How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines

Airline fees are a big problem for major airlines in the US and checked baggage feesIn particular, it is the main driver of airline profits today. These additional services bring in more than $6.70 billion in 2022 alone — and they keep increasing. The last few years have seen airlines like Alaska, American, JetBlue and United increased checked baggage fees.

It’s safe to say that no one wants to spend an extra $70 (or more) to check luggage on a round-trip domestic flight – especially when holiday travel Costs are already quite high.

Luckily, there are some simple ways to avoid paying these fees. We’ll learn how to avoid checked baggage fees from major US carriers

Most common airline baggage fees

There are some common baggage fees applied by most major airlines in the United States. The first fee is for any checked baggage, which typically starts at $35 each way but increases quickly when you add a second or third suitcase. You may also fall victim to an additional fee for checking an overweight bag, which typically kicks in when you exceed 50 pounds. Finally, suitcases of a certain size (usually measured in linear inches – length plus width plus height) will almost always require an additional fee, as will some specialty luggage types. special, like diving equipment.

For more details, here are links to our personal guide to US airlines’ baggage fee policies:

However, it should be noted that published policies may have some wiggle room. Sometimes I get an airline to accept my 52-pound bag without an overweight fee. Plus, if you have one Airline statusYou can still convince the check-in staff to sympathize with free baggage allowance.

Luckily, there are some tried and true ways to help you overcome these added costs before your next trip.

The best way to avoid checked baggage fees

In general, there are five main ways to avoid paying checked baggage fees on your next flight:

Daily newsletter

Gift your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers to get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts

• Hold elite status (or travel with friends/family members with elite status)
• Wear on the right airline credit card (or travel with a friend/family member with the appropriate pass)
• Use one travel credit card includes ancillary costs such as baggage fees
• Buy a premium ticket (usually premium economy, business class, or first class)
• Traveling under special circumstances or to a specific destination

Of course, you can also choose to fly along Southwest Airlinesallows all customers to check two bags weighing up to 50 pounds each for free. Alternatively, you can try stuffing everything into your carry-on suitcase, which is still free on many airlines.

However, it is worth noting a few basic economy ticket Carry-on baggage is not included, incl United domestic tickets in basic economy. Meanwhile, both Spirit and Frontier typically require you to pay for a larger bag.

Related: 7 tips to help airlines avoid losing luggage

Let’s take a closer look at each of these strategies so you can avoid checked baggage fees on your next trip.

Use elite status perks

Airline elite status can be quite valuable to many travelers, and it involves more than just a first-class upgrade and lounge access. The majority of these levels – even the lowest ones – allow you to check your bags for free. However, the exact waiver depends on the airline and may change as you climb the elite status ladder.

For example, all Delta Medallion travelers are entitled to at least one free checked bag – up to £70 on flights within the US and Canada and £50 on international flights. This allowance translates into a pair of Gold Medal bags, while Platinum and Diamond Medal travelers enjoy three free bags.

United also gives Premier passengers a 70-pound allowance for checked baggage – one for Premier Silver, two for Premier Gold and three for Premier Platinum and Premier 1K.

American takes a similar approach to the number of checked bags – one for Gold, two for Platinum, and three for Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. However, unless you are confirmed in business or first class, you are limited to £50 (except for flights to and from Australia or New Zealand.

Note that many of these perks also apply to partner flights. If you have elite status with any airline in Team sky, Star Alliance or worldyou’ll be able to check your bags for free (or enjoy an increased checked baggage allowance) on partner airlines.

For more details on elite status perks, see these guides:

Related: So what exactly is travel elite status – and how can I get it?

Get an airline credit card

Qualifying for elite status may not be a problem for leisure travelers, but fortunately most US airlines offer a simpler path to Get free checked baggage: open an airline credit card. Most U.S. airlines’ co-branded cards waive first checked baggage fees on domestic itineraries. In fact, many of these perks apply to companions — in some cases, up to eight people on the same booking. And some are available for annual fees under $100.

