Airline Baggage Fees: Find the Real Cost Before You Book
The cheapest fare is often not the cheapest trip. Add the bags first.
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A $79 fare can turn into a $149 trip once you add a bag each way. Airlines charge for bags in different ways, and the price is not always shown on the first screen. Here is how to find the real cost before you click buy.
Key takeaways
- Compare the total, which is fare plus bags, not the fare alone.
- A federal rule that would require bag fees to be shown up front was blocked by a court for now, so do not count on seeing them early.
- Fees often cost less if you pay online ahead of time than at the airport.
Why you have to look
The U.S. Department of Transportation adopted a rule that would require airlines and ticket sellers to show checked bag, carry on and change fees up front. A federal appeals court has blocked those disclosure requirements for now. Check the Department of Transportation's site for the current status.
Until that is settled, treat the fare you see as a starting point. The fee page of each airline is where the real number lives.
Six steps to the real price
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Count your bags, both ways. Decide if you need a carry on, a checked bag, or neither. A bag fee usually applies each way, so a round trip doubles it.
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Open the airline's baggage fee page. Search for the airline's name plus "baggage fees". Note the price for a first checked bag, a carry on, and the size and weight limits.
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Do the math. Here is an example, not a real fare. A $79 fare plus a $35 bag each way is $149. A $119 fare with a bag included is $119. The "cheaper" fare costs more.
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Check the fare class. The lowest fare class often has the most limits. Some airlines charge for a carry on that goes in the overhead bin on their cheapest fares. Read what the fare includes before you pick it.
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Look for a free bag you already have. Some airline credit cards and loyalty tiers include a checked bag. If you have one, confirm the terms for your fare.
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Pay in advance, and pack to the limit. Prepaying online is often cheaper than paying at the airport. Check the size and weight limits so you do not pay an overweight fee.
Two traps to avoid
- Separate tickets. If you book two tickets on different airlines, each airline's bag rules and fees apply on its own. Add them up for each leg.
- The gate surprise. A carry on that is too big can be sent to the hold, and you may be charged for it. Measure it at home, not at the gate.
The fastest way to avoid the fee
Travel with one carry on that fits the smallest allowed size. Our one bag packing system shows how. If your trip is short, it can save more than any fare deal.
For the same total price habit on other costs, see hotel resort fees and rental car extras. To time the fare itself, read when to actually book.
Your checklist for this week
- ☐ Decide how many bags you will bring on your next trip.
- ☐ Open the fee page for the two airlines you are comparing.
- ☐ Write down the fare plus bags, round trip, for each.
- ☐ Check whether a credit card or status gives you a free bag.
- ☐ Measure your bag against the size limit.
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