Michael Turner
Use the airline’s bag-drop service and complete web passenger registration; arrive for handover at least 2 hours before domestic departures and 3 hours before international flights. Some carriers accept suitcase handovers up to 6 hours prior for early-arrival passengers, while others only permit deposit after web registration opens (commonly 24–48 hours before departure). For city or station storage, reserve a locker or commercial host in advance to guarantee space.
Typical registered-baggage allowances: short-haul economy usually permits 1 piece up to 23 kg (50 lb) with a 158 cm linear limit; many long-haul fares allow 2 pieces or 32 kg (70 lb) per piece. Overweight and oversize penalties commonly range from $50 to $200 per piece or $10–$20 per excess kilogram; extremely heavy items (>32 kg / 70 lb) require special handling and prior notification. Items that should not be placed in registered containers include loose lithium batteries, spare aerosol cylinders, and high-value documents–keep electronics, medication and irreplaceables in carry-on.
Short-term storage options and price benchmarks: automated lockers at major airports €4–€8 per 24 hours for small items; staffed left-luggage rooms €10–€30/day for large suitcases. Third-party services (Stasher, Bounce and equivalents) typically charge $6–$12/day depending on size and location; hotel concierge or rail-station counters can charge similar rates plus possible handling fees. Factor in transfer time and total cost before leaving items off-site from the terminal.
Practical checklist: weigh and measure each case at home; photograph exterior and contents where feasible with timestamps; attach a visible ID tag and use TSA-approved locks for US-bound travel; declare fragile, oversized or high-value items at the drop counter and retain the claim tag and receipt (photograph the receipt). For musical instruments or sports equipment, book special handling in advance and consider additional declared-value coverage or courier services when replacement cost exceeds typical carrier liability limits.
Stowing Items in the Aircraft Hold
Recommendation: Keep jewellery, passports, electronics with spare lithium cells, cash and medication inside the cabin bag; consign heavy suitcases, bulk toiletries and non-fragile clothing to the aircraft hold only after confirming weight and size limits.
Weight, size and fee benchmarks
- Standard free allowance for international economy: often 23 kg (50 lb) per piece; some carriers allow 30–32 kg (66–70 lb) per piece in higher classes.
- Linear dimension limit (length + width + height): typically 158 cm (62 in). Oversize items incur extra charges or must be freighted.
- Domestic fees for one hold piece range roughly $25–$60; overweight (23–32 kg) surcharges commonly $75–$200; truly oversized or heavy items can trigger cargo handling fees.
- Low-cost carriers frequently charge for any hold bag; prepay online to save up to 50% versus airport fares.
Packing rules and prohibited items
- Fragile gear (cameras, lenses, musical instruments): carry in cabin when possible; if placed in the hold, double-box with foam and mark the exterior with a fragile tag at check-in counter.
- Lithium batteries: spare batteries and power banks must remain in the cabin bag; devices with battery installed may be accepted in the hold only when power is disconnected and terminals insulated.
- E-cigarettes and vaping devices: forbidden in the hold on most airlines – place in carry-on.
- Liquids over 100 ml: prohibited in cabin carry-ons but permitted in the hold if sealed; pack in leak-proof containers and absorbent material to prevent damage.
- Dangerous goods (flammable aerosols, paints, certain sporting fuels): not allowed in either compartment; check airline hazardous-goods rules or consign via cargo.
- Firearms and ammunition: declaration and advance approval usually required; transport according to airline and national regulations with secure locking.
Practical steps at the airport: weigh bags at home and again at curbside or counter; attach an external name tag and an internal paper with contact details; photograph contents and exterior condition before handing over; obtain and keep the receipt issued at the counter for tracing and claims.
- For families with strollers: many carriers accept compact umbrella-style pushchairs for gate stowage into the hold; see model guidance at best umbrella fold pushchair.
- For drone owners: battery and transport rules vary by airport and national park overlay (for destination restrictions, consult resources such as are drones allowed in yosemite); carry spare batteries in the cabin.
If loss or damage occurs: file a property irregularity report at the airline desk immediately, keep boarding pass and receipt, and follow up in writing within the airline’s stated time limits (usually 7 days for domestic damaged items, 21 days for international delay claims). Consider third-party travel insurance covering checked-hold contents and high-value item declarations when necessary.
Through-transfer of bags on separate tickets
Purchase a single PNR or obtain written confirmation from both carriers that the bag will be tagged to the final destination; without that confirmation, expect to collect the bag at the connection and present it again at the next carrier’s counter.
Interline agreements determine whether ground staff will tag items to the ultimate airport. Codeshare status does not guarantee interline baggage handling; verify the presence of an interline or baggage-handling contract between the two airlines before assuming through-tagging will occur.
At origin check-in request a tag showing the final airport code and keep the baggage receipt with tag numbers. Photograph the tag and retain boarding passes for all segments. If the agent refuses final-destination tagging, leave extra time at the transfer for baggage reclaim, security, and re-issue on the second ticket.
Allow minimum connection times: for self-transfer on domestic itineraries plan 90–120 minutes; for international-to-international or international-to-domestic transfers allow 2–4 hours, plus additional time where immigration and customs require formal baggage reclaim and re-export.
Expect separate fee and allowance policies per ticket; the first carrier’s allowance does not automatically cover the second carrier’s rules. Protect high-value items in carry-on, buy travel protection that covers missed connections and baggage mishandling on self-transfer segments, and keep receipts to support any claim.
Most carriers allow early handover of hold bags up to 24 hours before departure; confirm specific carrier and airport counter hours before arrival.
