Michael Turner
Included allowance: One personal item at no cost – typical maximum dimensions: 17 × 13 × 8 inches (43 × 33 × 20 cm). Standard cabin bag dimensions accepted in the overhead bin usually max out at about 22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 35 × 23 cm). If your ticket is the Basic tier, expect an extra fee to bring a cabin-sized bag aboard.
Typical fees and timing: Prepaying a cabin-bag add-on during booking or online check-in usually costs less than paying at the gate. Typical add-on ranges: roughly $30–50 when purchased in advance, rising to about $60 at the gate. Checked-bag rates on domestic routes commonly start near $35 for the first checked item and about $45 for the second; premium fare classes often include checked allowance.
Status and card benefits: Premium fares and elite-tier members receive waived bag fees on certain allowances. The airline’s co-branded credit card grants free first checked item to the primary cardmember and up to three companions listed on the same reservation, reducing out-of-pocket baggage costs.
Practical steps: 1) Measure your bags against the dimensions above. 2) Consolidate into a personal item when traveling on Basic tickets. 3) Purchase any needed cabin-bag add-on during booking to save money. 4) Use the co-branded card or upgrade to a higher fare class when multiple bags are required.
Cabin bag policy and fee guidance
Purchase a fare that includes an overhead roller at booking or travel with only a personal item sized to fit under the seat to avoid airport fees.
Most standard economy fares include one overhead roller plus one personal item (under-seat limit 17 x 13 x 8 inches). The Basic fare excludes the overhead roller; only an under-seat piece is permitted.
| Fare type | Overhead allowance | Typical add-on fee |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | No overhead roller; personal item only | Add-on purchased during booking usually lower; typical range USD 25–60 depending on route and purchase timing |
| Standard / Plus / Extra | One overhead roller permitted; one personal item included | No extra fee when included in fare |
| Mosaic (elite) / Mint cabin | Expanded cabin privileges may apply | Varies by status or cabin |
Sizing and packing
Measure bags to meet overhead maximum 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles; under-seat items should not exceed 17 x 13 x 8 inches. Place essentials and valuables inside the under-seat piece to prevent gate stowage.
Money-saving recommendations
Buy any overhead add-on during initial booking, check in early to secure bin space, enroll in the carrier’s loyalty program to receive extra allowances, and avoid purchasing at the gate where fees typically increase.
Cabin bag allowance by fare class: Blue Basic vs Blue, Even More, Mint
Recommendation: If you plan to bring a standard cabin bag, avoid Blue Basic; select Blue, Even More, or Mint to include one cabin bag plus one personal item, or purchase an add-on at booking to add that cabin bag when keeping a Basic fare.
Blue Basic: Includes a single personal item only (max 17″ x 13″ x 8″). A standard overhead cabin bag (max 22″ x 14″ x 9″) is excluded; adding that bag requires an add-on or an upgrade purchased at booking or later, and fees vary by route and timing. Mosaic elite members are permitted one cabin bag irrespective of fare class.
Blue: Includes one standard cabin bag (22″ x 14″ x 9″) plus one personal item (17″ x 13″ x 8″). No published weight limit applies to cabin bags; the item must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat and be liftable by the passenger.
Even More: Same onboard allowance as Blue–one cabin bag (22″ x 14″ x 9″) and one personal item (17″ x 13″ x 8″)–with added benefits such as earlier boarding and additional seat options depending on the booking package.
Mint: Premium fare includes one cabin bag and one personal item; many Mint itineraries also include checked-bag allowances (often up to two checked pieces on select routes). Verify checked-bag inclusions at booking since checked policies differ by itinerary.
Avoid last-minute add-ons at the gate: upgrade at purchase to Blue or Even More when a cabin bag is planned, or travel only with a personal item on Blue Basic to avoid extra fees. Review elite, corporate, and military exemptions ahead of travel to confirm permitted cabin baggage.
Accepted onboard and personal item dimensions, examples of compliant bags
Keep overhead cabin bags at or below 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm); personal items should measure no more than 17 x 13 x 8 inches (43 x 33 x 20 cm) so they stow under the seat in front of you.
Measure the exterior: include wheels, handles and external pockets when checking dimensions. Soft-sided bags can compress slightly to fit, while hard-shell suitcases require exact sizing. If a packed bag is borderline, reduce bulk, move nonessentials to a personal item, or choose gate-checking to avoid refusal at the boarding gate.
Examples that typically comply: a 20-inch spinner suitcase (approx. 20 x 14 x 9 in / 51 x 35 x 23 cm) used as an overhead cabin bag; a compact duffel around 18 x 11 x 9 in (46 x 28 x 23 cm); an underseat roller commonly labeled 16 x 13 x 8 in (41 x 33 x 20 cm); a commuter backpack sized ~17 x 12 x 7 in (43 x 30 x 18 cm); a slim briefcase or tote about 15 x 13 x 5 in (38 x 33 x 13 cm) for laptop and documents.
