you are definitely checking a bag, declare it early and you’ll likely save yourself five bucks.

·         Buy a luggage scale and lightweight bags. Overweight bags (in excess of 50 pounds) will always result in a higher fee at the airport, so weigh your packed bag before leaving home. It’s generally a good idea to go outbound with a bag that allows some room for you to add items bought on the trip, so you won’t exceed the limit on the return flight.

·         Get a preferred credit card or join a frequent flier program. Many credit cards, especially those with airline brands, offer free checked bags as a perk. But beware of opening a new credit card account just to get it; many of these cards charge an annual fee. If you travel a lot, the card option might work out for you if bag savings exceed the card’s fee. An airline’s frequent flier program might also give you a break on bag charges. 

Packing smart (and light, if possible) is not only a good thing when it comes to organizing your luggage, it might wind up saving you money that is better spent enjoying your destination. Ready to learn more? Give us a call, and we’ll help you with packing tips and everything else you’ll need for a great trip!