Bag Policies for all Airlines--UPDATED 11/12/08 About This Page:

[Fortissimo]

I have compiled a list of first and second checked bag fees for many of the major U.S. airlines. Like Disney, however, airlines can and do change their policies frequently so I suggest looking at each airlines website to see what their current policy is. Please consult the websites for the fees of over-weight bags, over-sized bags, or for sports equipment bags (such as golf clubs, skis, surf boards, etc.)






AirTran Airways:

• First Bag: Free if purchased on or before November 11, 2008
• First Bag: $15 effective 12/5/08 for tickets purchased on or after November 12, 2008.
• Second Bag: Free if purchased on or before April 21st, 2008.
• Second Bag: Purchased between April 22 to August 13, 2008 $10 if paid online or $20 if paid at the airport (fee is each way)
• Second Bag: $25 for tickets purchased on or after August 14, 2008

American Airlines:



Tickets purchased on or after 5/12/08 but before 6/15/08:

• First bag: free
• Second bag: $25 each way

Tickets purchased after 6/15/08 fees are:

• First bag $15 each way
• Second bag $25 each way.

Continental Airlines:

• First Bag: $15 each way for tickets purchased on or after 9/6/08 for travel on or after 10/7/08
• Second Bag: $25 each way for tickets purchased after 5/8/08

Delta:

• First Bag: Free for tickets purchased on or before 11/05/08 for travel on or after 12/05/08.
• First Bag: $15 for tickets purchased on or after 11/06/08
• Second Bag: $25 each way starting 5/5/08
• Second Bag: $50 for tickets purchased after 7/31/08
• Sporting items, such as surf boards and skiis, are $175 now.

Frontier: The new policy is for tickets purchased on or after 6/10/08

• First bag: Free
• Second Bag: $25 each way

JetBlue: For flights booked on or after 5/1/08 for travel after 6/1/08:

• First bag: Free
• Second bag: $20 each way

Northwest:





Tickets purchased before 3/29/08

• First bag: Free;
• Second Bag: Free

Tickets purchased on or after 3/29/08 for travel on or after 5/5/08

• First Bag: free
• Second Bag: $25 each way

Tickets purchased on or after July 10, 2008 for travel on/after August 28, 2008:

• First Bag: $15 each way
• Second Bag: $25 each way

Spirit Air-



NOTE: Bag purchases may be limited to one (1) per customer for certain destinations or travel dates.

ONLINE: Bags can be purchased online at spiritair.com, up to one hour before flight departure:

• $15 for the first checked bag each way, within normal weight and size
• $25 for the second checked bag each way, within normal weight and size

AIRPORT:

Bags can be purchased on the day of departure at the airport ticket counter or at one of our kiosk locations (where available), or at a skycap position:

• $25 each for the first and second checked bags each way, within normal weight and size
• $100 for the third, fourth, and fifth checked bags each way (when space is available)

Southwest:

• First bag: Free
• Second Bag: Free!
• Third Bag: $25

United:

• First bag: free for tickets purchased on or before 6/12/08.
• First bag: $15 for tickets purchased on or after 6/13/08 for flights after 8/18/08.
• Second Bag: $25 each way for tickets purchased on or after 9/16/08 and for travel on or before 11/9/08.
• UAL announced on 11/7/08 that they would keep the second bag fee at $25.
• UAL is giving a 20% off the $15 first-bag fee for flyers who pay for it via the carrier's Web site between Nov. 10 and Jan. 31.

US Airways:

• First Bag: Free for tickets booked on or before 7/8/08
• First bag: $15 for tickets purchased on or before 7/9/08
• Second bag: $25 each way
• Now charging $2 for nonalcoholic drinks.
• No longer showing movies.
• Drink napkins are now $.33 each. Exact change required. (just kidding!)

Many airlines have changed their carryon size limit to 45" (length+width+depth). Please check your carryon baggage limit on your airline site.

[janicelovesmickey]

thanks,! good to know.

[Suzie]

Thanks for putting that together for us!
It will come in handy.
Suzie

[jimmymac]

Thanks for compiling that

[oldmom]

Midwest Air announced yesterday I think, that they will be charging for the second bag for people who buy tickets after a May date. I don't think their web site has been changed yet.

[kangelop]

Great information--thank you!!

[akleos]

WOW! Thanks for doing all the grunt work to compile this list - it is really helpful and a great resource!

[Chri5ti]

Thank you! Although it kills me that we need it!

[chezp]

Thanks for that - that's really useful.

[DrDolphin]

Robin thanks for compiling this - we should make it a sticky post!

[belleandmaddysmom]

Thanks for the list! I didn't know that Continental was charging for 2nd bag!
Good thing I got my airfare before the cut off date! Hope they will stay true to their word about that!

[duck addict]

Robin

[Grandmasam]

Thanks, Robin! This will come in handy for my next visit with The Mouse

[Tonya E.]

Thanks for the info....gotta love Southwest in this instance.
Tonya

[j4crew]

Thanks!!! I agree...lovin Southwest right now!!