Michael Turner
Purchase extra bag allowance via the carrier’s website or mobile app before arriving at the terminal. Typical online fees for the first piece stored in the aircraft hold range roughly $30–$70 depending on route and booking timing; transactions at the ticket counter or at the boarding area commonly run $60–$150 or more, so procuring allowance in advance frequently saves 50% or greater.
Available purchase channels: Manage the reservation in the mobile app or on the airline site, select the traveler, then pay for an additional piece and retain the confirmation on the device. At the airport, use a self-service kiosk or the ticket desk; agents at the boarding zone can accept last-minute payments but capacity and pricing vary by flight. Keep the booking reference and digital receipt accessible until gates have closed.
Dimensional and weight limits: personal items typically must fit under the seat (about 18 x 14 x 8 in), carry-ons commonly measure up to 22 x 18 x 10 in, and hold pieces usually must not exceed 62 linear inches (157 cm). Overweight and oversize surcharges apply and escalate with excess weight or size; general practice is to keep checked weight within the lower tier to avoid supplemental charges at the airport.
Practical tips: weigh bags at home with a luggage scale, distribute heavy items between carry and hold pieces when possible, and compare prices in the app versus the kiosk before paying. For itineraries with tight connection times, purchase baggage online to guarantee allowance and reduce the chance of gate refusal or elevated last-minute fees.
Include baggage following online registration with the carrier
Recommendation: purchase extra bag allowance via the carrier’s website or mobile app before arriving at the airport – web rates are typically much lower than airport or gate prices.
When to modify a reservation
Modifications are usually accepted up to the moment of boarding-pass issuance. Typical windows: through the Manage Travel portal or app until roughly 60–90 minutes before departure for domestic flights, at airport kiosks up to the same cutoff, and at the gate only if space and airline policy allow. Waiting until the terminal often triggers the highest fees.
How to proceed and cost-saving measures
Steps: locate the booking reference and passenger last name, open Manage Travel on the carrier site or app, select baggage options and complete payment. Alternative channels: airport kiosk, bag drop counter, or phone support – with escalating charges in that order. Typical US ULCC fee ranges (approximate): checked piece $30–$60 when purchased online ahead of travel, $60–$100 when purchased at the airport/gate; carry-on $35–$70 online, $65–$100 at the airport. Weigh and measure items at home; oversize/overweight surcharges apply and are substantially higher than standard fees. Consider bundled bundles or loyalty offers from the carrier that include one or more pieces, which can reduce per-item cost for travelers planning to bring several bags.
Purchase extra bags once the web boarding pass is issued – step-by-step for the airline
Buy additional pieces via Manage Travel on the carrier website or mobile app as soon as the online boarding pass is issued; airport and gate purchases carry higher charges.
- Sign in with confirmation code and last name on the airline site or app.
- Open the booking (My Trips / Manage Travel) and choose the baggage or “Purchase bags” option for the passenger.
- Select type and quantity: personal item (free), carry-on, or hold piece; confirm dimensions and weight allowance for each piece before checkout.
- Complete payment with card; save the confirmation or screenshot – mobile boarding pass will reflect the paid pieces at bag drop.
- If online purchase is not possible, buy at a self-service kiosk, ticket counter, or at the gate – expect significantly higher fees and limited availability of space in the hold.
Timing and typical charges (2024)
- Online purchase window: usually up to ~1 hour prior to scheduled departure on web/app; airport purchases continue up to gate close but at higher cost.
- Sample price ranges: hold piece prepaid ~$30–$50; carry-on prepaid ~$45–$55; airport/gate prices commonly $20–$40 higher than web rates.
- Overweight/oversize fees apply if a piece exceeds published limits.
Size, weight and family tip
- Personal item max: 18 × 14 × 8 in (approx). Carry-on max: 22 × 18 × 10 in (including wheels/handles). Hold piece max: 62 linear inches (L+W+H).
- Typical weight allowance for a hold piece: around 40 lb (18 kg); confirm exact limit on the carrier site for a specific flight.
- Traveling with children: consider compact ride-on cases that meet personal-item or carry-on rules – see best luggage for kids to ride on for models that save space and avoid extra fees.
How to calculate fees when purchasing extra baggage following boarding-pass issuance
Recommendation: purchase extra pieces prior to boarding-pass issuance to lock the lowest per-piece rate; gate or kiosk purchases typically cost 2–3× more.
Step 1 – Identify channel and timing. Rates depend on where the transaction happens: online during booking or before boarding-pass issuance (typical range US domestic: $25–$65 per piece), at the airline app/web after boarding-pass issuance (applicable window; $35–$80), kiosk at airport ($45–$95), and gate/agent (highest: $60–$120). International routes may shift those bands upward by $10–$40.
Step 2 – Count pieces and apply per-piece pricing. If purchasing multiple pieces, multiply the per-piece rate by quantity. Example: two pieces purchased in-app at $50 each = $100.
Step 3 – Add overweight and oversize surcharges. Common surcharges: overweight 51–70 lb (~$75–$150), overweight 71–100 lb (~$150–$300), oversize (>62 linear inches) (~$100–$200). These apply per offending piece. Example: one piece purchased at gate $70 + overweight $100 = $170.
Step 4 – Include secondary fees and taxes. Some carriers add a processing or administrative fee for same-day or gate transactions (typical $10–$30). Federal taxes and airport-imposed fees vary by airport; estimate an extra 5–10% on the subtotal for budgeting.
