6 Clever Tricks To Save On Extra Baggage Fees For Your Next Flight

Nov 16, 2023

Last Updated on: Feb 13, 2025

Travel Guides

As travel budgets swell this year with around 45% of Americans planning to spend more, finding ways to cut down on extra costs such as baggage fees, becomes increasingly important. While travelers are open to investing in their journeys, unexpected fees like those for additional baggage can quickly sour the thrill of trip planning. 

Each airline is different from another. Here are a few tips that might help you save some cash on your next trip. At the end of the article, I will share a pro tip that will save you from extra expenses. So, let’s get started then and keep reading till the end…

Here Are Six Best Tricks To Save On Extra Baggage Fees For Your Next Flight

Before you take off on your next voyage, let’s explore a few clever tactics to sidestep those irritating baggage fees and protect your travel budget from unnecessary bloat.

🧳Know Your Airline’s Baggage Policy Inside Out

When preparing for a flight, it’s imperative to delve into the baggage allowances and fees of the carrier you’ve chosen. For those flying with JetBlue, for instance, this means taking a moment to look up the JetBlue baggage fees in order to avoid any extra, unwanted costs. This step ensures that you’re up to speed on what you can take with you and what items may incur additional costs. 

By doing this, you can pack more astutely and possibly avoid the unwelcome surprise of additional fees at the airport. Regularly checking the baggage details as part of your flight booking routine can save you time, money, and stress, allowing you to travel with ease.

🧳Packing Smart: The Art of Efficient Packing 

Packing smart is much more than fitting everything into your suitcase; it’s about understanding which items are essential and how to arrange them to maximize space. Selecting multi-functional clothing and travel-sized items can drastically reduce the need for extra bags.

Using space-savers like compression bags and packing cubes enables you to fit more into a smaller space, effectively minimizing the need to check in another bag. These tools compress your clothes, making them occupy less space, which is particularly useful for bulkier items. 

🧳Wear Your Extra Baggage 

When it comes to avoiding extra baggage fees, your wardrobe can be your secret weapon. By wearing your heavier and bulkier items on the plane, you can save a significant amount of weight and space in your baggage. Some travelers have even opted for jackets that are designed with additional pockets, allowing you to carry items like tablets, books, or extra layers of clothing. While it may not replace a suitcase, this method can certainly reduce the amount of baggage you need to check-in. 

Wear Your Extra Baggage 

🧳Shipping Your Bags Ahead 

Sometimes shipping your bags to your destination might be cheaper than paying for extra baggage on a flight. This can be particularly true for those who need to transport bulky items or are facing hefty airline fees for overweight or additional bags. Companies that specialize in baggage shipping offer various benefits including insurance, tracking, and even doorstep pickup and delivery. By arranging your baggage shipment in advance, you can save both money and the hassle of dragging your bags through the airport. 

🧳Utilizing Technology and Apps 

In this digital age, technology can assist you in evading extra baggage fees. There are numerous apps designed to help you pack efficiently and estimate the weight of your baggage. Digital baggage scales can prevent surprises at the check-in counter by allowing you to weigh your bags at home and adjust them as necessary. Furthermore, many airlines have their own apps that sometimes provide notifications of last-minute deals on extra baggage, which can be a cost-effective alternative to paying the standard fees at the airport. 

🧳The Power of Loyalty: Airline Credit Cards and Frequent Flyer Programs 

Engaging with airline loyalty programs and credit cards that offer travel benefits can lead to significant savings on baggage fees. These programs often include baggage fee waivers as part of their benefits package. 

By using an airline credit card for your travel-related purchases, you can accumulate points. Further, these will cover the cost of your baggage. Some credit cards even offer one or more free checked bags as a benefit. Even this can save you money every time you fly.

As you build loyalty with an airline through its frequent flyer program, you might also achieve a status. This includes baggage fee waivers, making it easier to manage your travel expenses.

The Pro Tip: Try Checking In Early

There are some airlines that provide facilities when they check in early. This might help you to get away with the additional luggage you might have on-board. Someone who arrives at the airport late might have to deal with reverse consequences. 

The pro tip, which is reserved only for my patient readers, is also one of the most helpful ones. People who are always on time must be rewarded for their punctuality. And the good news is, some airlines do that for real! 

The attendants might let you pass and don’t even cost a fortune if there is not too much crowd. But here’s a catch! This is applicable only to a few airlines, so if you aren’t getting any- don’t be disheartened. 

Conclusion 

In an era where travel expenses are climbing, being resourceful with your approach to baggage can result in significant savings. By intimately knowing your airline’s baggage policy, packing with precision, wearing extra items, considering shipping options, leveraging technology, and using loyalty programs to your advantage, you can travel smarter. Implement these tips to navigate the often-overlooked expenses of air travel.

By being mindful of how you pack and plan, you can make sure that every dollar of your travel fund goes towards creating unforgettable moments. You do not have to spend on fees you could have dodged. Allow your next trip to be a memory book of incredible places and the unique things you do, not by the amount you spend. After all, the best memories often come from the experiences.

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Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

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