The cost of travel is no longer the cost of the airline ticket, but all the extra a-la-cart you may have to pay for such as change fees, checked bags, drink fees, headphone fees, snacks and more.
Don't you dare check three bags, or a bag over 50 lbs, because if you do you will have to refinance your home just to cover the cost.
To see what the major airlines are charging for other fees including making reservations by phone, priority seating and meals/drinks, please click here.
Passengers who purchase full fare unrestricted coach, business class or first class tickets can check two or three bags for free and sometimes they can weigh up to 70 lbs. without a charge. Military passengers flying on active duty orders may also check two bags for free and may not have to adhere to weight and size requirements.
If you are an elite member of a frequent flyer program on one of the major airlines, you may still be able to check two bags for free on that carrier. Some airlines also allow passengers who are listed under the same reservation as an elite member to check up to two bags for free. Be sure to check the contract of carriage for your airline to see their policies. It's always best to contact your airline or check the contract of carriage on their website for any last-minute changes.
We are finding that the biggest fees come from the 3rd or more checked bag and that is overweight and oversize. Some airlines will charge you all three fees if your baggage does not meet their requirements. Please note that fees and policies are subject to change at any time. We recommend that you check with your carrier prior to travel to calculate the fees and to measure, and weigh your luggage so there are no surprises upon checking in.
We suggest that you check with the airlines website directly for international travel as some destinations have certain size, weight, and number of pieces embargoes that do not fall under these general guidelines. Remember these are just general guidelines you will want to get the most up to date information from the airline before checking in.
Checked Baggage Fees Within The USA / Hawaii/ and Canada
| Airline | 1st Checked Bag | 2nd Checked Bag | 3rd Checked Bag | 4th-5th Checked Bag | 6th-10th Checked Bag |
| AirTran | $20 | $25 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Alaska | $20 | $20 | $20 | $50 | $50 |
|
Allegiant *must be under 40 lbs. *carry on fee of $10-$35 |
$15-$35 pre-pay / $35 airport | $15-$35 pre-pay / $35 airport | $50 | $50 | $50 Max 9 bags |
| American | $25 | $35 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Continental / United | $25 | $35 | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Delta | $25 | $35 | $125 | $200 | $200 |
| Frontier | $15 online/ $20 airport | $20 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Hawaiian Air | $23 online/ $25 airport | $32 online/ $35 airport | $125 | $125 | (6th)$125 7th-10th $200 |
| JetBlue | $0 | $40 | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| Southwest | $0 | $0 | $50 | $50 | $50 (10+ $110) |
|
Spirit-*must be under 40 lbs. *carry on fee of $30 |
$28 prepay/ $33 online/ $38 airport | $35 prepay/ $40 online/ $45 airport | $85 prepay/ $90 online $95 airport | $85 prepay/ $90 online $95 airport | Not Allowed |
| United | $25 | $35 | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| US Airways | $25 airport | $35 airport | $125 | $200 | $200 Max 9 bags |
| Virgin America | $25 | $25 | $25 | $25 | $25 |
Domestic Travel Fees
| Airline | Overweight Bag Fee (50-70 lbs) | Overweight Bag Fee (71-99 lbs) | Oversized Bag Fee (62-80") |
| AirTran | $50 | $79 | $50 |
| Alaska | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Allegiant *If your bags is between 40 to 50lbs you will be charged a $50 overweight fee | $50 | $75 | $75 |
| American | $100 | $200 | $200 |
| Continental / United | $100 | $200 | $100 |
| Delta | $90 | $175 | $175 |
| Frontier | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| Hawaiian Air | $50 (interisland $25) | n/a | $100 (interisland $25) |
| JetBlue | $50 | $100 | $75 |
| Southwest | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Spirit *If your bags is between 41-50 lbs you will be charged a $25 overweight fee | $50 | $100 | $100 |
| United | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| US Airways | $90 | $175 | $175 |
| Virgin America | $50 | $100 | $50 |
Domestic Airlines Flying On International Routes Baggage Fees
|
Airline |
Caribbean 1st bag/ 2nd bag |
Mexico 1st bag/ 2nd bag |
South America 1st bag/ 2nd bag |
|
AirTran |
$20/$25 |
$20/$25 |
N/A |
|
American |
free/ $40
|
free/$40 |
$70 |
|
Delta |
$25/$40
|
free/$40 |
free/$60 online $75 apt |
|
United |
$25/$40 |
free/$40 |
Free/$70 |
|
Frontier |
$20/$20 |
$20/$20 |
|
|
US Airways |
$25/$35 |
$25/$35 |
$25/$35 except 2 free to/from Brazil |
|
Virgin America |
N/A |
Free/$25 |
N/A |
International Baggage Fees
|
Airline
|
2nd Checked Bag
|
3rd Checked Bag
|
4th-5th Checked Bag
|
6th-10th Checked Bag
|
Overweight Bag Fee (50-70 lbs)
|
Overweight Bag Fee (71-99 lbs)
|
Oversized Bag Fee (62-80")
|
|
$60
|
varies
|
varies
|
varies
|
$60
|
not allowed
|
varies
|
|
|
$50
|
$285
|
$285
|
$285
|
$150
|
$300
|
$300
|
|
|
$70
|
$100-$200
|
$100-$200
|
$100-$200
|
Up to $100
|
not allowed
|
$200
|
|
|
$50 online/ $55 airport
|
$200
|
$200
|
$200
|
$150
|
$175
|
$175
|
|
|
$48 online/ $60 airport
|
$112-$140
|
$112-$140
|
$112-$140
|
$50
|
not allowed
|
$60
|
|
|
$0
|
Varies
|
Varies
|
Varies
|
Varies
|
not allowed
|
Varies
|
|
|
$200
|
$200
|
$200
|
$200
|
$400
|
not allowed
|
$400
|
|
|
$60
|
varies
|
varies
|
varies
|
$60
|
not allowed
|
$150
|
|
|
$51 online/ $60 airport
|
$51 online/ $60 airport
|
$51 online/ $60 airport
|
$51 online/ $60 airport
|
$60
|
not allowed
|
varies
|
|
|
$60
|
$60
|
$60
|
$60
|
$60
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
|
$0
|
$40
|
$40
|
$40
|
$2.25 Per Kilo
|
$2.25 Per Kilo
|
$50
|
|
|
$0
|
$150
|
$150
|
$150
|
$60
|
$450
|
$150
|
|
|
$40 online/ $50 airport
|
$100
|
$285
|
$285
|
$100
|
$300
|
$300
|
