When it comes to baggage fees, it's important to understand the baggage allowance policies of the airline you're flying. Baggage allowances are airline and route specific, and the total number of bags, the dimensions and weight, vary by the fare type purchased per passenger. Most restricted fares such as "basic economy" or fares on low-cost carriers may not include any bags beyond a personal item as part of the fare; or, the carrier may impose a reduced weight limit which is where baggage fee comes in. For domestic sectors (within the U.S.) the costs can start from US$30.00 for the first checked bag and increase with the number of bags accordingly.

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A good rule of thumb is low-cost carriers (such as Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country, etc.) charge for anything other than a personal item (purse, small backpack). The full-service airlines (American, United, Delta, etc.) usually charge customers that book Economy fares for all checked baggage. Note: If you book a Basic Economy fare on a full-service airline, you may have to pay to bring a carry-on bag.

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These dimensions are based on general baggage policies for domestic travel within the United States. It may differ for some airlines. Some general guidelines to be mindful of:

• Personal item (e.g., purse, small backpack, etc.): Dimensions must not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels.
• Carry-on bag: Maximum of 22 x 18 x10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm) including handles and wheels.
• Checked bag: Maximum of 62 linear inches (length + width + height; 158 cm) including handles and wheels. Weight limits vary by airline and cabin class and range from 40-70 pounds.

If you booked your flight with us, you can check your specific flight details by entering your Booking ID and email address in the section above. You can review the general baggage information for each airline by selecting an airline from the drop down menu above.

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In most cases, a basic economy fare only covers the ticket itself and rarely includes amenities like checked luggage. It shall be noted that basic economy is a restrictive airfare class that offers passengers the lowest ticket price available in exchange for giving up some of the standard amenities of an economy ticket.

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For many airlines, by booking Main Economy tickets, you can have standard baggage allowances. However, with Basic economy tickets, you are not allowed check-in baggage and only 1 personal item is allowed in carry-on baggage.

Generally speaking, flying basic economy is like a legacy airline's version of a budget carrier experience (though some budget carriers do offer their own basic economy fare in addition to bundled packages).

Several amenities, such as baggage, that are included in main economy fares are left out of the basic economy fare in order to cut costs. These amenities are often offered a la carte during the booking process for separate added fees as opposed to being folded up into the single price of a main economy fare.

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Most basic economy tickets include one full-sized carry-on bag and one small personal item, though this policy differs depending on airline and route. Make sure to read up on your flight's baggage allowance rules when booking a basic economy ticket so you know exactly what to expect and don't get stuck checking your bag at the gate for an inflated fee.

For instance, on flights within North America, the Caribbean, and Central America, United limits basic economy passengers to a single personal item and no full-sized carry-ons unless you're a MileagePlus Premier member or are a MileagePlus Premier member companion traveling on the same reservation. Customers flying basic economy on transatlantic routes enjoy the same baggage allowance as main economy passengers (one carry-on bag and one small personal item).

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Yes, baggage fees are charged on a per passenger basis. Generally speaking, fees are charged per direction by the airline, per passenger by the airline (if applicable).

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If you booked a Basic Economy fare (the most restrictive fare type on full-service airlines) or you're booked on a low cost carrier (Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, etc.), a carry on bag will incur an additional fee (if allowed). Some airlines do not allow a carry-on when you book a Basic Economy fare. When you book regular Economy fares with a full-service airline, a carry-on is included in the fare booked.

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Many international carriers include a checked bag as part of the ticket cost, but some U.S. carriers still charge a fee for a checked bag. The best way to understand what is and isn't included is to look up the airline and fare type booked. You can look up that information here.

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We recommend you arrive at the airport at least 2-3 hours before your scheduled departure if you plan to check baggage. Most airlines require you get your bags checked in at least 60 minutes prior to departure for domestic U.S. flights and at least 90 minutes prior to departure for international flights. These are general guidelines and take it from us, you don't want to miss your flight because you were waiting in line to check your bag, do you? Give yourself as much time as possible for your own peace of mind.

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Yes. It usually costs more to check a bag at the airport than if you pre-purchase carry-on (if applicable) or checked baggage. Basically, the closer you get to the gate, the more baggage fees go up. Many airlines will charge an additional fee (i.e. $25) if you bring a carry-on but didn't pay for it in advance (if required).

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• Government Restrictions: The Travel Security Administration (TSA) has a list of restricted items for carry-on bags you can review here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all. Generally speaking, you're limited to the amount of liquids and some items are prohibited in carry-ons (i.e. some types of lighters, aerosols, etc.)
• Dimension & weight restrictions: There are some size and weight restrictions for carry-ons and it varies depending on the airline you travel with. Generally, carry-on baggage dimensions are 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm) including handles and wheels. There may be a weight restriction so check your airline before you pack to make sure your carry-on bag meets the general requirements.