Packing tips: place heavy items low and close to wheels to stabilize upright bags, use compression cubes to shave inches, and keep liquids in a single quart-sized clear bag inside the personal item for quick inspection. If bringing bulky items (boots, jacket, duty-free purchases), verify combined dimensions before arriving at the gate to avoid unexpected stowage requests.
When and how the carrier applies cabin-bag fees at booking, online check-in, and gate
Choose an upgraded fare or add a cabin-bag allowance during booking to lock in the lowest rate and avoid higher airport or gate fees.
At booking the checkout screen displays an option to add a cabin-bag allowance; the listed price is typically the lowest. If no add-on is selected, use Manage Trips on the carrier’s website or mobile app to attach an allowance later at a higher cost.
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure; during that window the site or app shows a final chance to buy a cabin-bag allowance at rates higher than booking but lower than gate. Complete the transaction with the same card used at purchase and save the confirmation email or screenshot as proof.
At the gate staff enforce overhead bin rules. Passengers with the most restrictive fares who bring a standard-sized cabin bag will be directed to gate-check that item and pay a day-of fee at the counter. Gate purchases often accept card only, are non-refundable, and can delay boarding; agents may tag the item and load it into cargo.
Bring a compliant personal item instead of a full-sized cabin bag when traveling on the cheapest fare; a slim messenger that fits under the seat saves time and eliminates last-minute payments. Recommended example: best messenger bag (textbooks).
If a checked bag cannot be avoided, select a lightweight spinner or small suitcase designed to minimize lifting strain and speed handling: best suitcase – older woman.
If bringing powdered supplements or meal shakes, check which is the best mass gainer protein and pack in sealed containers to ease security screening and reduce gate complications.
Exceptions to fees: TrueBlue Mosaic, active military, and special ticket types
Recommendation: Verify Mosaic status or active-duty credentials attached to your reservation early so any applicable bag waivers appear on the booking and at check-in.
TrueBlue Mosaic members should log into their loyalty account, confirm the membership number populates the reservation, and save a screenshot of the status page. Mosaic benefits commonly include waived standard bag fees on qualifying fare classes; if the waiver does not appear, call the airline contact center with your reservation locator and request manual application prior to travel.
Active U.S. military must present a valid Uniformed Services ID (Common Access Card, Military ID) and, when applicable, official travel orders at the ticket counter. Counter agents can apply eligible waivers once documentation is shown; arrive earlier than typical to allow time for manual processing and keep digital copies of IDs and orders accessible.
Special ticket types – including award bookings, refundable fares, premium-cabin itineraries, government-contracted travel, and infant-in-lap tickets – often carry different bag allowances than basic fares. Review the fare rules on the e-ticket receipt: the itinerary language will state whether an onboard bag or additional checked allowance is included. If the policy is unclear, request written confirmation from reservations and save that email.
Practical steps: attach your loyalty number to the booking, save screenshots of status pages and required IDs, request written waiver confirmation via email or reference code, print the e-ticket showing applied waivers, and arrive early when manual counter intervention may be needed. If a waiver is not honored at boarding, present the saved documentation and politely request supervisor review.
Practical ways to avoid cabin-bag fees: fare selection, upgrades, and partner benefits
Select a fare that already includes one cabin bag plus a personal item at booking; adding items via the airline website or app before arriving at the airport is almost always less expensive than purchasing at the counter or gate.
- Price-compare bundles vs single add-ons: calculate bundle premium ÷ expected add-on cost. If bundle premium is less than or similar to the sum of the bag fee plus desired seat, buy the bundle.
- Prepay during online check-in when plans change; online add-ons typically run lower than counter or gate rates and avoid last-minute surprises.
- Consider a paid upgrade when upgrade cost is lower than cumulative add-on charges (bag + preferred seat). Check upgrade offers in the app at time of booking and 24–48 hours before departure.
- Use elite status or partner-program benefits to obtain complimentary cabin-bag allowance or priority boarding. Credit cards that accelerate status or provide ancillary credits can offset many add-on expenses.
- If a bag might be borderline in size, gate agents often enforce stricter limits. If reluctant to check at the gate, drop the item at ticket counter early to avoid higher gate surcharges and boarding delays.
- Optimize packing to rely on a single under-seat personal item: use a slim backpack or tote designed to fit beneath the seat, compressible organizers, and wear bulky footwear and outerwear to free space inside the bag.
- When travelling split itineraries with partner carriers, review the marketed allowance on each flight segment and select the most generous segment as the deciding policy; sometimes upgrading one segment prevents fees on the rest.
Apply these steps in this order: (1) compare bundle vs add-on at booking, (2) prepay any add-ons via app, (3) evaluate upgrades if cheaper than separate fees, (4) use status or card benefits when available, (5) pack to meet an under-seat personal-item standard. This sequence minimizes out-of-pocket spend and reduces risk of airport surprises.
