Airlines Charge Multiple Fees For Excess Baggage

"Checked baggage, especially excess weight baggage, has been a major issue since last fall," states Parsons. "Recently we saw Southwest Airlines reduce free checked baggage from three bags to two. Last summer travelers who checked bags exceeding 50 to 70 pounds had to pay an additional $25 each way. Today American, United, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Virgin America and US Airways have increased the charge to $50 each way for excess weight checked bags. This new fee will catch the traveling public off guard - costing them a very pretty $100 bill roundtrip for an excess weight bag even if it is one bag that exceeds 50 pounds," observes Tom Parsons.

It should be noted however, that Northwest Airlines, AirTran, Alaska Air, Midwest Airlines and Southwest Airlines are the only remaining major airlines still maintaining the $25 fee for excess weight bags. Currently, low cost carrier JetBlue still has the best deal for excess weight baggage, charging only $20 for bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds.

Carry-on bags have also become an issue, especially on code share international flights. "This spring break, my daughter is flying to Europe on a class trip," says Parsons. "She is flying from Dallas via Atlanta nonstop to Madrid on Delta Airlines and is permitted to carry a purse and an extra carry-on, such as a small backpack. The school group is returning from Paris to Atlanta on Air France, a Delta code share partner. From Paris back to Atlanta, the students are permitted one carry-on - not two." To add to the confusion, many airlines do not permit excess luggage, overweight or extra bags at all to many international destinations during peak holiday periods. That's just another baggage embargo that will confuse the traveling public or catch them off guard.

"Now if we only had Abbot and Costello around maybe they would be able to figure out who's on first, who's on second and who's on third when it comes to flying with either carry-on or checked bags", adds Parsons.

Parsons suggests you check your airlines ever changing rules and restrictions for carry-on and checked baggage. Use the term "excess baggage" in your online search, or the read the contract of carriage for the most up to date information. And don't check months in advance, but a few days prior to departure. "Baggage restrictions of all kinds are just like the weather, always subject to change," states Parsons.

Air Tran Airways excess baggage fees and restrictions

Alaska Airlines excess baggage fees and restrictions

American Airlines excess baggage fees and restrictions

Continental Airlines excess baggage fees and restrictions

Delta Airlines excess baggage fees and restrictions

Northwest Airlines excess baggage fees and restrictions

Southwest Airlines excess baggage fees and restrictions

Spirit Airlines excess baggage fees and restrictions

United Airlines excess baggage fees and restrictions

US Airways excess baggage fees and restrictions

Virgin America excess baggage fees and restrictions

Share

Email to a Friend