Baggage Fees by Airline (2024)

Vault’s Viewpoint on Airline Baggage Fees

• In the lowest fare tiers, baggage fees for a first checked bag could range between $0 and $99.
• If you select a fare higher than the most basic economy with traditional airlines, you’ll typically get at least one free checked bag.
• Low-cost carriers may charge you more than a traditional carrier after you total airline baggage fees and other hidden fees.
• Airline credit cards are one of the best ways to avoid checked baggage fees on your favored airline.

Baggage Fees by Airline

In general, fees range between $33 to $99 for a first checked bag if you’re flying economy fares, don’t have elite mileage status and don’t have an airline credit card with free-bag benefits. Additional bags typically cost more. Low-cost carriers will even charge for carry-on luggage, which can significantly bump up the cost of a round-trip ticket.

Baggage fees vary based on several factors, including your destination, fare, airline mileage-plan status and when you notify the airline you’re bringing luggage. Investigate options in advance and book a spot for your luggage ASAP for the best pricing—and remember the below represent one-way prices.

Air Canada

Air Canada pinballs between dozens of North American and international destinations. International destinations charge the most for basic-fare checked bags, while North American destinations cost around $35 or so for the first checked bag.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines baggage fees are among the simplest, with flat checked bag fees of $35 to $45 for most fares outside First Class. But extra fees may apply if you’re flying a codeshare operated by another airline (such as Icelandair or American). But here’s a fun bonus: You can bring a box of pineapple from Hawaii to the U.S. free of charge.

Allegiant Airlines

Allegiant Airlines fees shoot up depending on whether you check a bag at booking, pre-departure or at the airport. To save money, reserve your bag’s space when booking. Allegiant charges passengers a carry-on luggage fee, which isn’t standard across all airlines.

American Airlines

American Airlines baggage policy charges fees that depend on your regional destination and class of seating. You can save $5 on the first checked bag when you pay online at aa.com or in the app. This savings on American Airlines baggage fees is only for travel within and between the U.S., including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines baggage fees depend on factors such as your route, mileage status and class of service. Most domestic Delta baggage fees for customers run $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second bag. As with many traditional large carriers, you won’t pay for your qualifying carry-on.

Frontier Airlines

Unfortunately, estimating Frontier Airlines baggage fees can take a lot of work. To learn your Frontier baggage fees, you must start the ticket-booking process using the app, including providing your personal contact information. If you bypass the suggested airline bundles, you finally learn your per-bag pricing. You’ll incur yet more fees if you check your bag at the airport and need assistance.

Hawaiian Airlines

The fees below primarily represent costs for flights between Hawaiian islands and the mainland. If you’re flying internationally to the handful of destinations Hawaiian Airlines serves, you’ll get the first bag checked for free (and potentially the second, depending on the destination).

JetBlue Airlines

The airline’s more complicated pricing approach relies on standard factors and the exact dates you’re traveling. “Peak Pricing” dates (including the entire summer and specific holiday weekends) add $5 to $10 to JetBlue Airlines checked baggage costs. In addition, if you’re flying on a “Basic Blue” airfare, unlike other fares, you do not get a free checked bag.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines baggage policy is a refreshing outlier among the airlines covered here. The most generous airline on our list provides free first and second-checked bags for all flying customers and a free carry-on bag.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines baggage fees vary based on the route, Spirit Saver$ Club membership (for a $69.95 annual fee) and travel dates. Spirit offers five tiers of check-in opportunities, with checked luggage prices increasing as you get closer to the gate on flight day. If you wait to check until the gate, Spirit Airlines charges the most expensive first-checked bag fare ($99). The Spirit carry-on fee also runs up to $99 per bag.

United Airlines

United Airlines baggage fees depend on your destination. Some international destinations allow you to check one bag for free if you’re above Basic Economy class. Domestically, expect to pay around $35 to $50 for first and second checked bags for United economy cabin fares.

Credit Cards That Offer Free Checked Bags

Most airlines now offer branded credit cards with a free checked-bag benefit for you and others traveling on your reservation. But read the fine print: Not all branded credit cards offer this helpful benefit. The best airline credit cards offer additional benefits such as early boarding access, and some even offer a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.

Other Ways to Avoid Checked Bag Fees

There’s no need to pay checked bag fees if you don’t have a free checked bag credit card. You can try one of these approaches, too:

• Carry on: Avoid checking a bag, but ensure your carry-on bag meets the airline’s size and weight requirements
• Level up: Achieve elite status with an airline
• Skip economy: Purchase a class of fare that offers free checked bags
• Select international: Book a specific (usually international) destination offering free checked bags
• Miles, not money: Instead of cash, use your stash of miles to pay for your checked bag, if allowed by the airline.

Remember that you usually benefit from lower checked-bag fees when booking your flight or before check-in—generally at least 24 hours before departure.