How do I not pay for checked bags?

How to avoid paying checked baggage fees
  1. Know the fees. ...
  2. Use the right credit card. ...
  3. Book first or business class. ...
  4. Get elite status or fly with someone who has it. ...
  5. Use a military discount. ...
  6. Check your bag at the gate. ...
  7. Pack light.




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Typically, airlines allow checked bags that weigh up to 50 pounds and whose dimensions (length + width + height) are 62 inches or less. Airlines allow overweight bags (up to 70 pounds), but you may have to pay extra for heavier baggage unless you're flying in a premium cabin or have elite status.

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The sure-fire way to avoid this fee is to travel with a carry-on bag only. However, if you simply cannot do without your checked luggage, try to pay for the bag online, as it is typically much cheaper to purchase your bag on the airline's website rather than pay up front at the check-in counter.

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Southwest Checked Baggage Allowance Southwest is the only airline that provides 2 FREE CHECKED BAGS for all fares.

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Southwest 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.

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United Quest? Card (annual fee: $250): Two free checked bags for the primary cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation. United Club? Infinite Card (annual fee: $525): Two free checked bags for the primary cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation.

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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.

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Yes. When you pay for checked baggage on round trip flights, you are paying for such once in each direction. You want to avoid that? Either travel very light OR book the tickets in First Class (or maybe Business) and pay more and get free checked bags OR fly Southwest if you can and you...

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During this journey, your bags will be screened at a security checkpoint. This process is much like the one that you can see when you and your hand luggage go through security, where bags are scanned with an X-ray machine or CT scanner and sometimes are inspected if deemed suspicious or requiring further examination.

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Basic economy is United's least-expensive economy fare class. Unlike some of the other perks (i.e. free checked bag, seat selection) included on a regular economy ticket, basic economy offers nothing extra. In addition, you'll board last and may not be able to bring a carry-on.

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With the Southwest baggage rules, your first two checked bags are free as long as they fit within the allowed weight and size limits. Specifically, each checked bag should weigh 50 pounds or less and be 62 inches in size (the sum of the bag's length, width and height) or smaller.

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In general, your personal item should be smaller than your carry-on and under the specific airline's carry-on dimensions, allowing it to fit under the seat in front of you. In most cases, backpacks are considered personal items as long as they fit under the seat in front of you.

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Weight limits for checked luggage vary from airline to airline and depend on which route you're traveling and class you're flying in. Typically, the weight limit for an individual checked bag is 50 lbs (23 kg), with some business and first class tickets allowing you to carry two bags up to this weight.

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