Typical policy windows: legacy international services often permit drop-up to 24 hours prior; major domestic routes commonly accept items 2–4 hours before departure; low-cost operators frequently limit acceptance to same-day desk opening. Boarding pass issuance via the carrier’s website or app is usually required before any handover.
Required documents and presentation: boarding pass (mobile or printed), government ID or passport for international travel, booking reference or ticket number. Tags and routing labels are applied at the bag-drop desk; insistence on a visible boarding document is standard across most operators.
Weight and size rules: many carriers set a standard allowance around 23 kg (50 lb) per piece in economy; oversize or overweight thresholds typically begin at 32 kg (70 lb). Overweight, oversize and second-piece fees vary widely–typical ranges: domestic $30–100 per piece, international $50–200 per piece. Excess-item limits may result in refusal of acceptance at the counter.
Late arrival handling: counters generally close 45–60 minutes before domestic departures and 60–90 minutes before international departures; any presentation after counter closure is routinely refused. Some carriers may accept last-minute handovers at gate area depending on aircraft turnaround and security constraints, but that remains discretionary and should not be relied upon.
Quick checklist
– Confirm carrier-specific early drop window and desk opening hours for the origin airport.
– Obtain boarding pass online where possible; otherwise have reservation code and valid ID ready.
– Verify weight and size allowances plus applicable fees in advance.
– Remove or declare prohibited items (spare lithium batteries must travel in carry-on under most rules).
– For arrivals after counter closure, contact the carrier immediately; alternative options may include next-flight transfer or paid short-term airport storage.
| Scenario | Typical deadline before departure | Required action | Notes / typical fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early drop (day before) | Up to 24 hours (select international routes) | Present boarding pass, passport/ID, booking reference at bag-drop desk | May be free if within allowance; verify desk opening times |
| Same-day standard drop | 2–4 hours (domestic); 3–5 hours (international) depending on carrier | Have boarding pass and ID; arrive during desk operating hours | Standard piece fees apply per fare rules |
| Late presentation | ≤60 minutes (domestic) / ≤90 minutes (international): counters often close | Contact carrier immediately; request gate acceptance only if available | Gate acceptance discretionary; refusal common and may require rebooking or storage fees |
| After acceptance | Post-handover | Retain receipt/stub; verify routing and final-destination tags | Carrier assumes responsibility once processed; keep proof of tag number for tracking |
Changing airports between flights: immediate recommendation
Recommendation: Assume hold bags will require collection and re-drop at the alternate airport unless both carriers provide a through-tag or a single itinerary is issued; plan ground transfer and processing time accordingly.
Operational steps: Arrive at the first arrival belt, retrieve hold items, clear immigration and customs where applicable, transport to the next airport, then present hold pieces at the departing airline’s ticketing counter or bag-drop. When tickets are separate, expect no automatic transfer of responsibility by either carrier.
Timing guidance: Minimum transfer windows – same-city domestic changes: 180 minutes; international-inclusive changes: 240–360 minutes. City-specific examples: London Heathrow↔Gatwick – allow 180–240 minutes (rail 30–75 minutes plus terminal procedures); JFK↔LaGuardia – allow 150–210 minutes (road traffic variability). Add extra buffer for peak hours, customs queues or slow baggage reclaim.
Booking and liability advice: Prefer a single PNR or carriers with interline agreements to obtain through-tagging and carrier liability for missed connections. When itineraries are separate, obtain self-transfer protection or travel insurance that explicitly covers missed onward flights and rebooking costs; retain all boarding passes and bag receipts as evidence for claims.
Packing and documentation: Keep passport, visas, prescription medicines, chargers and one change of clothes in the carry-on; have printed confirmations for both bookings and contact numbers for both airlines. If through-tagging is requested, get written confirmation at the check-in counter before leaving the first airport.
Secure options to store baggage after arrival
Use airport left-baggage counters or accredited third-party drop-off networks for the best mix of security, insurance and access control.
Airport left-baggage counters: manned facilities with CCTV and restricted access; common fee structure is small locker €6–10/24h, medium €10–15/24h, large €15–25/24h; maximum unattended hold typically 7–30 days depending on the airport – verify exact limit before deposit.
Private peer-to-peer storage networks (examples: LuggageHero, Vertoe, Bounce): city-centre shops and hotels act as hosts; typical rates start at about $5–10 per day with hourly options in some cities; most providers include basic insurance (commonly $500–$3,000) – compare declared-value coverage and cancellation policy prior to booking.
Train-station and port lockers: coin- or card-operated units in multiple sizes; common pricing €3–10/day with many systems enforcing 24–72 hour maximums; cashless access increasingly common via station apps.
Hotel and hostel holds: free short-term holding for registered guests until late arrival; many properties accept deposits for non-guests for a modest fee ($5–$20); request a written receipt and note the maximum retention period (often 7–14 days).
Long-term storage and bonded warehouses: commercial facilities suitable for multi-week or multi-month stowage; rates often quoted per week or per pallet (typical starting point $10–$25/week for small items); useful for items requiring inventorying, formal insurance or customs-bonded status.
Security and documentation checklist: photograph contents and external condition before deposit; remove passports, cash, jewellery and electronics or declare them and buy supplementary insurance; use TSA-approved locks for transit; obtain and retain receipt/tag number; record provider liability limits and damage/claim timeframe (commonly 24–72 hours for damage reports).
Regulatory and customs notes: imported goods must clear customs before placement in public storage; storage providers may refuse hazardous, perishable or restricted items (liquids above airline limits, certain batteries, plants, food); confirm acceptance policy for regulated goods prior to deposit.
Operational tips: reserve space online where possible to guarantee availability; confirm opening hours and latest retrieval time to avoid extended hold fees; on retrieval inspect items in front of staff and file any damage reports immediately following provider procedures.
