Travelore Tips: A Guide To Airline Baggage Fees And Policies

Airline baggage fees have been around for years. Yet, somehow, they still cause confusion and, for some, some budget surprises. However, savvy travelers can plan ahead, and possibly even save, if they dig into the fine print from the airlines. What is the cost for one or more bags? Do I have to factor in weight and size limitations? Does it cost more to bring one heavy bag or two lighter bags? Do I have to pay for skis or car seats? What are the baggage fees and policies for flying international vs domestic? What will fees add to the cost of my flight?

To help travelers get a better handle on this tricky aspect of flying, the travel experts at Cheapflights have compiled Check mate: A guide to airline baggage fees and policies.

As part of its research, Cheapflights polled 400 Americans and Canadians and found that 66% prefer to carry on their luggage for domestic flights, perhaps reflecting that bag fees are shaping travel habits.

When it came to international flights, however, people were almost evenly divided with 49.5% preferring to carry on their luggage and 50.5% preferring to check it.

In terms of how much to pay, among those polled, 41% of travelers felt it appropriate to pay $25 or less to check baggage.

A slightly smaller group (38% of travellers) were comfortable paying $50 or less, while 14% were willing to pay up to $75 to check their bags and only 7% were willing to pay as much as $100 to check their bags for a flight.

The range of responses to the survey fit with the wide range of rules for the airlines. From total baggage allowances to weight limits to different policies for domestic flights (in the airlines’ home country) to international flights, there’s a lot to know and understand for each airline. Here are a few key takeaways:

Second Bag Flies Free

For those who really want freedom from checked bag fees, check out these airlines that not only offer the first checked bag for free on both domestic and international flights but in fact offer a second checked bag for free.

1. Air India
2. All Nippon Airways
3. Emirates
4. Japan Airlines
5. Southwest Airlines

Other airlines, such as Etihad, Aurigny Air Services, Eva Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways let passengers check 2 bags if the total weight is less than 66lbs (30kg). And Korean Airlines, Philippines Airlines, China Eastern and Turkish Airlines permit 2 checked pieces if the total weight is 44lbs (20kg) or less.

Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t charge for a second bag on international flights while Korean Air includes two free bags on domestic flights if the combined weight doesn’t exceed 44lbs (20kg).

The Carry-On Club

Some airlines take their à la carte pricing model to the extreme, including only a personal item that fits under your seat as part of the price of the ticket. If you want to bring a larger carry-on, these airlines will add these charges:

1. Allegiant Air – US$15-$25 (depending on destination)
2. Frontier Airlines – US$30-$35
3. Spirit Airlines – US$35
4. Wow Airlines – US$20-$40

Travelore Tips: How To Navagate Confusing Airline Fees

Contributed by Scott Mayerowitz, AP.

 The Department of Transportation on Wednesday proposed a new set of rules aimed at protecting airline passengers by requiring more disclosure of airline fees. Here are some common questions regarding the plethora of fees that fliers face today:

Q: When was the first checked bag fee?

A: American Airlines in May 2008 became the first major U.S. carrier to charge a fee for checking a suitcase. (Discount airlines like Allegiant and Spirit already had such a fee.) The other large airlines quickly followed.

Q: Why did they do it?

A: In 2004, U.S. airlines were paying an average of $1.15 a gallon for jet fuel. By May of 2008, the cost had nearly tripled to $3.23 a gallon. Airlines that year burned through nearly 18 billion gallons of fuel. Passengers make decisions whether to fly based on price, and the bag fees were a way for airlines to collect more money without jacking up ticket prices and scaring away customers.

Q: How much money does that bring in for the airlines?

A: The typical bag fee is $25 for the first checked suitcase, $35 for the second. That added up to $3.4 billion last year. Airlines collected another $2.8 billion from flight change fees, typically $200.

Q: Are there other fees?

A: Yes, too many to easily count. Most airlines offer early boarding, priority security screening and extra legroom for a fee. Some airlines charge for any advance seat assignment. Others charge to place a bag in the overhead bin. Some charge extra for water or soda.

Q: Don't consumers know about these fees prior to booking?

A: Most fliers now know that airlines charge some type of fee for checking luggage. The other fees are often a surprise. Airlines are required to post charts with all their fees on their websites, but they can often be hard to find, and confusing. For instance, United Airlines charges $9 to $299 for extra legroom, the price fluctuating depending on length of the trip and demand for that flight. Passengers booking tickets through Expedia or Orbitz, or searching on sites like Kayak aren't given the same details.

Q: How would this latest proposed rule change that?

A: The third-party sites and airfare search aggregators would, for the first time, have to disclose the fees. Additionally, airlines would have to calculate fees for a passenger's specific flight, factoring in any elite status.

Q: What about taxes and government fees?

A: Two years ago, the DOT required airlines to include taxes and related government fees in the price shown for flights, including all advertisements. Previously, airlines would only display the base fare, often giving passengers sticker shock when they booked. The airlines are now going to Congress to try and reverse that rule saying it's not fair. Department stores, they argue, don't have to include sales tax in the advertised price of a pair of jeans. The bill even has its own Orwellian doublespeak name: the Transparent Airfares Act.