Checked Baggage Allowances
By now most people are aware of the fact that the majority of the major U.S. airlines are charging fees for checked luggage. Since those fees were first instituted in 2008, they have been steadily increasing. So, just how much will it cost to check your bags? Here’s what you need to know:
The fees charged are per piece, one-way. If you are a coach class passenger, not participating in an airline program like Delta Skymiles, multiply the airline’s fee for the first checked bag times two for a roundtrip flight ($25 x 2 = $50 total roundtrip fee).
For most airlines there is a graduated fee scale. For example, Delta charges $25 for the first checked bag, $35 for the second, $125 for the third and $200 per bag for the 4th to 10th bags. Note that some airlines offer small discounts for prepaying baggage fees online prior to arrival at the airport.
You can possibly save money on baggage fees by measuring and weighing your bags before you arrive at the airport. Oversized and overweight bags will incur substantial additional charges. It’s easier to redistribute weight among several bags at home than it is at the airport baggage check-in with a line of people waiting behind you.
The average total size allowed for checked bags is 62” calculated by adding length + width + height. If your bag expands, the expansion must also fit within the 62” allowance.
The average total weight allowed for checked bags is 50 pounds.
As an example of what you might pay in baggage fees: if you are flying Delta and have one bag to check that measures 63” – 80” and weighs 51 – 70 pounds, you will pay $290 to check that bag. ($25 for the 1st checked bag ($23 if prepaid) + $90 overweight fee + $175 oversized fee = $290). For a roundtrip that would be $580. You would be better off using two smaller bags. Checking and prepaying 2 bags that are 50 pounds or less and measure 62” or less would only cost $55 ($110 roundtrip).
Don’t forget, each ticketed passenger, including children, is also allowed one carry-on bag measuring 45” total, plus one personal item such as a purse, brief case, or laptop computer.
By using the maximum size bag for each person and paring down what you are packing to the essentials, you should be able to stay under the allowed weight limit.
Again, the fees charged for excess bags, oversized and/or overweight bags are per piece, one-way and vary by airline. Be sure to check with the airline you will be traveling on for their baggage allowance rules.
For more information about Disney World vacation planning, check out these articles:
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