Comments on: Airline Fees for Checking Bags http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/ A premiere personal finance blog, established 2003. Within, Flexo discusses his own experiences with money, and he and other authors comment on a wide range of personal finance topics. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:42:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: SavingDiva http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193649 SavingDiva Mon, 18 May 2009 03:18:41 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193649 Before airlines started charging for checked luggage, I used to overpack. In order to save $25 (I usually fly Northwest or United), I have started packing in a carry-on for up to week long trips. While it requires some planning, I only miss my full size products! :) Before airlines started charging for checked luggage, I used to overpack. In order to save $25 (I usually fly Northwest or United), I have started packing in a carry-on for up to week long trips. While it requires some planning, I only miss my full size products! :)

]]> By: Eric http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193572 Eric Fri, 15 May 2009 06:10:39 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193572 I hate to jinx Southwest, but I am SO GLAD they're the major airline in my airport hub. They did good with their oil hedges and I hope they stay that way! I hate to jinx Southwest, but I am SO GLAD they’re the major airline in my airport hub. They did good with their oil hedges and I hope they stay that way!

]]> By: Ron http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193571 Ron Fri, 15 May 2009 02:52:01 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193571 I have started sending my bags ahead to my hotel via FedEx. Then I take a few items in a carry on and life is GOOD. I pack light anyway. I have started sending my bags ahead to my hotel via FedEx. Then I take a few items in a carry on and life is GOOD. I pack light anyway.

]]> By: Flexo http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193570 Flexo Fri, 15 May 2009 00:20:24 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193570 Thanks for the updates! I added in Alaska Airlines and U.S. Airways. Thanks for the updates! I added in Alaska Airlines and U.S. Airways.

]]> By: Erica Douglass http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193567 Erica Douglass Thu, 14 May 2009 19:44:11 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193567 Hi Flexo, Thanks! I typically fly Southwest, but it's good to see the other airlines. Southwest isn't the most comfortable for long-term flights. Used to fly America West (now US Air) often enough to get the free tickets, but since they became US Air their flights have become far more expensive than Southwest. Southwest tip: Check in online EXACTLY 24 hours (to the minute!) for your flight to get the highest A number boarding pass. I set a reminder on my phone for this. You can check in online even if you don't have a printer; just check in 24 hours ahead, then reprint your boarding pass at the airport. -Erica Hi Flexo,

Thanks! I typically fly Southwest, but it’s good to see the other airlines. Southwest isn’t the most comfortable for long-term flights. Used to fly America West (now US Air) often enough to get the free tickets, but since they became US Air their flights have become far more expensive than Southwest.

Southwest tip: Check in online EXACTLY 24 hours (to the minute!) for your flight to get the highest A number boarding pass. I set a reminder on my phone for this. You can check in online even if you don’t have a printer; just check in 24 hours ahead, then reprint your boarding pass at the airport.

-Erica

]]> By: Kelly http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193565 Kelly Thu, 14 May 2009 16:46:17 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193565 You can find details about US Airways here: http://www.usairways.com/awa/Content/traveltools/baggage/baggagepolicies.aspx They may be the worst of the bunch since they will start charging a $5 fee if you don't prepay online for your bags. Yes, you read that right! With US Airways you can NOT avoid the fees by being a frequent flier member, only if you are a preferred member (meaning you spend a LOT of time flying). You can find details about US Airways here: http://www.usairways.com/awa/Content/traveltools/baggage/baggagepolicies.aspx

They may be the worst of the bunch since they will start charging a $5 fee if you don’t prepay online for your bags. Yes, you read that right!
With US Airways you can NOT avoid the fees by being a frequent flier member, only if you are a preferred member (meaning you spend a LOT of time flying).

]]> By: Enrique S http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193562 Enrique S Thu, 14 May 2009 14:57:04 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193562 On our recent vacation, we carried on all of our bags. It was the first time doing so, and it worked out fine. We flew on JetBlue, and were each allowed a carryon and a smaller bag. Not checking your luggage has many advantages (no lost bags being one of them), and brings another dimension to packing. We definitely brought less stuff than usual, and still had items that weren't even used. On our recent vacation, we carried on all of our bags. It was the first time doing so, and it worked out fine. We flew on JetBlue, and were each allowed a carryon and a smaller bag. Not checking your luggage has many advantages (no lost bags being one of them), and brings another dimension to packing. We definitely brought less stuff than usual, and still had items that weren’t even used.

]]> By: Baker http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193561 Baker Thu, 14 May 2009 14:40:51 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193561 Awesome list. This would be a great resource for people to check with before they book. These fees can sneak up on you sometimes. We personally love flying Southwest and I'm glad they don't charge for the first two bags. I honestly feel they do a great job all-around! Awesome list. This would be a great resource for people to check with before they book. These fees can sneak up on you sometimes.

We personally love flying Southwest and I’m glad they don’t charge for the first two bags. I honestly feel they do a great job all-around!

]]> By: Amber http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193559 Amber Thu, 14 May 2009 14:20:35 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193559 US Airways. $15 for the first bag until June 1, I believe, when it jumps to $17. $25 and $27 for the second and on up but I never check more than one so I'm not certain. US Airways. $15 for the first bag until June 1, I believe, when it jumps to $17. $25 and $27 for the second and on up but I never check more than one so I’m not certain.

]]> By: Olivia http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193557 Olivia Thu, 14 May 2009 14:10:47 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193557 Thanks for this list! This is one of the main reasons why I try to always fly Southwest. They also have less fees all around than other airlines and you get to choose where you sit on a first come first serve basis. I love Southwest! Thanks for this list! This is one of the main reasons why I try to always fly Southwest. They also have less fees all around than other airlines and you get to choose where you sit on a first come first serve basis. I love Southwest!

]]> By: Jason H http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193556 Jason H Thu, 14 May 2009 13:48:16 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193556 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air has baggage fees of $15 for first, $25 for second, and $50 for third. Also until the end of the year they have a guarantee. From their website: "if your baggage is not at the baggage claim within 25 minutes of your plane parking at the gate, you're entitled to a certificate for either a discount code for $25 off a future Alaska or Horizon flight or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan bonus miles" Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air has baggage fees of $15 for first, $25 for second, and $50 for third. Also until the end of the year they have a guarantee. From their website: “if your baggage is not at the baggage claim within 25 minutes of your plane parking at the gate, you’re entitled to a certificate for either a discount code for $25 off a future Alaska or Horizon flight or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan bonus miles”

]]> By: melane nelson http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2009/05/14/airline-fees-for-checking-bags/#comment-193555 melane nelson Thu, 14 May 2009 13:20:58 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/?p=6264#comment-193555 Not a major airline, but nice to add to the list anyway. Allegiant Airlines, $15 for first checked bag, $25 for second checked bag. These apply only if purchased at time of booking. Otherwise, it is $25 for first checked bag and $35 for second checked bag; additional higher fees for 3 or more bags. Bags that are "gate-checked" are $35. Not a major airline, but nice to add to the list anyway.

Allegiant Airlines, $15 for first checked bag, $25 for second checked bag. These apply only if purchased at time of booking. Otherwise, it is $25 for first checked bag and $35 for second checked bag; additional higher fees for 3 or more bags. Bags that are “gate-checked” are $35.

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