Over the July 4 weekend, air travel in the United States attained pre-pandemic levels for the first time, and there were close to 20,000 flights that were delayed or canceled.
Despite the fact that I've always been on the team of "carry on only," this summer's flight travel woes have just strengthened my dislike of checking a bag.
There are occasions when you unexpectedly have to part ways with it, even if you're like me and keep your luggage to the size of a carry-on.
This sad situation typically occurs when a plane anticipates a shortage of overhead bin space on busy flights or aircraft with smaller bins (such as regional jets).
The gate staff may request or even insist that passengers check their bags.
Since your possessions are no longer at your side, this may be stressful.
Additionally, you might have to wait longer to pick up your now-checked bag when you get to your destination, which can cause additional trouble.
Here are three things you can do if you have a flight coming up and want to reduce your chance of needing to check a bag.
Avoid last-boarding fare classes, and only allow carry-on luggage
When a plane's overhead bins are full, the majority of airlines let passengers check their carry-on bag for free at the gate.
Smaller aircraft with constrained overhead space, such regional jets, are more likely to experience this scenario.
Because of this, you should aim to board as soon as possible to guarantee that there will still be bin space available when you get to your seat.
Your fare type determines your boarding group for the majority of major airlines (with the exception of Southwest Airlines, which bases boarding priority on the time customers check in for their flight).
Generally referred to as basic economy, a carrier's most limited fare class is among the last to board.
Therefore, there is a good chance that the overhead bins will be full when this group boards.
Although these tickets are frequently the cheapest to purchase, they have a lot of restrictions, including last boarding.
This type of fee on some airlines also charges passengers who bring full-size carry-on luggage for the overhead bins by limiting personal items to those that can fit underneath the seat in front of them.
For instance, passengers with United Basic Economy and JetBlue Blue Basic tickets will have to spend $35 (plus a $25 gate handling fee) or $65 to check their first bag, respectively, at the gate.
According to a United spokesperson, who confirmed the matter via email, "Regardless of the overhead bin space capacity, a customer flying on a Basic Economy ticket brings a full-size carry-on bag to the gate will need to check their bag and pay the applicable checked bag fee and a $25 gate handling charge."
So that you can board early, try to avoid booking a limited fare type if at all possible.If you decide to book a limited fare and wind up having to check a bag, know that if you have airline elite status or a cobranded credit card, all hope is not lost.
Utilize a cobranded credit card for benefits like priority boarding and luggage
In light of this, it helps to have elite status with the airline you're travelling if you choose to book a constrictive fare class and wind up needing to check your bag.
All status holders on the three major U.S. airlines—Delta, United, and American—are permitted to check one bag for free; the number of bags allowed increases from there.
With the big three airlines, elite status also entitles you to priority boarding, which lets you board the aircraft earlier than you would otherwise, unless your fare class is constrained.
Some cobranded credit cards offer additional benefits in addition to status, such as priority boarding and a free checked bag.
If you frequently fly with a specific airline and use that card to pay for your tickets, this is advantageous.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card all grant users priority boarding and a free first checked bag.
Both the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offer preferred boarding and one free checked bag on domestic routes for you and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation.
Use the United Explorer Card for one free checked bag and priority boarding or the United Club Infinite Card for up to two free checked bags if you are a frequent passenger with United.
Southwest offers an open seating policy that compensates passengers for checking in as soon as possible up to 24 hours before departure.
However, based on availability, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card ensures a boarding number between A1 and A15.
Holders with elite status also enjoy priority boarding.
Know the baggage size restrictions for your airline.
Check the airline's size specifications for what constitutes a carry-on bag, even if your fare type permits you to bring a full-size item with you on board.
You won't run the danger of having to check it because you brought a bag that was too large to begin with if you do this.
Due to a lack of available overhead bin capacity, an airline would not be able to gate-check your bag for free in this case.
Many airlines have a bag sizer at the gate that carry-on baggage must fit inside in order to make this easier.
You must inspect your bag before taking it on board in case a flight attendant notices it and thinks it's too big to fit.
If it won't fit, you'll have to pay a checked bag fee, which varies depending on the airline and can cost anywhere between $30 and $65 per way, with the exception of Southwest flights, which include two free checked bags.
Of course, passengers who ordinarily qualify for a free checked bag due to their status or fare type will continue to receive a free gate-checked bag.
Some ultra-low-cost airlines, like Spirit and Frontier, are an exception to this rule, charging passengers for both carry-on and checked luggage regardless of status or cobranded credit cards.
In conclusion
Even if you just bring a carry-on, there may be times when you are required to check your bag at the gate due to unavoidable circumstances.
Restrictive fare options that board last and charge you extra if you have a full-size carry-on item should be avoided if you want to reduce the likelihood that you will need to check your bag.
Regardless of the price class, make sure to use a cobranded credit card when making your reservation so that you may take advantage of its free checked baggage benefit and avoid paying to check a bag at the gate under all circumstances.
It is advantageous to be a devoted airline customer because the majority of airlines let status holders, even those in their lowest tiers, check at least one bag free of charge.
Review the luggage rules of your airline as it applies to the pricing type you selected lastly.
One simple technique to ensure you'll have to check your bag is to just bring a bag that is too large for the carrier.
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