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Yes, you can! If your flights are booked under one confirmation number you do not have to check-in again at the transit airport as both boarding passes and checked baggage will be checked through to the final destination.

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In case of lost, damaged or mishandled baggage, a report should filed with the airline within 24 hours of arrival, and ideally before you leave the airport.If you purchased baggage protection service when you made your booking with us, please contact us at +1-216-302-2732 once you've filed your missing baggage report with the airline.

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If you have pre-purchased baggage your e-ticket email will include the information.You can locate the information on your e-ticket here:

If you pre-purchased baggage, rest assured your information has been shared with the airline and you should be good to go!

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For details regarding TSA prohibited items, please review this web page: - https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

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A wheelchair and other assistive and mobility devices can usually be checked free of charge at the ticket counter or the gate.

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If you're planning to travel with sport equipment or a musical instrument, you may need to follow a special check-in procedure and there may be an additional fee. Let us know what you're planning to bring so we can inform you of any additional fees and contact the airline to ensure they can allocate space on the plane or in the hold of the aircraft.

All sports and musical equipment has to be packed appropriately to avoid damage and meet the size and weight restrictions of the airline allowance. Please allow additional time at the airport (at least 15 minutes more than normal), so the item can be safely and securely handed over to the baggage staff. If you made your booking with us, please contact us so we can request this service with the airline on your behalf. You can reach us at +1-216-302-2732.

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• Pick your airline carefully. Some airlines treat sports equipment as a regular piece of checked baggage and even permit it under the free baggage allowance (if the fare type includes baggage). Make sure to check with the airline before booking to understand their policies regarding sporting equipment such as golf clubs, bikes, surfboards, etc.)
• Can it fit in a ''normal bag? Sure there's no way you can make a surfboard look like something else, but a bike can be dismantled into frames and wheels then packed discreetly into regular bags. Read up on the dimensions allowed for the airline you're flying, then think about what will fit within their normal baggage specs. This approach may help you skirt the 'special item' fees!
• Do you really need to take it? We understand competitive sporting events likely require your own equipment but if you're traveling for fun, maybe you can rent the equipment at the destination? Take stock of the fees you'll be paying for the 'special item' and compare that to your rental options where you're going. This could be an opportunity to demo some new clubs, try a new bike or catch some waves on a new board! If you'll be traveling for a longer period of time, you can also get it shipped to your destination via DHL, UPS, or similar service.

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Lifts: Contact your hotel ahead of time to see if they provide ceiling hoists or lifts for people who need wheelchair assistance. If they do, you can leave your own lift behind at home and avoid carrying an additional item. 
Take along a foldable bath chair – It may not be feasible to use a foldable bath chair on a daily basis, but they are pretty useful when it comes to traveling. Moreover, some of the shower chairs come with the variation of being able to be folded and placed into a suitcase, which will help you a great deal in waving extra fees levied on ‘special items.’

Wheelchairs and scooters: Notify your airline in advance if you require wheelchair assistance or if you’ll need to check a wheelchair. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation:

• Airlines are required to accept for transport at least one manual wheelchair in aircraft with 100 or more seats.
• If your wheelchair does not fit in the cabin of the aircraft, airline personnel are required to stow it in the cargo portion of the aircraft free of charge.

If you need assistance at the airport or you would like to check your wheelchair, get to the check-in counter even earlier than recommended. The airlines suggest adding an additional 60 minutes to your arrival so for domestic U.S. flights, that means arriving at least 2-3 hours before departure. For international flights, you’ll want to arrive 4-5 hours before departure.

Finally, inform your airline if you plan to bring an electric wheelchair with you.  Its battery may require in-flight special storage.         
CPAP Machines – As per the rules of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), travelers are allowed to bring CPAP machines in the aircraft cabin as long as they follow the rules and furnish the airline with valid documentation from the doctor. As per the Americans with Disabilities Act, medical items are not considered carry-on items. However, it’s ideal to confirm with the airline in advance in order to use the machine onboard.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC):  If you plan to travel with an oxygen tank, t only pre-approved oxygen tanks are allowed to be checked in. Make sure you have the required documentation from your doctor in advance and notify the airline in advance about your requirements

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Flying with toddlers or young children can be unnerving for most parents but for those of you that are up to the task, you’ll undoubtedly have a lot of gear you’ll want to bring with you! Bringing strollers, car seats, pack and plays, and other family essentials can tack on extra baggage fees at the airport, but you might be surprised at what doesn’t come at an extra cost!

Strollers: All airlines (even low-cost carriers) allow one stroller per passenger to be checked at no additional charge and it does not count towards the baggage allowance. You can check the stroller in at the counter or you can check it at the gate. If you check it in at the counter, that means you can pick it up at baggage claim, but then you may have to carry your child through the airport. If you check it in at the gate, that means you can use the stroller for your child (or for extra storage) as you travel through the airport to your gate; however, if you check it at the gate, you’ll have to wait until the gate agents retrieve your stroller from the cargo hold before heading to baggage claim or customs.

