Michael Turner
Add bags during the initial reservation or via the airline’s Manage Trips tool up to 24 hours before departure; online pricing typically beats kiosk and gate charges. Pre-purchase secures allowance across all flight segments and prevents last-minute rate spikes.
Accepted tender: major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, travel credit and vouchers. Charges post to the card at time of purchase and appear on the itinerary email and mobile wallet.
Typical fee ranges: when purchased ahead, first checked piece usually $30–45, second piece $45–60; airport counter rates commonly add $10–20 per piece. Overweight items (51–100 lb / 23–45 kg) typically carry surcharges $100–200; oversize pieces (>62 in / 157 cm linear) typically carry surcharges $100–200. Special-equipment fees vary by item and benefit from advance purchase discounts.
Carry-on policy: a personal item is included with most fare classes. Cabin bag dimensions commonly 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm). Some basic fares allow only a personal item unless a cabin bag is added during booking or via the app; gate-added cabin bags usually incur higher charges.
Practical tips: add extras through the mobile app or Manage Trips to avoid duplicate charges, save screenshots of receipts, verify fare-family benefits that may waive checked-piece fees, and present mobile receipts at check-in to speed processing and dispute any unexpected counter charges.
Settle checked-bag charges with the carrier
Buy checked-bag allowance online during booking or via Manage Trips to save about $10 per piece compared with airport counter rates.
Accepted payment methods: major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay on the mobile site; airport ticket counters may accept cash at select locations–confirm availability at the departure airport.
Carry-on and personal item included with most fare types; some basic fares exclude checked-bag allowance–inspect fare rules in Manage Trips well ahead of travel.
Typical domestic fee examples; verify current numbers on the carrier’s website prior to travel:
| Bag type | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First checked bag | $35 | Applies to standard economy fares |
| Second checked bag | $45 | Rates may vary by route and fare class |
| Oversize (over 62 linear inches) | $150 | May be refused at gate if dimensions exceed limits |
| Overweight (51–100 lb) | $150 | Items over 100 lb typically not accepted as checked |
Practical tips: enroll in an elite program that waives checked-bag charges; buy a bundle fare that includes checked allowances; pre-weigh and measure bags at home to avoid overweight or oversize penalties; add checked-bag during mobile check-in to capture lower online rates; compare checked fees with courier shipping when transporting bulky or heavy items.
Settling checked-bag fees during online booking
Add checked bag(s) during the reservation to secure the lowest ancillary rate: typical domestic charges run $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second when added at booking; airport-counter charges commonly exceed online rates by $10–$20.
Accepted methods
Website and mobile app accept major credit and debit cards, mobile wallets (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet) and airline gift certificates or travel credit at checkout. Transaction posts immediately and appears on the confirmation email plus the reservation record.
Timing and modification
Add at reservation time or later via Manage Trip up to web check-in opening (typically 24 hours prior to departure). Adding earlier locks the lower online ancillary price and links charges to the itinerary; adding at the airport usually triggers the higher counter charge and may require an additional paper receipt.
Elite-status members and certain co-branded cardholders often have checked-bag fees waived; eligibility applies automatically when the qualifying account or card is attached to the reservation. Refunds of ancillary charges follow the carrier’s fare and cancellation rules and generally return to the original transaction method; request through Manage Trip or customer service.
Verify weight and size limits while selecting checked bag(s): standard weight limits commonly 50 lb (23 kg), with overweight/oversize surcharges shown during online selection or assessed at the airport. Keep confirmation number and receipts to dispute any incorrect charges.
Add and purchase bags after booking via Manage Trips, mobile app, kiosks
Add a checked piece via Manage Trips at least 4 hours prior to departure to lock in lower online rates versus same-day airport charges.
Manage Trips and mobile app
Sign into the reservation with confirmation code, open the trip, select Add Bags, declare number of pieces and estimated weight, then complete the transaction using the card on file or a new card. Electronic receipt is sent immediately; present that confirmation at bag drop if requested. Mobile app supports saved cards plus Apple Pay or Google Pay where enabled, and changes sync across the account in real time.
