Airline Baggage Fees

Airline Baggage Fees - Mandatory Now!
By Meritt

While I'm always keeping an eye on great sales and affordable travel, the recent change in baggage fee's makes a huge difference in the cost of your trip. We have a family of 5 and the extra fee now imposed for bringing any luggage with us can now up the cost of the trip by about a hundred dollars. The confusing thing is that all the airlines are different! There is no 'one' universal fee at this time and it's up to you to be on top of the changes the airline makes so you aren't surprised at check-in to see you now owe an additional $20-50 per person for luggage as well as $15-35 each for an aisle seat or bulk head seating. Everything is starting to cost 'extra' these days (prepare to pay $2 for a can of soda and $5 for a little snack pack as well) and if you haven't budgeted for these you might start out your trip on a bad foot!

I live in the Midwest and checked with my local airport to get the latest information they had on luggage fee's for our area. Here is an update that is recent as of August, 2008. If in doubt, please contact your airline directly about week before you travel to check for updates!!!!

Allegiant Air
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): $15 per bag for two bags when
purchased at the time of booking; $25 per bag for two bags when purchased at
check-in.
EXCEPTIONS: Wheelchairs, other mobility aids, and assistive devices used by
an individual with a disability.
BABY GEAR: One infant stroller and one infant or child safety seat will be
checked for each fare-paying passenger at no charge.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: A golf bag, including clubs, balls, and shoes, can
be substituted for one of the checked bags for the $10 fee. Bicycles, when
properly crated in a bicycle carton, will be accepted as baggage for a charge of
$50 each. Check current fees: http://www.allegiantair.com/aaFAQ.php

American Airlines (American Eagle)
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag, on tickets purchased June 15 or later.
EXCEPTIONS: Wheelchairs and other assistive devices
BABY GEAR: Strollers and car seats don’t count as baggage items.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be substituted for a check-in.
Bicycles less than 62-inches (linear measure) and under 50 pounds can be
substituted for a check-in. Otherwise they are $100. Check current fees:
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAll
owance.jsp

Delta
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag free, second bag $50.
EXCEPTIONS: Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, provided
passenger is dependent on them. *** Note that you may not check baggage any
later than :30 prior to departure.
BABY GEAR: Stroller not counted as checked luggage if taken to gate.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: One golf bag or bicycle in a box not exceeding 62
inches can be substituted for your free baggage allowance. Check current fees:
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/index.jsp

Continental Express
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag free, second bag $25.
EXCEPTIONS: There is no charge for wheelchairs.
BABY GEAR: Car seats and strollers may be checked free
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Continental Airlines will accept a standard-sized
bicycle or golf bag and clubs in lieu of one piece of free baggage.
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/check.aspx

Midwest Airlines
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag free, second bag $20 after June 16.
EXCEPTIONS: Wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
BABY GEAR: Stroller not counted as checked luggage if taken to gate.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be transported without charge in lieu of the free checked bag. Bicycles are $80 each way.
http://www.midwestairlines.com/MAWeb/travelPlanner/travelPolicies/baggage.aspx

Northwest Airlines
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag free, second bag $25. 3rd
bag is $100. Overweight bags: 51-70lbs. is $50 extra. NO BAGS OVER 70lbs.
EXCEPTIONS: Wheelchairs and other assistive devices and up to 10 pounds of
fruit from Hawaii or Florida are exempt.

BABY GEAR: There is no charge for car seats or strollers.

RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be transported without charge in lieu of the free checked bag. Bicycles are $100 each way.
Check current fees: http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/checked.html

United Airlines
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag $15, second bag $25. Starting August 18, 2008

EXCEPTIONS: An extra wheelchair may be checked and not be part of your checked bag allowance (or assessed a fee) if it is strictly for mobility purposes or is required to make a living. Other medical assistive devices are also exempt .

BABY GEAR: There is no charge for checking car seats and strollers.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be transported without charge in lieu of the free checked bag. Bicycles are $100 each way. Check current fees:
http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6823,1031,00.htmlnavSource=Dropdown07&linkTitle=baggage

US Airways
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag $15 (except on tickets booked prior to July 9th), second bag $25.

EXCEPTIONS: Passengers checking personal assistive devices.

BABY GEAR: Stroller not counted as checked luggage if taken to gate.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be transported without charge in lieu of the free checked bag. Bicycles are $100 each way. Check current fees:
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/baggage/baggagepolicies.aspx