When searching for prices on flights, it is always nice to find a good deal on a flight. What is not nice is realizing that it is going to cost you way more to fly because of checked bag fees. Checked bag fees can cost you $60 or more for a round trip ticket.
This can add up fast especially if you are traveling as a family. For example, a family of 5 all checking a bag can add an additional $300 or more flying round trip.
Different Types of Bags
Before we get into the different ways to get around paying for checked bag fees, let’s take a look at what the different types of bags are.
Fees for bags come in three different categories:
1. Carry on bags- Carry on bags are those bags that you can carry on the flight, hence the term “carry on.” They are small enough to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Most airlines don’t charge for carry-on bags. JetBlue and United charge carry-on fees if you are flying on their economy fair.Budget airlines like Allegiant and Spirit charge for carry on bags.
2. Personal items- Personal items are things like a purse, backpack, or laptop bag. They are separate from carry-on bags. Airlines don’t charge for personal items that you take on the plane.
3. Checked bags- Larger luggage that is going to be stored in the hold of the plane is considered checked baggage. Most airlines are going to charge you a certain amount for checking a bag.
They will charge you extra for each additional bag that you check. They will also charge you more if it does not meet their dimension or weight requirements. So, now let’s get to the good stuff and look at some things that you can do to avoid those pesky checked bag fees.
1. Pick Up an Airline Credit Card
One way to get around checked bag fees is to have an airline credit card. Airline credit cards have annual fees but even if you don’t fly all the time it can be beneficial to have an airline credit card.
If you do fly often then it is definitely going to be a cost effective way to save money when you fly. You have to do the math when looking at an airline credit card. Are you going to get the necessary value out of the card to account for an airline credit card?
For example, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum World Elite Mastercard has an annual fee of $99 that is waived for the first year. The first checked bag on domestic flights flies free for you and up to 4 other companions.
American Airlines charges $40 one way for a checked bag on a domestic flight. So, it would cost you $160 for a round trip ticket for you and a companion. One flight would pay for the fee and then some.
Most major US airlines have free checked baggage along with having one of their credit cards. Click the links below to see available credit cards for each airline.
2. Use Military Discount
If you are an active military member, you can get free checked bags when you fly with all of the major US airlines.
This would include:
Each of the airlines has their own policies as it comes to military members. You can click on the links above to see what they are. For example, with United an active military member and dependents can have 3 checked bags when not on official business. When on official business the military member along with dependents can have up to 5 checked bags.
3. Earn Elite Status
If you fly often and you fly one particular airline you can earn elite status. If you have elite status, many frequent flyer programs allow elite status members to have their checked bags fly for free.
For example, with American Airlines Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members get 3 checked bags for free. Platinum members get 2 checked bags for free. Gold members get one checked bag for free.
Elite status with an airline may seem like a lofty goal but there are ways to earn more points on that journey. For example, if you have status with World of Hyatt, you can link your Hyatt account with your American Airlines account. Each dollar spent at a World of Hyatt hotel earns you a point with American Airlines.
4. Go Team Carry On
Probably the best way to avoid checked bag fees is by packing everything that you need in a carry-on and personal item since most airlines allow you to bring a carry-on and personal item for free.
My wife and I bought personal item backpacks. I’m truly amazed about how much you can fit in them. The combination of the carry on and personal item backpack can pack all of your stuff.
You always want to double check the size of the carry ons and personal items for the airline that you are flying because every airline is different in the size of those items.
5. Pick a Credit Card with a Travel Credit
Tip one was to have an airline card to get around paying for checked bag fees. There are credit cards that are considered general travel cards and with some of these cards they have credits that you can use to cover the cost of checked bags.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has a $300 travel credit that you can use towards travel related expenses, such as baggage fees.
Other credit cards that offer the same kind of perk include: the American Express Platinum Card, American Express Gold Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
6. Fly in a Premium Seat
Airlines usually don’t charge checked baggage fees if you fly in business or first class. This will not save you money the majority of the time since the cost of a business or first class ticket is much more than the cost of a lower level ticket with baggage fees.
If you are into the points game when flying, you can book a flight in first or business class using points. It will save you money and you will get free checked bags in the process.
JetBlue and American Airlines are an exception to the business and first class rule because they have free checked bags for Premium Economy flights.
7. Weigh Your Bags
There are many lightweight travel scales that you can purchase to weigh your checked bag. It’s a cheap investment and it can save you in paying overweight fees when you get to the airport or when flying home.
8. Fly with a Friend Who Has Status or Get Status
People who have status with an airline get a free checked bag(s). For example, United, American Airlines, and Delta allow 1 to 3 free checked bags depending on what status you have. If you are flying with a friend who has status with an airline and you’re flying on the same reservation, you’ll also receive a free checked bag.
You can also earn status yourself to get free checked bags. This can be easier than you might think. For example, United will match the status that you have with Marriott.
9. Combine Bags
If you can’t do any of the various methods that I have listed, there is one thing that you can do to save on checked bags. You can share a suitcase between two people. This will cut your luggage in half and the cost of luggage in half at the same time.
My daughter and I flew to Florida and we flew Spirit which charges for checked bags. We shared a suitcase and washed clothes the week that we were in Florida and saved $80 in the process.
Final Thoughts
Checked bag fess are not going away. As a matter of fact, they are only going up. Remember that you can:
- Pick an airline credit card
- Fly Southwest
- Use Military Discount
- Earn Elite Status
- Pack Light
- Pick a Credit Card with Travel Perks
- Fly in a Premium Seat
Knowledge is power and in this case it is the power to save money on your checked bags the next time you fly.
Make sure to go to my blog Travelwidstom. You will find other ways to save on travel, travel itineraries, and how to earn and maximize credit card points and miles.