You booked a flight, felt good about the price, and then the checkout screen added a $35 checked bag fee.
Each way.
Per person.
That “affordable” ticket just cost $70 to $140 more than you planned for, and you have not even started packing.
It is frustrating, especially when the fees feel unavoidable. But they are not.
Most baggage fees disappear once you know the handful of tricks that frequent travelers use, and none of them require you to pack like a backpacker.
Follow these practical strategies, starting with the easiest.
TL;DR: Avoid baggage fees by packing carry-on only, prepaying for checked bags online (saves $5-20 vs the counter), and using a credit card that includes free checked bags. Most U.S. airlines already include a carry-on and a personal item free, even on basic economy.
For the full airline-by-airline fee breakdown, see airline baggage rules guide.
This article focuses on avoiding the fees. That one covers what each airline charges.
Pack Carry-On Only
If your bag never goes under the plane, you never pay a bag fee.
Most major U.S. airlines include one carry-on bag and one personal item at no extra charge, even on basic economy tickets.
That gives you an overhead bin bag and an under-seat bag, both free.
If you need a new bag that fits airline requirements, the imiomo 22x14x9 carry-on set includes both the overhead bin bag and a satchel personal item at under $50.
For a 3- to 7-day trip, carry-on only is realistic for most travelers.
The key is packing by outfit rather than by category, choosing versatile pieces, and knowing your airline’s size limits before you pack.
Standard carry-on size for most U.S. airlines is 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Not sure if your bag fits? Check it free with our luggage calculator.
But budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier charge for overhead bin access, so your only truly free bag is a personal item that fits under the seat.
Always check your specific airline before assuming carry-on is included.
For the full carry-on packing system, see the carry-on only packing guide.
Here is a quick video I put together on my carry-on airport routine, including exactly how I pack to avoid paying for bags:
Budget airlines often charge for carry-on bags.
On Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant, overhead bin access is not included in the base fare. Your only free bag may be a small personal item.
What counts as a personal item
A personal item is a smaller bag that fits under the seat in front of you.
Most airlines define this as roughly 18 x 14 x 8 inches, but the exact limits vary.
A standard backpack, large purse, laptop bag, or tote usually qualifies.
The rule of thumb: if it fits under the seat without forcing it, it works.
This is your free bag on almost every airline, including the budget carriers.
Prepay Online Before You Get to the Airport
If you need to check a bag, the single biggest mistake is waiting to pay at the airport.
Almost every airline charges more for bags purchased at the counter or at the gate.
Check the difference on major U.S. carriers:
- American Airlines: $35 online, $40 at the airport
- United: $35 online, $45 at the airport
- Delta: $35 online, $40 at the airport
- JetBlue: $35 online (first bag free on some fare classes)
- Southwest: First two checked bags are free on every fare
Prepaying takes about two minutes during online check-in.
The savings are small per bag, but they add up over multiple trips, especially for couples or families.
Some airlines also let you add bags when you first book the ticket, sometimes at an even lower rate than the check-in price.
Check the “add bags” option during initial booking to see if a discount is available.
Know Which Airlines Include Free Checked Bags
Not every airline charges for checked bags.
Knowing which airlines include them can save you money before you even book.
Southwest Airlines is the standout.
Every ticket includes two free checked bags, no matter the fare class.
No other major U.S. airline matches this.
If you are flying domestically and expect to check a bag, the ticket price plus zero bag fees may make Southwest cheaper than a “lower fare” on another carrier.
International flights on major carriers (Delta, United, American, Alaska) typically include at least one free checked bag on international itineraries.
The fees that apply domestically often disappear once you cross a border.
Premium fare classes on most airlines include free checked bags.
If you are comparing a basic economy ticket at $200 plus $70 in bag fees against a main cabin ticket at $250 with a free bag, the math might favor the upgrade.
Military and veteran travelers often receive free checked bags on major U.S. airlines.
Active duty, reservists, and sometimes dependents qualify.
Each airline’s policy is different, so check the “military travel” section of your airline’s website or mention your status at check-in.
For the complete airline-by-airline breakdown, see carry-on size limits by airline.
Compare Total Trip Cost, Not Just the Ticket Price
This is the mistake most travelers make when booking: they compare ticket prices without adding bag fees.
A $180 fare with $70 in bag fees costs more than a $230 fare that includes a free bag.
Before you book, calculate the total trip cost:
- Ticket price (round trip)
- Plus bag fees (each direction, per person)
- Minus any fee waivers (credit card, status, military)
- Equals actual cost
On a round trip for two people, checked bag fees can add $140 to $280 to the total.
That changes which airline is actually cheapest more often than you might expect.
Most flight search engines (Google Flights, Kayak, Skyscanner) show ticket prices without bag fees.
