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| The Cost of Checked Luggage |
Submitted by:
Tip Hero 08/26/2009 5:28 PM
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The airlines are constantly changing their policies in response to the struggling economy. One of the most volatile policies has to do with checked luggage, which seems to change constantly and varies by airline -- including who charges for what number of bags, fees per bag, and weight restrictions. So we thought it would be helpful to list all the fees and other key checked luggage rules, as well as direct links to each airline's policies, so that you can plan accordingly and save money the next time you travel.
Here's the latest info for checked luggage for domestic travel on domestic airlines (based on research conducted on 8/26/09). Note that only JetBlue and Southwest don't charge (the first bag is free on JetBlue; the first and second bags are free on Southwest):
Air Tran Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $15
2nd Bag: $25
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $39/bag until October 1, 2009 when there will be NO FEE (62-70inches); $79 for 71-80 inches
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $39/bag until October 1, 2009 when fees increase to $49/bag(51-70lbs); $79/bag (71-100lbs)
Other: Baggage weighing over 100 pounds will not be accepted.
American Airlines Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $15 (current fee) - for tickets purchased after August 14, 2009 fee is $20
2nd Bag: $25 (current fee) - for tickets purchased after August 14, 2009 fee is $30
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $150/bag
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $50/bag (50-69.9lbs), $100/bag (70.1-100lbs)
Other: Items larger than 115 inches and 100lbs will not be accepted.
Continental Airlines Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $20 as of July 21, 2009
2nd Bag: $30 as of July 21, 2009
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $100/bag (62 linear inches)
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $50/bag (50-70lbs), Baggage weighing over 70lbs will not be accepted.
Other: Customers checking in and pre-paying for bags at continental.com will pay $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag. The $5 service fee does not apply to customers seated in First or BusinessFirst, OnePass Elite members, customers traveling on full-fare economy (Y) class tickets, or active military personnel.
Delta Airlines Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $15 online; $20 at airport
2nd Bag: $25 online; $30 at airport
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $175/bag (63-80inches)
O
ver-Weight Luggage Fee: $90/bag (51-70lbs), $175/bag (71-100lbs)
Other: Note the $5 surcharge for bags checked via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. There is no surcharge for bags prepaid during online check-in at delta.com.
Jet Blue Baggage Policy
1st Bag: Free up to 50lbs
2nd Bag: $30 (unless you booked prior to June 2, 2009)
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $75/bag
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $50/bag (51-70lbs), $100/bag (71-99lbs)
Midwest Airlines Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $15
2nd Bag: $25
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $80
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $50/bag (51-70lbs), $65/bag (71-100lbs)
Northwest Airlines Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $15 online; $20 at airport
2nd Bag: $25 online; $30 at airport
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $175/bag (63-80inches), over 80 inches is not accepted.
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $90/bag (51-70lbs), $175/bag (71-100lbs)
Other: Note the $5 surcharge for bags checked via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. There is no surcharge for customers who pre-pay baggage fees online at nwa.com. WorldPerks Elite and SkyMiles Medallion members can check up to 2 bags for free.
Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy
1st Bag: Free
2nd Bag: Free
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $50/bag (63-80inches)
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $50/bag (51-100lbs)
Other: Items over 100lbs will not be accepted.
United Airlines Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $15 online, $20 at airport
2nd Bag: $25 online, $30 at airport
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $175/bag, bags over 62 inches will not be accepted.
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $125/bag (50-100lbs), bags over 100lbs will not be accepted.
Other: Note the $5 surcharge for bags checked via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. There is no surcharge for customers who pre-pay baggage fees online.
US Airways Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $20 (current fee) - for tickets purchased after August 26, 2009 fee will be $25
2nd Bag: $30 - for tickets purchased after August 26, 2009 fee will be $35
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $100
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $50/bag (51-70lbs), $100/bag (71-100lbs)
Other: Note book online and save $5
Virgin America Baggage Policy
1st Bag: $20 up to 70lbs
2nd Bag: $20 up to 50lbs
Over-Size Luggage Fee: $50lbs (63-80inches)
Over-Weight Luggage Fee: $50 (51-70lbs), $100 (71-100lbs)
Other: First Class passengers may check one bag up to 70lbs and one bag up to 50lbs free of charge. |
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