How to Avoid Paying Airline Baggage Fees

Smart Money magazine lists thoughts on how to avoid paying airline baggage fees. They list suggestions for carry-on, checked, and shipped bags as follows:

Carry-On Bags

• Embrace the middle seat -- It usually has the most under-seat space, ideal for a squishable duffel, backpack or small rolling briefcase.
• Board early -- If you're worried about getting that space in the overhead bin, know your airline's boarding routine — and make sure you're among the first in line for your section.
• Be aware of carry-on limits.

Checked Bags

• Check airline exemptions -- American and United waive first-bag fees for first- or business-class passengers and elite frequent fliers.
• Note item exceptions -- Most airlines allow passengers to check strollers, car seats and wheelchairs free of charge. Read the policy.
• Start small -- Large bags are just plain heavy — even when empty — and they also lend themselves to overpacking.
• Look for a light bag -- Here's one case where it works to your advantage to go with cheaper luggage.

Shipped Bags

• Weigh the fees -- Sending just the one bag doesn't make sense, but someone traveling with three or four pieces of luggage, or something bulky like sports equipment, might come out ahead.
• Consider well-known carriers -- A 50-pound bag sent via UPS Ground from New York to Los Angeles costs just $59, with five days in transit.
• Check with your hotel -- Some hotels charge a fee to accept a package, plus more per day to hold it until your arrival.

What a $%^&*$#@ hassle!!!! Remember the good old days when you could breeze through airport security carrying your 20 oz. drink and checking baggage was free? It appears those days are gone forever.

The tactics I use the most are to 1.) pack light and 2.) try and get on the plane first. I used to be a frequent flier on Northwest (the carrier I use the most) and was then able to get on board as soon as I wanted. But now I don't travel that much anymore, so I've lost that advantage. Still, I usually pack light enough that I can fit everything under the seat in front of me (most of my trips are overnight only), so I'm fine.

And who ever thought that "get the middle seat" would be advice offered for air travelers? What a topsy-turvy world we're looking at these days!

Comments

[Paula]

When we went on a recent family vacation, I also looked at what we could just purchase easier there. Sharing shampoo and as many supplies as I could at our destination managed to save us a good bit of room. I usually go grocery shopping for snacks and breakfasts when we go someplace anyways, so this was an easy addition to add.

[rdub98]

My wife travels a lot for her work, so she has learned a lot from her trials from air travel. One of the things that she does is get those vacuum bags. She can pack more clothes in a carry-on than some people can in full sized luggage. They can get expensive, but if you travel a lot and want to avoid the fees, then the vacuum bags are a great idea.

If you don't know what these are, go here: https://www.spacebag.com/spacebag/901715/

[Morp]

Fly Southwest Airlines if possible. They don't charge for extra bags and they are usually a cheaper option anyway.

[Barbara DesChamps]

Don’t despair. You can “lighten up” in ways that give you benefits instead of fits. Lightweight travel is safer and easier than carrying a heavy load of things you don’t need.

In four decades of advising people what to pack, the common thread is that they aren’t sure what to take, so they take too much. My husband and I have been traveling overseas on long trips since 1971. We take only carry-on bags that each weigh 15 to 17 pounds full and we dress well. People kept asking how we did it so I published two books (see my dot com)that show how.

You don't need those space bags. You can accomplish the same thing with regular, zippered plastic bags, which come in sizes up to 2.5 gallons.