You have to add those manually.
Southwest often looks more expensive on these sites because its fares include bags while competitors’ fares do not.
Use Credit Card Perks
Several airline-branded credit cards waive checked bag fees as a standard benefit.
If you fly the same airline two or more times a year, the fee savings alone can justify the card’s annual fee.
Common examples:
- Delta SkyMiles Gold or Platinum Amex: First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
- United Explorer Card: First checked bag free for the cardholder and one companion
- Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select: First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines flights
Before applying for a new card, check whether a card you already carry includes this benefit.
Some general travel cards (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred) do not waive bag fees but offer travel credits that can offset them.
Check your existing credit cards first.
Many travelers already have a card that waives bag fees and do not realize it. Look at the “travel benefits” section of your card’s website or call the number on the back.
Earn Airline Loyalty Status
Frequent flyer programs offer free checked bags at certain status tiers.
You do not need to be a business traveler flying every week.
Some programs are easier to reach than others.
For example:
- American AAdvantage Gold: First checked bag free on domestic flights
- Delta SkyMiles Silver Medallion: First checked bag free
- United MileagePlus Silver: First checked bag free on United-operated flights
- Alaska MVP: First checked bag free on Alaska flights
Most of these tiers require around 20,000 to 25,000 qualifying miles or 30 qualifying segments per year.
If you take three to four round trips annually on the same airline, you may be closer to status than you think.
Some credit cards also award qualifying miles or segments that count toward status, which makes earning the free bag perk easier even if you do not fly frequently.
Weigh and Measure Before You Leave Home
Even if you are planning to check a bag, the most expensive fees are the ones that surprise you at the airport.
Overweight bag fees run $100 to $200 per bag, and oversized bag fees are similar.
A simple routine prevents this:
- Weigh your bag at home. A portable luggage scale costs under $15 and saves you from a $100 overweight fee. The standard checked bag limit is 50 pounds on most airlines.
- Measure your bag. Total dimensions (length + width + height) must stay under 62 inches for most airlines. This includes handles and wheels.
- Leave a buffer. Pack to 45 pounds instead of 49. Scales at home and scales at the airport do not always agree, and a 1-pound difference at the airport costs $100.
If you are close to the limit, wear your heaviest shoes and jacket onto the plane instead of packing them.
Moving weight from your bag to your body is completely free.
A Quick Booking Checklist
Before you buy any ticket, run through these four questions.
They take about two minutes and can save you $70 or more per trip.
- Does this fare include a carry-on? Some basic economy fares do not include overhead bin access. That means your only free bag is a personal item under the seat.
- What does the first checked bag cost on this airline? Add the round-trip bag fee to the ticket price before comparing airlines.
- Is there a discount for adding the bag now vs. at check-in? Several airlines offer a lower rate if you buy bag access when you book.
- Am I flying internationally? International flights on major U.S. carriers usually include at least one free checked bag, even when domestic flights on the same airline do not.
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to disclose all baggage fees.
The disclosures are sometimes buried in the “optional services” page, but they are there.
Check before you finalize.
What to Do If You Get Hit with an Unexpected Fee
Sometimes you do everything right and a fee shows up anyway.
A gate agent decides your bag does not fit, or the airline updated its policy since your last trip.
Three things help:
- Ask politely. Gate agents sometimes have discretion, especially if your bag is borderline. A calm, respectful question costs nothing.
- Check your credit card benefits on the spot. Some cards reimburse baggage fees even if they do not waive them directly. Pull up your card’s benefits page on your phone.
- File a complaint after the trip. If you were charged a fee that contradicts the airline’s posted policy, submit a complaint through the DOT’s Air Travel Complaints page. Airlines take DOT complaints seriously because they affect their public record.
Do not argue at the gate.
It does not work, it stresses you out, and it slows down boarding for everyone.
Pay the fee, document what happened, and dispute it later if the charge was not legitimate.
This video from Project Untethered breaks down how to avoid carry-on luggage fees, even if your bag is a bit overweight:
The Bottom Line
Baggage fees are predictable once you understand the system. The airlines publish their rules.
The fees are disclosed. The surprises only happen when you do not check in advance.
For most occasional travelers, the simplest approach is this: pack carry-on only when you can, prepay when you cannot, and always check your airline’s current fee schedule before you leave home.
These three habits eliminate most of the cost and nearly all of the stress.
Never stress at the airport again.
Get the free packing checklist and have everything ready before you leave home. Or browse organizing tips for small spaces if you need help fitting more into less.
Pin this page for the next time you are booking a flight and want to skip the baggage fees.
12-year nomad, carry-on-only traveler across 5 continents, and creator of Organizing.TV.
I help you pack smaller, stress less, and actually enjoy the packing part of travel.