In other words, as long as you have the right credit card, you and your whole family can check baggage for free on your next trip.

Each service provider uses slightly different rules for these policies, but here’s a summary of the cards that provide this perk:

*Information about the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®, JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Unfortunately, Spirit Airlines, the other major low-cost carrier in the US, doesn’t offer this perk with its co-branded card.

It’s worth pointing out that many of these perks are applied automatically based on the loyalty program account linked to the card. However, some airlines require you to pay for your flight ticket with a co-branded card to receive free baggage allowance.

Related: Frontier Airlines now offers free bags to cardholders

Use a travel credit card

Many travelers aren’t loyal to a certain airline, so keeping a United card, for example, doesn’t make much sense if you only travel with United once a year. Thankfully, many of them best credit card for travel, include credits that can cover checked baggage fees when you incur them, and some of these credits aren’t limited to individual airlines.

Here are a few examples:

• Reserve Chase Sapphire®: Each year, Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive maximum $300 travel credit that applies to almost every travel-related purchase, including checked baggage fees. Any qualifying purchases will be automatically credited back to you within a day or two of posting to your account.
• American Express Platinum® Card: Amex Platinum offers cardholders maximum $200 statement credit per calendar year to cover incidental costs such as seat assignments, lounge passes, and checked baggage fees (registration required to enjoy some benefits). The only downside is that you have to specify a single airline at the beginning of the calendar year, so you can’t use this on multiple airlines.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: The Hilton Aspire Card offers an annual airline fee credit of up to $200 per year ($50 per quarter), which works just like the Amex Platinum credit (registration required for some benefits). If you have both cards, you can designate two separate airlines, one for each card.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: If you can’t accept a large annual fee, consider going open Premium rewards card from Bank of America. This card comes with a random annual airline fee statement credit of up to $100 that can be used toward checked bag fees, along with a reasonable $95 annual fee.

Information about the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best credit cards with airline fee credits

Additionally, you can find ways to use tags like Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to pay checked baggage fees. The number of miles you earn on this card can be redeemed to pay for travel purchasesso you have the opportunity to use your miles for these purchases.

Book premium cabin tickets

When flying premium class of service, you’ll generally get free checked baggage — which in many cases goes above and beyond the standard weight limit. These policies generally apply whether you pay cash or miles for your ticket, so this can be a great way to use your travel rewards and not have to worry about additional baggage fees .

For example, here are the baggage benefits available to travelers confirmed in premium cabins on American Airlines:

• Premium Economy: Two free checked bags (up to 50 pounds each)
• Domestic First Class: Two free checked bags (maximum 70 pounds each)
• Flagship First and Flagship Business: Three free checked bags (each bag weighing up to 70 pounds)

You can check the operating carrier’s checked baggage page for full details on what’s included for your specific trip.

Related: Get through baggage claim quickly with these 7 tips

Travel to selected destinations

In addition to the above strategies, many airlines offer free checked baggage to all customers traveling to specific areas. For example, American has a list of destinations where all customers can check bags for free, including Argentina, Brazil, China, India and Japan. This also extends to all transatlantic voyages. And if you’re flying from the US to Australia or New Zealand, your free bag might even weigh up to 70 pounds.

However, this usually does not apply to basic economy tickets and there may be seasonal restrictions for some localities.

No matter which airline you fly, be sure to research your baggage allowance in advance so you know what to expect – and don’t get an expensive surprise at the airport.

Bottom line

Whether we like it or not, airline baggage fees (and other incidental fees) are likely to stay the same. On all major US airlines other than Southwest, you’ll typically pay at least $70 for the privilege of checking a bag on a round-trip domestic flight. However, there are many ways you can avoid these fees, including elite statusairline co-branded credit cards and in special cases. There are even some regular credit card can help minimize the impact of these fees.

If you’re new to the world of points and miles, you’ll want to pay close attention to these baggage fees as they can get quite expensive if you take a lot of flights. And with many strategies to prevent this from happening, you’ll hopefully rarely have to pay checked baggage fees.