7 Smart Ways To Bypass Baggage Fees
In the first quarter of 2010, the U.S. airline industry made more than $760 million in revenue from baggage fees, an increase of 33 percent over the same period last year. These numbers imply that legions of passengers are continuing to shell out hundreds of dollars for optional charges that can be avoided with modest effort.
 Naturally, packing light is one of the best ways to avoid these extra fees. But traveling with the bare minimum isn't always an option — especially for passengers taking month-long cruises or families that need multiple pieces of luggage. Even those of us who've mastered the art of packing light are getting hit with full-size fees. Spirit Airlines recently added a downright obscene carry-on fee of up to $45 (starting August 1), and a single checked bag costs as much as $50 per roundtrip flight on most major airlines. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid the industry's barrage of baggage fees — tricks that the airlines probably don't want you to know about.
Know your policy
Navigating the airlines' complicated baggage policies is no small undertaking. Baggage fees change constantly, and can vary by airline, destination, date of travel, number of bags, and bag weight and size. Even if you've secured an affordable plane ticket, you could end up paying a lot more than you bargained for when flying on a carrier that charges baggage fees.
Join a frequent flier program
Travelers who fly often can save on baggage fees by joining their favorite airline's frequent flier program. Virtually all major airlines offer some kind of frequent flier program that includes baggage fee discounts or waivers for "elite" or "preferred" members. (Most airlines, including the big ones — Continental, American, United, US Airways, Delta — bestow elite or preferred status on frequent flier members who've flown at least 25,0000 miles with the airline.) Contact your airline to learn more about its frequent flier program benefits.
Fly on a discount airline
Kudos to the no-frills discount airlines that don't charge travelers the price of a steak dinner just to check a bag. Southwest Airlines allows two checked bags per passenger, while JetBlue lets passengers check one bag for free. Unfortunately, not all discount airlines have magnanimous baggage policies. As of August 1, 2010, Spirit Airlines will charge travelers $45 ($30 when reserved online) for carry-on bags that don't fit under the seat, in addition to its checked bag fees.
Take the train
While airlines are charging left and right for big bags, extra bags and even carry-on bags (we're looking at you, Spirit), train travel is a different story. Amtrak's baggage allowance policy says passengers may carry on up to two pieces of luggage (not including personal items like purses, strollers or computer bags) and check up to three pieces of luggage — for free! Additional bags cost a surprisingly low $10 per bag.
Use a luggage scale
Overweight baggage fees can be exceedingly more expensive than checked bag fees. Although you may manage to heroically stuff two weeks' worth of clothes into a single checked bag, you could end up paying hundreds of dollars per swollen, overweight piece of luggage (Delta charges as much as $450 each way for each checked bag that weighs more than 71 pounds on some International flights.
Travel Leaders/Future Travel 281-480-1988 www.travelleaders.com/future. |
