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SALT LAKE CITY -- Thanksgiving is just one week away, and families are finalizing their travel plans. Travel analysts say there are ways to avoid being dinged by airline baggage fees, but people have to be careful about what they're packing.
Jet Blue lets customers check one bag for free. Southwest allows two. Even airlines like Delta allow customers to avoid baggage fees if they have a Skymiles card from American Express.
Tom Parsons with Bestfares.com said, "Maybe you don't want to pay with your American Express Delta [card]. You can pay with any card. As long as you have the card, you still earn those benefits."
But Parsons says be careful not to be tempted too much by not having to pay these fees. He says Southwest has such high demand, their ticket prices could be well above what other airlines are charging. So, he says customers need to compare air fares, apples to apples, on the same day.
- Compare air fares
- Use the right suitcase
- Check baggage weight
Some travelers think just packing a large carry-on bag will be a clear way to get out of the fee. But, if you use the wrong suitcase, it could cost you. If your suitcase is an accordion-style expandable case, Parsons says it's more likely to be taken down below to be checked, adding another $25 to your fare.
"If you think you're going to fill that up, then open up that zipper to put more merchandise or more clothing inside, you better think twice," Parsons said. "That's the first red flag. They know that that bag will not fit in one of those metal containers."
Plus, your checked baggage can't be too heavy. Parsons says a checked bag might not be free anymore if it weighs more than 50 pounds.
"If it's 51 pounds or more, it can be hundreds of dollars more just to check that bag," he explained. If it weighs more than 70 pounds, it'll cost even more. Parsons says the "baggage police" will be especially watching travelers this holiday season.
Baggage fees aren't the only thing travelers will need to look out for. Some unaccompanied minors used to get a free escort to the gate on many airlines. Now, the carriers are charging.
"If you're 14 or under, they've mandated that [the parent] pay for it. It used to be only 11. Now, some airlines are getting smart and saying, ‘Well, no, if you're 12, 13 or 14 you, too, must pay for it," Parsons said.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
