Why is checked bag so expensive?

Checked baggage is expensive because of the baggage taxes imposed per piece of bag carried by a passenger. Additionally, the boarding process at different stages for bag inspection necessitates more employees and equipment, which raises costs.



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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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With checked baggage, you have the space to do so. Ease of Movement: Once you check-in, you can move freely without toting around a big bag. Sure, you'll probably want a small carry-on for your essentials and electronics, but a small bag is much easier than hauling a large carry-on through the airport.

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Luggage fees 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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Winner: Southwest Airlines 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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Luggage fees 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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Those who are traveling in business or first class and/or have elite status with United can check a bag up to 70 pounds for free — even on a basic economy ticket. If you're a heavy packer and your luggage weight usually exceeds 50 pounds, you may want to consider going for United elite status.

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It's nearly always cheaper to book extra hold luggage in advance rather than paying excess baggage fees at the airport. Airlines know that keeping within weight/size limits is not always possible, so they encourage you to plan ahead by selling extra weight online.

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Best ways to avoid checked bag fees
  1. Hold elite status (or travel with a friend/family member with elite status)
  2. Carry the right airline credit card (or travel with a friend/family member with the right card)
  3. Use a travel credit card that covers ancillary costs like baggage fees.


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It's nearly always cheaper to book extra hold luggage in advance rather than paying excess baggage fees at the airport. Airlines know that keeping within weight/size limits is not always possible, so they encourage you to plan ahead by selling extra weight online.

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Airlines charge for extra baggage because it helps them offset the tax they're charged for each ticket. Additionally, it helps with the cost of fuel, their operations, and their cumulative flight times.

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One free checked bag when traveling within the continental U.S. or to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Two free checked bags when traveling between the U.S. and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

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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.

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Gate checking is always free of charge, and basically means your carry-on will be put into the cargo hold with all the other checked luggage.

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There is only one true workaround for getting around the no carry-on rule without paying the fee: It all must fit in a personal item, which also must fit underneath a seat. To also take that away, well, it seems borderline illegal.

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