Packing A Big Bag - Beware Of Weighty Matters
(August 8, 2003 -- Updated November 5, 2003)
(New: US Airways changes bag weight policy)
I won't mince words: I am angry. You see, I decided to pack one big 26-inch top-of-the-line wheeled TravelPro Platinum 3 bag for three people. I figured, why pack three different bags when I could put the contents for one adult and two kids into one bag. After all, isn't this easier? Also, isn't this better for the airline? Technically, with three tickets I could have checked six bags. Isn't less best? Apparently, not.
Weighty Matters
My one and only checked bag ended up at 64 pounds - 14 pounds over America West's 50-pound limit. When the gate agent told me they only allow 50 pounds, I was stunned. When I purchased the tickets back in April the contract of carriage stated 70 pounds. "Oh, that changed April 30," remarked the agent. Well, silly me! I was in airline hell and thus forced to pay an extra $50! Point blank, I felt gouged.
Stupid Airline Tricks
To me, this is where airlines get stupid. With three tickets, I technically could have checked 300 pounds worth of luggage. Yes, the bag was heavy, but it wasn't over the limit. In fact, the airline made out on us - we checked less and ended up penalized! America West isn't the only airline with a 50-pound limit, most airlines charge for bags over 50 pounds. The exceptions are AirTran, Southwest,
and JetBlues they allow 70 pounds. Unfortunately, for me, America West charges the highest rate for bags over 50 pounds at $50 dollars, the rest are $25 over 50 pounds.
Know Before You Go
Even the travel savvy can be caught off guard by airlines changing rules in the middle of the game. So, let my naiveté be a clear warning to every traveler. Know before you go. Moreover, even if you think you know, check again. Chances are they will change the rules after you buy your ticket.
Airline Baggage Limits
Listed below are the latest baggage allowances and fees as of 11/6/03. Keep in mind excess charges are for ONE-WAY only.
| Airline |
Number
Of Checked Bags Allowed |
Baggage
Weight Allowance
(one-way) |
Fee
For Overweight Bag
(one-way) |
Charge
For Extra Pieces
(one-way) |
| AirTran
Airways |
3 |
70 pounds |
No baggage accepted over 70
pounds. |
$50 per extra piece of
luggage. |
| Alaska
Airlines |
2 |
70 pounds before 10/1/03
----
50 pounds after 10/1/03
|
$25--51 to 70 pounds.
$50--71 to 100 pounds.
(no baggage accepted over 100 pounds) |
$50 per piece for the first
three additional pieces.
$75 per piece for the fourth, fifth, and sixth additional pieces. |
| American
Airlines |
2 |
50 pounds (domestic)
70 pounds (International) |
$25--51 to 70 pounds.
$50--71 to 100 pounds.
(no baggage accepted over 100 pounds) |
$80 per piece for the first
three additional pieces.
$105 per piece for the fourth, fifth, and sixth.
$180 per piece for the seventh and beyond. |
| America
West |
2 |
50 pounds |
$50--51 to 70 pounds.
$80--71 to 100 pounds.
(no baggage accepted over 100 pounds) |
$80 per extra piece of
luggage. |
| Continental
Airlines |
2 |
50 pounds (domestic)
70 pounds for First Class,
BusinessFirst and International Business Class |
$25--51 to 70 pounds.
$50--71 to 100 pounds.
(no baggage accepted over 100 pounds) |
$80 per extra piece of
luggage. |
| Delta
Air Lines |
2 |
50 pounds (domestic)
70 pounds (International) |
$25--51 to 70 pounds.
$50--71 to 100 pounds.
(no baggage accepted over 100 pounds) |
$80 per extra piece of
luggage. |
| JetBlue
Airways |
3
2 Puerto Rico flights. |
70 pounds |
$50- 71 to 100 pounds. |
$50 per extra piece of
luggage. |
| Northwest
Airlines |
2 |
50 pounds (domestic)
70 pounds (International) |
$25--51 to 70 pounds.
$50--71 to 100 pounds.
(no baggage accepted over 100 pounds) |
$80 per piece for the first
three additional pieces.
$105 per piece for the fourth, fifth, and sixth additional pieces.
$180 per piece for the seventh and any additional pieces.
(International rates are much higher and depend upon departure city and
destination.) |
| Southwest
Airlines |
3 |
70 pounds |
71 to 100 pounds (prices
range from $35-$70 depending upon item)
(no baggage accepted over 100 pounds) |
$40 per fourth, fifth
additional pieces.
$60 per piece for the sixth thru ninth.
$110 per piece thereafter. |
| United
Airlines |
2 |
50 pounds (domestic)
International allowance, size and weight rules may vary by destination. |
$25--51 to 99 pounds.
International allowance, size and weight rules may vary by destination.
(no baggage accepted over 99 pounds) |
$80 per extra piece of
luggage. |
| US
Airways |
2 |
50 pounds (domestic
& International) |
$25--71 to 100 pounds.
$80--71 to 100 pounds.
(no baggage accepted over 100 pounds)
|
$80 per first, second &
third extra piece of
luggage.
$105 per fourth, fifth & sixth extra piece
of
luggage.
|
Click here to return to article index