Airport kiosks and ticket counters
Scan boarding pass or enter confirmation code at a kiosk, follow prompts to add pieces, print tags and attach to each case. Kiosks typically accept major credit/debit cards; if a kiosk cannot process the request, proceed to the ticket counter (some counters accept cash). Day-of-airport rates at kiosks and gates are higher than Manage Trips or app rates.
Standard checked-piece parameters: up to 50 lb (23 kg) per piece, overweight surcharges apply between 51–100 lb, maximum single-piece weight 100 lb; linear dimension limit commonly 62 inches (length + width + height). Add pieces early when possible, and select suitcases sized to these limits – see best luggage for older woman and best luggage scooter for kids.
Counter and gate handling of bag fees – accepted payment methods at airports
Arrive at the ticket counter or bag-drop with a major credit card or contactless wallet ready to settle checked-bag fees.
Agents require a boarding pass and government ID; present both before fee processing. After bag tagging, request an itemized receipt showing fee type (first, second, overweight, oversize) and amount; retain receipt to support expense reports and lost-bag claims.
- Major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are widely accepted at ticket counters and portable gate terminals.
- Debit cards: PIN or signature-based debit accepted at many airport desks; ensure available balance and PIN access.
- Contactless wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay accepted at an increasing number of counters and handheld POS devices.
- Airline e-gift cards and travel vouchers: acceptance varies by carrier; agents can often apply electronic credits but confirmation prior to arrival is advised.
- Cash: acceptance varies by airport and carrier; some ticket counters accept USD, while gate agents and handheld terminals commonly decline cash.
- Prepaid cards and traveler checks: limited acceptance; verify with the carrier ahead of travel.
Gate-checked items are processed when overhead space is unavailable or a bag must be checked at the gate; fees are typically charged via handheld card terminals and cash is seldom accepted. If a card decline occurs at the gate, request assistance from a supervisor to explore alternate settlement options.
- Allow 45–60 minutes at the ticket counter when checked items are expected; add extra time during holiday and peak windows.
- Carry a backup payment method with sufficient limit to cover overweight or oversize surcharges.
- Keep both electronic and paper receipts until final flight completion and baggage delivery confirmation.
- For disputed airport charges, collect the bag tag number, agent name and receipt, then escalate through the carrier’s customer service channel.
Policies vary by carrier and airport; confirm acceptance rules with the carrier prior to travel to avoid last-minute issues.
Oversize, overweight, and special-item surcharges: calculation and actions
Purchase excess-item surcharges online via Manage Trips or the mobile app to reduce total charges; fees are additive: base checked-bag rate + overweight surcharge + oversize surcharge + special-item fee.
Fee calculation
Standard thresholds: weight brackets 0–50 lb (0–23 kg) = no overweight surcharge; 51–70 lb (23–32 kg) = overweight surcharge; 71–100 lb (32–45 kg) = higher overweight surcharge. Dimensional limit: 62 linear inches (length + width + height) is the typical cutoff before an oversize surcharge applies. Surcharges add to the base checked-bag rate; special-item fees may apply instead of, or in addition to, overweight/oversize charges depending on carrier policy.
Examples and practical actions
Example rates (subject to carrier change): base checked-bag $35 first, $45 second; overweight 51–70 lb +$100; 71–100 lb +$200; oversize (>62 in linear) +$150; common special-item charge (skis, surfboards, bicycles) +$100–$200. Total calculation example: one checked bag with base $35, overweight +$100 and oversize +$150 results in $285 total. Weigh each bag with a digital scale and measure linear dimensions before travel; keep individual items under 50 lb and under 62 linear inches to avoid surcharges. Redistribute heavy contents across multiple bags, ship bulky items via ground freight when economical, and reserve special-item handling during booking or via Manage Trips to secure acceptance and often lower rates than gate transactions.
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