Car seats: Children’s car seats are another item that can be checked in at no additional cost and don’t count as part of the standard baggage allowance. Similar to strollers, you can check it in at the counter or at the gate. If the car seat is FAA-approved, you can take it on the plane with you if you purchased a seat for your child. Yes, you can change it and hope there’s an empty seat next to you, but flights are running pretty full these days! If you decide to check your car seat, you may want to wrap it in a bag to prevent it from getting dirty. After all, your little one will be sitting in it so you want to keep it as clean as possible!

Rent or borrow the necessary baby essentials – Instead of carrying a car seat, stroller, pack and play, or any other item your child may need, consider what’s available at the destination. If you’re staying at a hotel, will they have what you need? If you’re renting a car, can you rent a car seat there? Do you have any friends or family at the destination that already have these items and are no longer using them? You can also look into having your baby gear shipped to your destination. Depending on what your family will need, that might be cheaper than paying any extra baggage fees.

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If you want (and need) to take a lot of baggage on your trip, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the costs and policies for the airline you’re flying Generally speaking, the more bags you check, the more expensive it is for each additional bag. Airline policies vary quite a bit when it comes to extra and overweight baggage. Check this link to find your airline, and read up on the costs and restrictions you should expect based on the size, dimensions and weight of the baggage you plan to bring.. While the costs may seem shocking, when you compare excess/overweight baggage fees with the costs to ship items, this could actually be less expensive (as long as you’re willing to transport the baggage to and from the airport!)

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Pack light! It’s a no-brainer that this is the smartest and easiest way to ditch checked baggage fees. It’s also one way to avoid losing your bags in transit.  If your fare includes carry-on luggage, you can make the most of that space and avoid checking any bags! If your fare type does not include a carry-on, you’ll want to compare the cost for the carry-on versus checking the first bag. Some airlines charge more for a carry-on than a checked bag so it may pay to do a little research before deciding!

Consider shipping your luggage – This is certainly unconventional, but there’s a whole industry sprouting up that will ship your bags to/from your destination. Do some research on these options if you’re the type that just doesn’t want to deal with bags when traveling! 

Upgrade your flight – Flying in premium cabins (premium economy, business and first) usually come with some added perks. Depending on where (and when) you’re flying, it may be worth it to look at the difference in fare types and do the math on how much you would be paying in baggage fees. Many airlines include 1 or 2 free checked bags in premium cabins and when you fly business or first, the weight limit usually shoots up from 50 lbs. to 70 pounds!

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Low-cost carriers (LCC) like Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country have rock bottom fares, but they also charge for baggage (both carry-on and checked baggage) - unless you’re part of their loyalty program or opted into a membership.

Full-service airlines (such as American, United, Delta, etc.) have different types of fares in Economy, some of which are highly restrictive. For instance, if you book a basic economy flight on United, you can NOT bring a carry-on. If you want to bring more than a personal item, you’ll have to purchase a checked bag. If you purchase a regular Economy fare, you will have the option to bring a carry-on, but if you want to check a bag, you’ll have to pay a fee. The full-service airlines do offer some options to waive baggage fees, but those are reserved for specific types of frequent flyers and/or customers with specific credit cards.

Then, you have Southwest Airlines. Currently, they’re the only airline in the U.S. that includes a carry-on plus two checked bags for all fares booked. No memberships or loyalty status is required.

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A bag is a bag, right? Not when it comes to boarding a plane! The best way to gauge what type of bag the airline is talking about...

A Personal Item – A majority of the airlines allow passengers to bring a personal item alongside a carry-on item. A personal item can include a purse, camera case, laptop bag, handbag, an umbrella, a diaper bag, briefcase, a jacket or coat and food to eat during the flight. The personal item could be a purse or small backpack, basically it should fit under the seat in front of you.

A Carry-on – Also known as cabin baggage or hand baggage, carry-on baggage are items which passengers are allowed to bring along with them into the cabin of the aircraft. The baggage isn’t checked into the aircraft hold and has to be stowed in the overhead bin.  This bag is too big to fit in the seat in front of you. Most airlines have a “sizer” at the gate or at the check-in counters. Use it if you’re in doubt! The gate agents have a keen eye and know bag sizes. Don’t try to negotiate with the agent if your bag doesn’t fit in the sizer. (You won’t win because the bag will NOT fit in the overhead compartment.)

A Checked Bag – A checked bag is the item of baggage sent via the cargo of the airline. These bags are too big to fit in the overhead and/or their weight exceeds the limit of what can go in the overhead compartment (i.e. 40 pounds on most U.S. airlines).

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