Susan Michelle's Compass
Second Thoughts on That Second Bag? Check This Fee Cheat Sheet First
By Susan Michelle
Jun 8, 2008 - 6:42:03 PM

Who ever thought checked luggage would be a “frill”?!  These days it is.  If you haven’t kept up on airline news lately, then you’ve missed the fact that practically every U.S. carrier now charges to check more than one bag.  Now, you really have to think about how much you NEED to take on a trip.  Check 2-3 suitcases, and that low online fare just might not be as cheap as you think.  

Before you book or actually fly again, it pays to know each airline’s baggage restrictions.  How can you keep it all straight?  Here’s a cheat sheet that lists major U.S. airlines’ fees and routes effected for checking a second bag.  These fees are only applicable per leg of your itinerary, so to determine round-trip costs, double the fee listed.  FYI, “Domestic” is defined as the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AIRLINE             2ND BAG FEE                 ROUTES EFFECTED
Air Canada         $25                                North America & the Caribbean
Alaska                $25 (a/o 7/10)                All
Aloha                  OUT OF BUSINESS a/o 3/31/08
American            $15 1st bag (a/o 6/15)    Domestic
                          $25 2nd bag
ATA                    OUT OF BUSINESS a/o 4/3/08
Continental         $25                                 N., Central, & S. America, including the
                                                                 Caribbean, excluding Brazil & the
                                                                 Dominican Republic
Delta                   $25                                Domestic, excluding Canada, Key West, &
                                                                 Marathon, FL (no 2nd bag allowed at all
                                                                 on latter 2)
Frontier               $25 (a/o 6/10)                All
Hawaiian Air        $25 (a/o 6/10)                Hawaii-U.S. Mainland routes only
JetBlue                $20                                All
Midwest               $25                                All
Northwest            $25                                North America & the Caribbean
Spirit Air              $10 online                       All
                           $20 at airport
Southwest           $0                                  All
United                 $25                                Domestic
US Airways          $25                                All except to/from Europe
Virgin America     $25                                All

The best airline in terms of baggage fees?  Southwest.  It’s the only domestic airline that still lets you check TWO bags for FREE.

The worst ?  American, who now charges for any checked bags.

Want to over stuff your first bag to avoid second bag fees?  Fly Virgin America.  Their first checked bag weight limit is 70 pounds.  All the others limit you to 50 pounds and 62 inches all-around (length, width, and height added together).

Any other ways to get around these new restrictions?  Well, if you’re traveling first class, bought a refundable ticket, or are an “elite”-level frequent flyer with the airline, you may be spared from complying.  If you bought your ticket before the airline changed their luggage policies, that’s probably an out, too.  And if you’re flying before an airline’s policy takes effect (see Alaska, American, Frontier, and Hawaiian above), that exception is golden.

For the rest of us, time to prepare for a new era of limited luggage.  Replace your suitcase with an ultra-lightweight one.  Master the liquid restrictions for security lines, and use carry-on luggage only.  Or, ship your things beforehand, and avoid the luggage hassle all together.

However you send your stuff, double-check your airline’s restrictions before your next trip, especially if you’re flying internationally.  Rules aren’t universal, even if the public’s loathsome feelings about these changes are.