How to Avoid Airlines Baggage Fee increase
Do you know what’s frustrating, you plan out your whole vacation and budget the numbers only to realize when you get to the airport your checked bag will cost you about 15% more and you didn’t have a warning. Airlines seem to enjoy arbitrarily raising the prices of their services and products quietly after the dust settles for a competitor airline getting called out.
A few months ago Alaska Airlines raised their checked bag fees, when no one made a big deal about it every other major US airline did the exact same thing. While most of the airlines only raised about five dollars it’s still a 15% increase. So… let’s break down each major airline’s recent baggage fee change and see if you can avoid paying the fees altogether. (American Airlines is the easiest)
Delta Air Lines
Let’s start with Delta Airlines; effective immediately, increased its baggage fees by $5 in the most sneaky way possible, by hiding it in the bottom corner of its website. The good news is this is only for US domestic flights, rates for international flights remain unchanged.
Delta New Baggage Fees:
- $35 for the first checked bag (increased from $30)
- $45 for the second bag (increased from $40)
How To Avoid Delta’s Baggage Fees
Some ways are harder than others based on your loyalty to Delta and how much you fly, so pick one that makes it worth it for you. If you are looking for only one round trip flight a year it might be easier and cheaper to pay the $70 fee.
- If you have any level of Delta Medallion Elite Status, you can get at least one checked bag for free.
- If you sign up for one of Delta’s credit cards, even the gold card which has an annual fee of $150 gives you a free checked bag for you and eight other people as long as they’re in the same ticket. Additionally, you get a $100 hotel Credit as long as it’s booked through Delta Stays each year. If you’re traveling with the family this card could pay for itself in baggage fees alone.
- Active duty service members also receive free checked bags
United Airlines
United has increased its baggage fees for US domestic flights only as well, but unlike Delta, they (and the other airlines) have a baggage calculator to help you calculate your total trip baggage fees.
United New Baggage Fees:
- $35 for the first checked bag (or $40 if you pay at the airport)
- $45 for the second bag
How To Avoid United’s Baggage Fees
- Just like Delta, Elite members receive at least one free checked bag.
- Marriott Bonvoy Titanium gives status you United Silver status every year (You can earn this several different ways)
- Of course one of United’s credit cards will also get you free checked bags
American Airlines
The biggest difference is with American Airlines you can earn status without ever stepping on a plane. They have increased their baggage fees to the same level as United but I’ve kept one of the biggest advantages of the American Airlines loyalty program. To earn elite status which is the first level you only need 60,000 loyalty points, (an increase of 20,000 points from 2023) but it’s way easier to earn than the other airlines.
American’s New Baggage Fees:
- $35 for the first checked bag (or $40 if you pay at the airport)
- $45 for the second bag
How To American’s Baggage Fees:
- Just like the others having their Credit Card Allows you and up to 4 other free checked bag
- Having Gold status or above (60,000 Loyalty Points) This can be earned in several ways but by far the easiest is the AAdvantage travel, dinning, and shopping portals. This means you can earn all 60,000 points without stepping on a flight which is the best option for the family that only travels once a year. You might even be able to earn enough points with hotel bookings alone.
Pro Tip:
Southwest is still the only airline that offers 2 free checked bags on every flight.
