Fly on an airline that does not charge fees. Although the number of such airlines is diminishing, as of December 2010, there were still three airlines that do not charge for the first bag: Jetblue, Air Canada, and Southwest Airlines. Southwest is the only airline that allows a second checked bag free as well.
Fly in first or business class, if you can get an upgrade or can use your frequent flyer miles for an upgrade. First-class passengers or those with "elite" or "gold" status often do not pay any fees for checking bags. Compare the price of getting an upgrade to first or business class with what you would pay for the checked baggage; the upgrade may not be worth it if it costs more than checking a bag.
Check your credit card perks. Some credit cards such as Delta's Sky Miles branded American Express card allows you and up to eight of your companions to check your bags free. American Express offers a Blue Sky Preferred Credit Card that gives a $100 allowance per year to the cardholder for airline fees.
Stay at a hotel that will cover the cost of your checked bags. For example, in December 2010, Holiday Inn reimbursed travelers for their checked bags, up to $50. Check hotels to see if they have a current deal or program to reimburse your airline fees.
Check luggagelimits.com to compare airline fees if you must check a bag and can't avoid a fee. Luggage Limits compares fees by airline; the database is current and contains almost all the airlines. The website also offers an iPhone app if you want the information on your phone.
Ship your baggage to your location instead of checking it at the airport. If you can't avoid baggage fees, see if shipping is cheaper than the fees you would pay to check your baggage. Use the online shipping calculator from the shipping company you intend to use, such as FedEx or UPS to determine shipping costs. Luggagelimits.com also has calculators and resources for shipping your luggage. With enough advance planning, you may be able to ship your items by ground for less than you might spend on the baggage fee.
