How to do it: open the carrier’s website or app, sign in to your booking using the confirmation code and last name, select “add bag,” enter quantity and any size/weight details requested, then pay with a card. Check-in access opens 24 hours before scheduled departure; after payment you can print tags at a self-service kiosk or present the mobile boarding pass/QR code at the bag drop.
Fees and limits (typical figures): expect first- and second-item fees on basic economy fares (roughly $35 and $45 for many domestic itineraries), though rates vary by fare type and loyalty status. Standard weight allowance is generally 50 lb (23 kg) per piece and maximum linear dimensions about 62 in (157 cm). Oversize and overweight surcharges apply–verify amounts on the carrier’s fees page before departure.
Practical tips: weigh and measure pieces at home to avoid surprise charges, add and pay for items during the 24-hour check-in window to speed processing, arrive at the bag-drop counter at least 45 minutes before domestic departures (allow 90–120 minutes for international flights), keep the purchase confirmation and receipt handy, and pack valuables in your carry-on.
Pre-pay and tag bags via the carrier website or mobile app
Pre-pay and add suitcases through the airline’s website or mobile application starting 24 hours before departure to avoid kiosk queues at the airport. Locate your booking using the confirmation code, choose “add a bag” or equivalent, complete payment, and save the transaction receipt and bag reference number to your mobile boarding pass or print it.
Timing and airport procedure
Complete the web process at least 24 hours prior; arrive at the dedicated bag-drop counter no later than 45 minutes before domestic departures and 60–90 minutes before international flights depending on the destination and airport. Use the kiosk or agent only if you need a paper tag; otherwise proceed to the bag-drop lane with your mobile boarding pass and receipt.
Size, weight and fees – practical figures
Standard allowance: most fare types accept one or two standard hold items subject to charges for non-elite customers. Typical domestic fees range roughly $30–40 for the first item and $40–60 for a second item; elite-tier passengers and certain co-branded cardholders may receive one free. Weight limit for standard items is 50 lb (23 kg); maximum linear dimensions are 62 in (158 cm). Overweight (51–70 lb / 23–32 kg) and oversize items incur additional surcharges, often in the $100–200 range per segment. Fees vary by route and fare, so confirm amounts on the carrier’s tariff page before payment.
To avoid penalties, weigh suitcases at home, distribute contents to meet limits, secure fragile items, keep the payment receipt until final delivery, and modify purchases through “Manage My Trip” on the website or app if plans change. Agents at the counter can assist but cannot always waive pre-purchase charges.
How to add hold bags during web check-in (step-by-step)
Add hold bags via the carrier’s website or mobile app during web check-in; doing this at the check-in opening (typically 24 hours before departure) usually secures the lowest fee.
Step-by-step procedure
1. Open the airline website or app and go to “Manage trips” or “Check-in.”
2. Enter your reservation code (PNR) and passenger surname, then proceed to the reservation.
3. Select the passenger and tap the “Bags” or “Add bags” option.
4. Choose the number of hold bags to add for each traveler and confirm that dimensions and weight meet the carrier’s limits.
5. Review per-bag charges displayed on-screen – typical domestic economy fees: first bag $35, second bag $45 (amounts vary by route, fare class and travel date).
6. Complete payment using a credit/debit card or digital wallet; save the confirmation/receipt sent to your email or shown on-screen.
7. After purchase the booking updates automatically; your boarding pass will reflect the purchased bag allowance – save a copy to your phone or print it.
At the airport
8. Arrive early; if bags were added beforehand, use self-service bag-drop kiosks or airline counter to check hold bags, where agents will print tags and give a baggage receipt.
9. Weight and size limits commonly enforced: 50 lb (23 kg) per bag and 62 linear inches (158 cm); expect overweight/oversize surcharges if limits exceeded.
10. Loyalty status, certain fare types and cobranded credit card benefits may include free hold bags – verify eligibility in “Manage trips” before purchasing extra pieces.
Prefer the mobile app for speed and instant boarding-pass updates; use the website when you need printable receipts or to manage multiple passengers at once.
Mobile app – exact actions
1. Open the carrier app and sign in to your account.
2. Tap Trips (or My Trips), select the reservation, then tap Manage trip.
3. Choose Add bags, select quantity per passenger, confirm fees shown on screen.
4. Pay using saved card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay; confirm payment to complete purchase.
5. App updates the boarding pass instantly and offers Add to Wallet; saved payment and notifications speed repeat purchases.