Quick formula: Total fee = (per-piece rate × number of pieces) + sum(overweight surcharges) + sum(oversize surcharges) + processing fees + taxes.
Numeric example (domestic, at gate): 1 extra piece ($80 gate rate) + overweight 55 lb ($100) + processing $20 + 8% tax = (80+100+20)×1.08 = $216.00.
Practical tips to lower cost: choose one properly sized and weighted case instead of multiple pieces; verify allowed dimensions and weight on carrier site; buy extra piece online well before boarding-pass issuance. For a suitcase that meets strict size/weight thresholds and avoids surcharges consult best luggage shop nyc.
Cutoff times: latest moment to purchase bags on the airline
Recommendation: purchase bag service via the carrier’s website or mobile app no later than 1 hour prior to scheduled departure for domestic trips and no later than 2 hours prior for international sectors; airport counters and self-service kiosks generally stop accepting checked items 45 minutes before domestic departures and 60–90 minutes before international departures.
Online vs. airport windows
Online boarding pass issuance typically opens 24 hours before departure; the baggage-purchase option in that portal commonly closes at the same time limits noted above (1 hour domestic, 2 hours international). Purchasing through the website or app yields the lowest fees; counter or gate transactions are frequently priced at 2–3× the online rate. Mobile purchases completed while at the airport are processed as online purchases only if completed prior to the carrier’s stated cutoff.
If deadlines are missed
If the online/portal window has closed and the counter/bag-drop cutoff has passed, gate agents may accept items as gate-checked during boarding, subject to space and time constraints, or refuse acceptance if processing cannot be completed safely. Gate-check fees tend to match or exceed counter rates. Recommended actions for travelers: arrive at the airport with ample margin (minimum 90 minutes for domestic, 2–3 hours for international), weigh and tag items at self-service kiosks when available, retain purchase confirmations and bag tags, and consult the flight’s specific arrival/departure instructions for any route-specific cutoffs.
Airport kiosk vs gate: bag fees and procedures
Buy baggage allowance at the self-service kiosk instead of at the departure gate; expected savings per bag: US$25–60 on domestic itineraries and US$40–100 on international sectors.
Cost differences (practical numbers)
Typical fee ranges encountered for an ultra-low-cost carrier: pre-purchase during booking usually cheapest (refer to other article sections), kiosk purchases commonly fall in the mid-range, gate transactions carry the highest premium. Example sample ranges observed across U.S. airports:
| Point of sale | Typical fee (domestic) | Typical fee (international) | Fee delta vs kiosk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiosk (self-service) | US$45–75 | US$60–120 | Baseline |
| Gate (agent) | US$75–140 | US$100–200 | +US$30–70 |
| Ticket counter (agent) | US$80–150 | US$110–220 | +US$35–80 |
Process differences and actionable recommendations
Kiosk workflow: select passenger record at the terminal, choose bag allowance, pay by card (tap/chip/contactless accepted at most machines), print bag tag, affix tag to each suitcase, proceed to the bag-drop desk for handling. Expect 2–8 minutes total at the kiosk; lines grow closer to departure.
Gate workflow: payment processed by gate agent or supervisor; acceptance can be discretionary based on aircraft load and space; hand-tagging by staff typical; expect a surcharge and longer interaction time (5–20+ minutes). Some gates refuse checked items if bag-drop closed or aircraft weight limits reached.
Risk management: use the kiosk to lock-in a mid-tier price and obtain printed tags before security lines become long. Bring a credit/debit card with NFC capability to reduce transaction failures at kiosks. If meters display “card error,” move to agent line immediately to avoid last-minute gate surcharges.
When dealing with multiple pieces, purchase all pieces at once at the kiosk: system often applies a single transaction fee and avoids repeated gate surcharges. For oversized or overweight pieces, expect separate surcharges at both kiosk and gate; pay at kiosk to receive weight info and repair options sooner.
Required documents and bag tagging for baggage included post-boarding-pass issuance
Present a government-issued photo ID (passport or national driving licence), the reservation code (PNR) and the boarding pass – mobile or printed – when registering extra hold baggage at the airport or gate.
For international itineraries carry a passport valid for at least six months from arrival, any required visas or entry permits, and destination-specific health documents (vaccination certificates or digital passenger locator forms where requested). For U.S.-bound travel include ESTA or visa documentation as applicable.
Self-service kiosk tagging: select the bag-registration option, pay applicable fees, print the adhesive tag, thread the strap through the bag handle and close until it locks; attach tag to the exterior handle (not inside external pockets) with barcode facing outward for scanner access. Retain the printed receipt stub – it contains the bag barcode and tracking information.
Agent tagging at the airport or gate: present documents at the counter; agent will weigh the piece, attach an official tag showing routing and final destination, and hand over a baggage receipt. If the routing requires interline transfer, confirm the tag displays the final airport code.
Weight and dimension control: expect scales at drop-off and gate. Weigh pieces at home using a luggage scale to avoid overweight charges; strap-tightening and even distribution can prevent surcharges. Overweight or oversize pieces will be weighed and fees applied according to fare rules.
Security and fragile items: prohibited items must not be placed in hold; spare lithium batteries, power banks and devices with non-removable batteries belong in the cabin. Fragile content should be declared so an agent can apply a “fragile” sticker and advise on extra protection.
If a tag becomes detached or the barcode is unreadable, report immediately to the nearest agent for re-tagging and note the new receipt number. Keep the baggage receipt until the piece has been reunited with the traveller at destination.
For care and maintenance of personal travel items carried in cabin or hold, see how to clean a foot scrubber.
