How Do I Get My Baggage Fee Waiver?

Baggage fees can add up when traveling, especially if you have a lot of bags or are going to multiple locations. However, there are ways to avoid these charges and keep your costs down.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to get a credit card that offers baggage-fee waiver benefits for all airline passengers. That’s particularly true for co-branded airline cards.

American Airlines

If you’ve ever snagged a cheap flight only to be shocked by exorbitant bag fees, you’re not alone. Before 2008, airlines let passengers check bags for free, but now most major carriers charge at least $30 for the first bag and $40 or more for each additional one.

With American Airlines, you can get your checked bag fee waived if you’re an elite member or hold an American Airlines co-branded credit card. The carrier also offers free checked bags to premium cabin passengers, travelers who fly to certain destinations and active military personnel.

However, you’ll still pay standard overweight fees if your bag exceeds 50 pounds. You can avoid these fees by traveling with items that fit within their size and weight restrictions.

United Airlines

One of the best ways to avoid baggage fees with United Airlines is by using a credit card that offers free checked bags. Some cards, such as the United Explorer Card and the United Club Infinite Card, offer up to three free checked bags, which can save you $140 to $320 per trip.

However, there are other ways to avoid paying these fees as well. The first is to know the maximum allowable weight for your baggage and the fee for oversize or overweight items.

If you’re not sure how much your baggage is going to cost, you can use the online luggage fee calculator on the United website. Simply select your status tier or the United credit card you have, and it will give you an estimate of what you can expect to pay.

Delta Airlines

If you’re traveling on a Delta ticket with a Medallion elite status or Delta credit card, you may qualify for one checked bag free, or two bags at a discounted rate. However, this isn’t guaranteed and it depends on which route you are flying and your specific combination of benefits.

Delta is committed to connecting the world and respecting its passengers. As such, they believe that telling the truth is always better than lying or cheating.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines offers a variety of options for getting your baggage fee waived, including booking a bundle package or becoming a Frontier Miles Elite member. You can also get your baggage fee waived by paying online or by calling the Frontier Call Center before you fly.

Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll need to make sure that your luggage meets the airline’s standards for size and weight. Baggage that does not meet those requirements can incur additional fees at the airport.

Alternatively, you can file a lost item report if your luggage is lost or damaged while in the air. To do this, log in to your account and follow the prompts to submit a report. You can also do this through a kiosk at the airport.

Hawaiian Airlines

If you have an airline credit card that is affiliated with Hawaiian Airlines, it may be possible to get your baggage fees waived. Depending on the card, you may also be eligible for an annual travel credit that can reimburse you for the costs of baggage fees.

The first step is to ensure that you are a member of HawaiianMiles, the airline’s frequent flier program. It’s easy to do and can save you money.

For example, you can save $10 on the first checked bag for inter-island flights with an originating ticket from Hawaii. You can also take advantage of a $25 discount on your checked bags for flights between Neighbor Islands, which are islands within Hawaii.

However, there are some drawbacks to this benefit. You can’t check bags for free on flights with your spouse or children and it doesn’t include international routes.