Airlines are starting to overdo it with their extra fees. One fee that is starting to increase or be added is a fee for carry-ons. Spirit Airlines is about to start charging $100 for carry-ons.
The charges for carry-ons are also being added on as a way to fight back against smart travelers who are trying to avoid regular luggage fees. Checked luggage can cost anywhere from $40 to $100 depending on the airline. In order to avoid these fees, travelers have started fitting more into their carry-ons and are avoiding checked luggage. However, this has led to an increase in the number of carry-ons and less available room in overhead bins. To combat this, some airlines are starting to charge carry-on fees.
Despite the addition of these fees, there are ways to avoid paying them or having to pay extra. Here are some tips to stay clear of pesky carry-on fees.
Avoid Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air
These airlines are the only U.S. airlines that directly charge for carry-ons. Their fees are unavoidable. Spirit was the first airline to charge for carry-on fees. Starting in November, a carry-on on Spirit will cost $50 each way. Allegiant Air has also adopted this fee and charges $35 each way for a carry-on. Even though you'll have to pay up for these fees, you can pay a lower price by paying for a carry-on when booking a flight online.
Don't Confuse a Carry-on with a Personal Bag
Despite charging for carry-ons, Spirit and Allegiant, and every other airline doesn't make you pay for a personal bag or personal item. A personal bag must be able to fit under the seat in front of you, so it is much smaller than a carry-on. An example would be a purse or laptop bag. Passengers are only allowed one personal item in addition to a carry-on bag, so if you have more than one personal item, you may have to squish it into your carry-on or be forced to pay to have it put with the checked luggage.
Know the Carry-on Size Limits
Carry-ons have certain size, and sometimes weight limits. Personal items also have size limits. These limits are established by each airline so check with the airline that you are flying with to make sure that your carry-on or personal items falls within their restrictions. A certain carry-on bag might not be acceptable for all airlines. If the carry-on exceeds the limits, you may be charged to check it with your other luggage.
Take Note of Extra Fees for Having To Check an Oversized Carry-on
Most airlines don't check for carry-ons themselves, but they won't hesitate to hit you with a hefty fee for having to check a carry-on at the gate because it is too big. Make sure your carry-on's size and weight falls within the airline's limits before getting to the airport. Airtran, American Airlines, Frontier, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, United, and US Airways don't charge fees for checking a bag at the last minute. Airlines that do charge these fees usually make passengers pay a standard checked bag fee, but some will increase the fee for a second checked bag. For instance, Alaska Airlines charges $25 for a second bag, while the first is $20 each way.
Make Carry-ons Lighter By Carrying Items by Hand
You can lighten the load of your carry-on bag by keeping out extra items. These items are determined by individual airlines rules, but things like reading materials, walking aids, coats, food, and umbrellas are usually allowed to be carried by hand without having to pay extra. Check with each airline to see what items are acceptable so you don't risk having to pay to check an oversized carry-on just because it contains some of these bulky things.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
