How to avoid airline baggage fees?

 While airline prices can be rather expensive, that's not the only thing they charge us for. Extra services, perks, and even baggage fees can easily add up. In fact, in 2023 alone, travelers spent over $5.5 billion in airline fees, according to the Department of Transportation. So, it's very important for us to figure out how to avoid airline baggage fees. Thankfully, there are various methods to consider, and here are some of the most popular ones.

Find an airline that offers free checked bags

Some airlines will offer free checked bags, either as a part of an offer or for a limited time. Regardless, it's a good idea to see if there is such an option because that's the better airline to go for if you want to avoid baggage fees. The downside is that usually, when this happens, you will not be able to choose your seat, for example. However, in the end, it's still worth it, should you find such an option.

Always weigh your luggage at home before you travel

Learn the airline's weight limit and any size restrictions for luggage as well. Once you know that info, check and see if your luggage suits that limit or not. You always want to be a bit under that limit just to be safe. If you travel often, you may want to buy a portable luggage scale. That way, no matter the luggage brand, be it Delsey, Travelpro, or Samsonite, you don't have to worry about going over the limit.

Book a premium cabin ticket

The important thing to note is that premium cabin tickets usually come with a free checked bag. Granted, while this can be a tad more expensive, it also offers priority boarding, a larger seat and usually you get in-flight dining too. It depends on the comfort you're looking for, but in general, it's a good idea to opt for a premium cabin ticket since it comes with great perks.

Also, if you travel often, paying for a baggage subscription like the one from United Airlines is a great idea. You pay a flat amount every year, and you don't have to worry about taking your luggage with you. Granted, even in that case, you have 2 standard bags allotted. However, it's well worth it!

Use a travel credit card

Some companies like Chase offer travel cards with free travel credit. You can use that credit towards baggage fees. Of course, those cards have their own fees, but if you travel often and you have other perks available, that could be an option. Other companies will provide lounge access, premium memberships, and other perks. Checking any travel credit card offers can be a great idea, but as always, you should use the card wisely!

Sign up for an airline's VIP program or card

Speaking of credit cards, many airlines have their own membership card or a VIP program. If you travel often and become a member, you can access a variety of benefits. Some airlines will allow you to add an extra bag for free. Others will give you frequent discounts on airline tickets or a lower price for your companion's luggage. So yes, there can be certain perks, but you have to be wary of the annual costs. Most of these memberships will come with a yearly charge, so it's up to you to see if these are worth it or not. It usually comes down to how much you're traveling.

Become an elite passenger for an airline

If you're a loyal member and you use only a certain airline, eventually, you can become an Elite member. You can check each airline's requirements for the Elite membership. But generally, if you are a very loyal customer, you can eventually reach that point. And it's great, because you can have all kinds of benefits, depending on the status milestones. Things like free checked bags, complimentary food, free goodies, and even discounts on flights, those can appear when you become an elite passenger for an airline.

Try packing only the necessary items

It's very easy to overpack these days, even for a short trip. The truth is that packing only the necessary items can be tough when you know the airline's limits. You try to get as close as possible to those limits as you pack items that you may or may not need. The best approach is to pack only the items you truly need for the trip, depending on how much time you will spend at your destination. And, as we mentioned earlier, see what the airline allows when it comes to luggage weight and dimensions.

Ship items ahead of time

Another, clever way to avoid airline fees is to try and ship items ahead of time. If you want to avoid taking too much luggage with you, a very good idea is to try and ship some stuff ahead of time. Granted, it can get expensive, especially for international shipping. But you will have access to those items when you get to the destination, and obviously, you're skipping the baggage fees. You can use this idea especially if you want to travel with large items.

Buy stuff from your destination

In case you want to avoid taking too many items with you, the best idea is to buy them from your destination. And yes, it totally works because you can avoid taking too much luggage while traveling. Tossing stuff as you go can be an option, although you can also donate it locally if you don't want to get back with it and pay more baggage fees when returning.

Befriend another passenger who has extra space

Sometimes, you can befriend people who travel with you and ask them if they have some extra luggage space. It could help, although if you're not going to find someone, you might be forced to toss items to match the airline's limits. So it's better to use this only as a last resort approach.

Wear your luggage

Another option that's a bit more unconventional is to try and wear your luggage. Instead of having a large winter coat in your luggage, you can wear it on you and also stuff a few other items in its pockets. That's a great way to make space for some items within your luggage and thus not worry about the airline baggage fees.

Conclusion

All of these are great ideas if you want to avoid paying any extra money on luggage fees. No one likes paying extra for their luggage, and unfortunately, airlines are very strict when it comes to what luggage they allow from customers. Investing in Samsonite, Delsey, Victorinox luggage is a great idea, since many of these brands already know the airline guidelines and design airline-compliant products. We recommend checking out those types of luggage and also using these great tips to prevent spending any more money on luggage fees!