Once upon a time, travelers purchased an airline ticket that included transportation for both themselves and at least one suitcase. As airlines have struggled to remain profitable, though, they have instituted a wide variety of fees and surcharges on top of fares. And the fees have worked -- in 2009, airlines earned almost $3 billion from checked baggage fees, according to Travel & Leisure magazine. Considering that it can cost $50 or more to check two bags on a flight -- and some airlines have instituted fees for carry-on bags as well -- on top of ever-increasing airline fares, many travelers are looking for ways that they can avoid those extra costs.
Fly on an airline that does not charge baggage fees. At the time of publication, Southwest and Jet Blue do not charge fees for checked or carry-on bags. However, these airlines do charge fees for checked bags that weigh more than the 50 pound limit, and for excess baggage beyond the free checked bag allowance.
Join the airline's frequent flier program. Most airlines waive bag fees for travelers who fly a certain number of miles or segments on the airline or their partner airlines each year. The thresholds for this benefit vary by airline -- read the literature you receive when you enroll in the program to determine whether you qualify.
Book a business or first class ticket. One of the perks of these higher priced tickets is free baggage, in most cases.
Pack only a carry-on bag. Before you fly, visit the airline website to determine how large your carry-on can be -- regional jets, for example, have stricter requirements than large planes. Some airlines have also started charging customers for carry-on bags as well, so confirm the airline policy on those fees before traveling.
Ship your items to your destination ahead of time. While in some cases the fees for mailing items to your hotel can be more than the actual airline fees, if you're traveling with a lot of luggage -- such as when you're traveling with babies or toddlers who need extra clothing and gear -- you can save yourself the hassle and expense by using a delivery service.
Get creative with your packing. For example, if you're traveling with children, you can check a car seat, stroller or other baby gear for free. Purchase a carrying case to protect these items in transit, and use the extra space in the case to carry items that would normally go in your suitcase.
Ask for deals. While you'll generally have to pay the baggage fees out of pocket, some hotels or resorts will reimburse guests for their baggage fees, often in the form of resort credit, gift cards or discounts.
Use your airline-affiliated credit card. If you have a card that earns mileage for purchases, some cards offer a free checked baggage benefit to cardholders. Read the literature that came with your card to determine if you qualify for this benefit.
