Airline Baggage Fees | Tips to Avoid Paying Extra Baggage Fees

Flying is not inexpensive in the first place, and baggage fees can add to the cost, especially for those looking for a budget trip. Baggage fees are especially troublesome when travelling with a spouse and children, since this automatically results in a large amount of baggage, for which you would have to pay on both sides to and from. Baggage fees are hardly acknowledged and are often overlooked by travelers. Baggage fees will eventually add up and sabotage your efforts to find the cheapest flight, so you should be aware of how to avoid them. If you are wondering how to avoid baggage fees, take a look at the tips below.

Get details on how to avoid paying the baggage fees

Pack as little as possible

• To avoid the baggage charge, packing as less as possible is obviously the best option; however, packing too little is not as simple as it sounds.
• Instead of jeans, choose cotton and other lightweight fabrics. Look for brands that appeal to travelers and are built to be ultra-lightweight.

Fly with airlines who don't charge a checked baggage

• If you want to avoid paying baggage fees while flying, keep in mind that certain airlines don't charge fees for checked luggage up to a certain number.
• Southwest Airlines is a well-known carrier that allows passengers with two free checked bags while flying.
• Similarly, on international flights booking in the main cabin, several airlines allow you to check one bag for free.

Picking the Appropriate Airline Credit Card

• Certain airlines that sell the best travel credit cards give free checked luggage to passengers who fly with them, as a cardholder incentive.
• You must apply for one of the best credit cards available. To be eligible for the free checked bag benefit, some cards demand that you pay for your flight with the card.

Become a part of an airline's elite program

• It is not feasible for all to achieve elite status with an airline, however, if you fly regularly for business or leisure it might not be as difficult.
• Free checked bags, Priority boarding, automatic upgrades, these are all benefits of elite airline status.
• As a result, if you have elite status with a specific airline, you can avoid paying for luggage on your flight trip.

Get a suitcase which is not too heavy

• It is really easy to overlook that the weight of your suitcase is included in the total weight of your luggage.
• Carrying a light-weight suitcase is another choice for avoiding baggage fees.

Don’t book a basic economy

• When looking for a flight, you've probably noticed that the cheapest fares are Basic Economy, but you've probably overlooked the fact that what's not included in it are the baggage fees.
• A carry-on luggage is often not included in Basic Economy fares, let alone a checked bag, which is why you should not book it if you want to avoid paying baggage fees.

Carry multi-use items in your bag

• You can carry the multi-use item in your suitcase on a flight to reduce the amount of baggage you have to carry and avoid paying an extra fee.
• Multipurpose items can be packed during trip especially when it comes to clothing, as you can carry reversible cloth instead of packing many outfits.

The most helpful tips to avoid baggage fees on airlines are mentioned above, and you can use them if you're planning your next flight and want to remain on budget. Furthermore, you can learn about the airline's baggage policies well in advance of making a reservation to determine if you will be required to pay for all of your luggage or will be granted any exemption.

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