Tips for minimizing or eliminating airline fees for checked luggage.

• Most airlines charge travelers who opt to check a bag.
• In 2022, the Bureau of Transportation reported that passengers paid approximately $6.8 billion in total baggage fees.
• Experts advised travelers to consider various strategies to minimize or eliminate checked bag fees.

The cost of checking a bag at the airport has increased for travelers, making it more difficult to avoid.

Storing a checked bag in a plane's cargo hold during a flight is now standard for major airlines and comes with a fee, according to experts.

In 2008, major U.S. airlines began charging around $15 per bag for checked luggage, according to Katy Nastro, a travel expert at the cheap flight alert platform Going.

Travelers who check a bag on each leg of a round-trip itinerary can add an extra $60 to $70 to the total cost of their basic fare, as Nastro said. Rates generally increase for each additional checked bag.

In 2022, the total baggage fees paid by passengers amounted to approximately $6.8 billion, a 17% increase from the $5.8 billion paid in 2019, despite a decrease in the number of passengers who flew on U.S. carriers that year, according to Bureau of Transportation data.

Don't let a passport quirk ruin your next vacation.

If baggage is not included in a higher-class (premium economy, first, business class, etc.) ticket, passengers will have to pay a fee, as explained by Eric Napoli, vice president of legal strategy at AirHelp in an email.

Travel experts offer advice on reducing or avoiding fees.

Fly with certain airlines

A few airlines do not charge for checked bags.

Experts noted that Southwest is the only U.S. airline that permits two free checked bags.

According to Aiden Higgins, senior editor of The Broke Backpacker website, the "Big Three" Gulf Airlines - Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates - still provide free baggage, as does Air India.

These carriers may have certain restrictions, including for luggage size and weight.

Although they do not charge for bags, their fares may not necessarily be cheaper than others when considering the overall cost. Additionally, they may not offer routes that suit travelers' itineraries.

Combine bags

Travel partners may also consider combining suitcases.

Experts suggest that a family of four could combine four bags into two, thereby reducing checked-bag fees by half.

It is important for passengers to be aware of airlines' weight restrictions for bags and the potential for additional fees if they consolidate their suitcases.

Skip checking a bag

The only way to avoid paying a checked-bag fee is by traveling light, which means only bringing a personal item and/or carry-on bag, as permitted by your airline and fare class, Napoli said.

Of course, this won’t be possible for everyone.

Passengers can easily pack a lot into their cabin with the help of packing cubes, a sling bag, and/or a tote bag, according to Higgins.

Those with softer, duffel-bag-type luggage may find it easier to meet carry-on size requirements compared to those with a hard case, according to Nastro.

Consider a fare upgrade

Experts said that even the major carriers typically charge for carry-ons on basic economy fares.

Experts suggest that passengers may end up paying the same total price for a higher-tier ticket, even though it costs more, because it includes additional benefits such as baggage allowance, seat selection, and flight change options.

According to Higgins, using an aggregator like Skyscanner can sometimes result in cheaper flights if the airline is also offering baggage.

It's important for travelers to read the fine print to understand what baggage is included in their ticket, as it can vary between airlines and ticket classes, according to Napoli.

Add bags early

Declaring your bag early can save you money, whether you're paying a fee or not.

A standard passenger flying Spirit Airlines from Los Angeles to New York this week would pay $39 for a carry-on, according to the carrier’s price chart. A checked bag is cheaper at $34.

The prices listed assume that passengers include their bags during the initial online booking process. If passengers wait to pay until arriving at the gate, they would pay $99 for a checked bag or carry-on, according to the chart.

Nastro advised that it's usually cheaper to add a bag when booking, rather than waiting until later.

When considering the total cost and value, a budget airline may not always be the cheapest option due to relatively high fees for "add ons" such as bags, she stated.

Buy a luggage scale, lightweight bags

To avoid surprise fees at the airport for exceeding weight limits on checked bags, travelers should purchase and utilize a luggage scale prior to traveling.

Before booking a flight, weigh your suitcase, advised Higgins. Airlines used to overlook extra weight, but that's not the case now, he stated.

Travelers can also invest in ultralight luggage, Higgins said.

By purchasing ultralight travel gear, you can effortlessly reduce your weight by 1 to 2 kilograms, according to him. Nevertheless, these bags can be expensive and may not be as robust as stronger alternatives, he pointed out.

Get a credit card or join a frequent flier program

Napoli stated that numerous credit cards, particularly those affiliated with airlines, provide free checked bags as a benefit.

Experts advised that travelers should not open a credit card account solely for the perk, but some cards may have an annual fee. However, if the annual benefits (such as savings on baggage fees) outweigh the expense, travelers may still come out ahead.

Nastro stated that the credit card and airline options vary.