6. At the airport present the mobile boarding pass and the purchase confirmation at the bag-drop kiosk or counter; bag tags must be printed at airport kiosks or counters.
Website – exact actions
1. Go to the carrier website, sign in or choose Manage trips and enter confirmation plus last name.
2. Open the reservation, click Add bags, set quantity per passenger, review displayed fees.
3. Complete payment using card or alternative web payment options; download or print the receipt shown after purchase.
4. The updated boarding pass is emailed or available as a PDF for download; use the PDF if you prefer a printed copy or to add it to a desktop wallet.
5. At the airport present either the printed boarding pass or the PDF on a mobile device at bag-drop; collect printed bag tags from kiosks or agents.
Key differences: the app pushes instant boarding-pass updates and supports mobile-wallet adds plus stored payment methods; the website makes printing receipts and handling multiple passengers slightly easier and is preferable when you need a physical proof of purchase before travel.
When to pay: carrier web hold-bag cutoff times and deadlines
Pay for hold bags during web check-in: available starting 24 hours before scheduled departure and closing 60 minutes prior for domestic itineraries and 120 minutes prior for international itineraries that originate or connect outside the U.S.
- Web / Manage Trips / mobile app – purchases accepted from 24 hours before departure until the cutoff above; have your confirmation code and passenger last name ready.
- Self‑service kiosks – usually accept payment and tag bags until 45 minutes before domestic departures and 60–90 minutes before international departures; pay by card at the kiosk.
- Ticket counter / bag drop – counters commonly close 45 minutes before domestic flights and 60–90 minutes before international flights; some airports or specific routes require earlier drop-off (check the airport page).
- Gate purchases – allowed only at the gate agent’s discretion and only in a narrow window before departure; availability is limited and fees may be higher than prepay rates.
- Connecting itineraries – add baggage for the entire ticket before the first segment’s check-in cutoff; when multiple carriers are on the ticket, comply with the most restrictive carrier’s deadline.
- Buy at booking or during web check-in to secure the lowest fees and avoid airport surcharges.
- Verify exact cutoff times shown on your reservation and the carrier’s FAQ; some airports enforce bag-drop closure earlier than the standard times listed above.
- Have a payment card and travel documents ready; for international travel keep passport details accessible when adding baggage after booking.
Airline baggage fees, size and weight limits you need to follow
Weigh and measure your suitcase before you leave home: maximum linear dimensions for an item stowed in the aircraft hold are 62 inches (157 cm); standard weight per piece is 50 lb (23 kg). Pieces between 51–70 lb (23–32 kg) incur an overweight charge; pieces over 70 lb may be refused for regular carriage or require special handling and higher fees.
Typical U.S. domestic fees (ranges current for this carrier): first piece $35, second piece $45. Overweight surcharges: 51–70 lb – about $100; 71–100 lb – about $200. Oversize surcharge for items exceeding 62 linear inches but under 80 inches – about $100. Items over roughly 80 inches or exceeding 100 lb usually need to move as cargo/freight rather than as a standard piece.
Special-item rules: musical instruments, bicycles, skis and surfboards may be accepted as a single piece if they meet size/weight limits; oversized sports gear typically triggers the oversize fee and may require additional packaging (bike: partial disassembly and frame protection). Fragile or high-value items should use hard cases and consider declared value coverage or separate shipping.
Waivers and complimentary pieces: premium cabin tickets, top-tier loyalty members and some co-branded credit-card holders receive one or more complimentary stowed pieces. Active-duty military documentation often qualifies for different allowances – present orders at the ticket counter for confirmation.
Practical tips: use a portable scale and soft-sided bags to stay within linear limits; shift heavy items into a second bag to avoid the first overweight bracket; clearly tag oversized items and arrive early if special handling or gate-checking arrangements are needed.
If web check-in rejects your bag: troubleshooting and airport alternatives
Go directly to the ticket counter or self-service kiosk at the airport and add the item there; aim to arrive at least 45 minutes before domestic departure and 60 minutes before international departure when adding at the airport.
