Basic economy fares also don't always include a carry-on bag, much less a checked bag. This means you'll need to pay baggage fees if you want to check a bag and maybe even to carry anything larger than a backpack or purse on the plane.
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Make the check-in process easier by prepaying for bags before your flight. For some routes, you'll also save money on fees. You must prepay for bags at least 24 hours before your flight to save.
A key driver in domestic checked baggage fees is tax arbitrage. Airlines want to get a portion of the transportation cost out from under the base airfare so that it is not subject to the government's 7.5% excise tax on tickets. At some level it doesn't matter what pricing mechanism is used, as long as there is one.
International flights allow one, and often two, pieces of checked luggage per passenger. International luggage allowance is often influenced by whether the flight is intracontinental (within the same continent) or intercontinental (across the ocean or spanning different continents).
Winner: Southwest AirlinesSouthwest charges absolutely no bag fees. American, Alaska, Delta and Hawaiian charge $30 for a checked bag, while JetBlue and United charge $35 for the same. Low-cost airlines Spirit and Frontier separate from the pack here, as they charge customers for all overhead carry-on items.
Checked LuggageMost airlines will allow you to check one bag and have one carry-on bag. There is normally a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds per checked bag as well as a size restriction. The most common maximum size bag allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. A common size bag for checking through is: 27 x 21 x 14.
It's rare to find U.S. airlines with free checked baggage. Southwest Airlines is the only airline without any bag fees. For other airlines, you'll need to earn elite status or book your tickets with an airline credit card.
If your bag is over 50 lbs (23 kg), or if its length, width, and height added together are over 62 inches (157 cm), you may be charged an additional fee, on top of the normal bag fee.
If a checked item exceeds a passenger's standard luggage allowance by quantity, weight, or size measurement, it's generally deemed excess baggage. Specific number, weight, and dimension restrictions differ based on carrier, route, fare class or cabin, season, and airline loyalty program status.
Check your bag at the gateIf checking a bag is more a preference than a need, don't check your small rolling bag at the check-in counter. Instead, wait until you get to the gate. If your flight is relatively full, airline employees may offer free gate bag check to make room for everyone's carry-on luggage.
Should I check a bag to Europe? Ultimately it depends on your trip, but my short answer is no – if possible, it is best to travel to Europe with carry-on luggage only. The challenge for Europe in particular, is that usually when people visit Europe, they move around a bit.
Checked luggage is the best option for serious travelers. It's the right choice for when you need more packing space, especially if you plan to return home with large souvenirs and gifts. For longer trips of a month or more, checked luggage is the way to go unless you want to live within carry-on size limitations.
With many airlines charging fees for extras such as seat selection, checked baggage and more – depending on the fare category you choose – the cost of air travel can end up being steeper than it appears at first glance.