Immediate troubleshooting sequence to try before leaving home or the hotel:
Problem | Action | Expected result |
---|---|---|
Payment declined | Retry using a different card, confirm billing address and CVV, or call your bank | Charge processes; fee appears on itinerary or receipt |
Web form won’t accept dimensions or weight | Switch browser or use the carrier’s mobile app, clear cache, disable ad blockers, try incognito mode | Form accepts entry; fee added to reservation |
Seat or fare class blocks adding an item | Call customer service or go to airport desk for manual override | Agent updates reservation; receipt issued |
System error during check-in | Save error screenshot, note time, retry later, then visit kiosk or counter if still failing | Agent can complete transaction and attach evidence to booking |
What to bring to the counter or kiosk: boarding pass (mobile or printed), government ID, reservation code, the card used for payment or proof of pre-purchase, and any error confirmation or screenshot. If you purchased allowance earlier, present the receipt to avoid duplicate charges.
Airport options and when to use each:
– Self-service kiosk: fastest for routine additions and printing bag tags; most kiosks accept card payments and print receipts instantly.
– Curbside drop: useful when you have heavy items and need staff assistance; staff can add the item to the booking and tag it curbside, but expect an extra fee for curbside handling on some routes.
– Ticket counter: use for fare-class or system overrides, payment problems, or when you have documentation to show prior purchase; staff can escalate to back-office if required.
– Gate agent or baggage service desk: use only if you could not add the item earlier and there is no ticket counter available; agents can accept bags up until the carrier’s final bag-drop cutoff time.
Weight and oversize handling: if your suitcase exceeds published weight limits, expect overweight or oversize charges at the counter. Ask for a scale reading and a written receipt showing the applied charge. When possible, redistribute contents to a carry-on or remove items that trigger extra fees.
If the item is damaged, refuses to close, or exceeds size limits and cannot be accepted for the hold, request a written refusal and contact ground staff about alternative routing, cargo options, or check-in at a later counter. For replacement or hard-shell options near the airport, consider local retailers such as best luggage store montreal.
If you are short on time at the airport: prioritize the ticket counter or curbside staff over phone support. Keep receipts for any extra charges and ask for an itemized receipt linking the fee to your PNR for refunds or disputes.
How fare type and TrueBlue status change your web hold-bag allowance
Select a fare that already includes the number of hold items you plan to stow; buying a higher fare at booking is usually cheaper than paying at the airport.
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Fare-tier effects:
- Base economy fares generally include 0 complimentary hold items; mid-level fares commonly include 1 free hold item; premium fares and Mint typically include 2 free hold items plus priority handling.
- Fare codes shown on your e-ticket (example: BLUE, BLUE PLUS, BLUE EXTRA, MINT) determine included hold allowances and per-bag prices for extra items.
- If you upgrade after purchase, the new fare’s included hold allowance applies from the moment the reservation is reissued, so perform upgrades before check-in to lock the benefit.
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TrueBlue account status effects:
- Base members pay standard per-bag charges unless their fare includes a complimentary hold item.
- Mosaic members receive waived fees for multiple hold items and priority bag handling; enter the TrueBlue number on the reservation to display fee waivers during web check-in or Manage Trips.
- Holders of the airline’s co-branded credit card are typically eligible for at least one waived hold-bag fee for the cardmember plus covered companions on the same record; ensure the card number or benefit code is linked to the booking.
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How the system applies benefits (practical signs):
- During web check-in or when adding bags in Manage Trips, a waived fee displays as $0 for each eligible hold item; a regular fee appears as a dollar amount per bag.
- If fee waivers don’t appear despite eligible fare or status, verify: the exact fare code on the e-ticket, that the TrueBlue number is added to the PNR, and that a qualifying co-branded card number is recorded.
- Discrepancies often resolve by re-entering the loyalty number and refreshing the reservation; if not, contact reservations or add proof of status at bag drop.
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Quick action checklist before departure:
- Confirm fare code on the e-ticket and compare included hold items versus your requirement.
- Add your TrueBlue number to the reservation and attach any co-branded card number to claim member or card benefits.
- Pre-purchase additional hold items via Manage Trips to secure the lower web rate rather than paying at the counter.
- Keep screenshots of waived-fee lines during web check-in as backup at bag drop.
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Extra tip for transporting metal items or tools: secure and prepare containers ahead of travel; if rust is present on an air-compressor tank, treat it before departure – see simple steps for removing rust from an air compressor tank.