Flying is always an adventure – even before you actually arrive at the airport! Finding acceptable flights and schedules, comparing prices and seating availabilities, and now you even have to worry about the baggage fee! It is getting more and more complicated to find the cheapest airline ticket, since you must be informed about costs that you may not expect in the beginning. One checked bag can cost you up to $50! Fox Rent A Car prepared a list of tips how you can avoid the airline baggage fee. Have a safe trip!

1. Avoid baggage fee: Chose those airlines that do not charge a fee

There are two airlines in the United States that do not charge a baggage fee and we all hope that it will stay this way. Southwest Airlines lets you check in two bags for free, and at JetBlue you get the first piece of checked luggage for free. While other airlines may cost you an arm and a leg just to get your suitcases to your destination, those two airlines still accept that traveling people do actually have luggage.

2. Avoid baggage fee: Pack less and use sample sizes

Do you really need the 5^th pair of shoes on your weekend trip? How about you just buy your toiletries at the Walgreen’s next to your hotel at the destination, or eventually your hotel provides those even for free? Try to only pack what you really need and you will see how much money you can save by not taking extra stuff that you could easily purchase at your destination. If you need your toiletries during your trip, take sample sizes instead of the full package. A few cents for such samples can save you a lot of money on your flight.

3. Avoid baggage fee: Maximize the usage of your carry-on luggage

Try to get a bag that is big enough to eventually even replace a suitcase, yet small enough to be considered for a carry-on luggage. If you know you have to carry heavy items, such as folders, books or other things that may result in overweight luggage, put them into your carry-on bag, which usually does not get weight.

4. Avoid baggage fee: Be a frequent flyer

Often, airlines offer one or two pieces of free checked luggage for frequent travellers. If you are a Star Alliance member of a certain class, Miles & More user or if you book your ticket for business or first class, you will get your luggage on board for free. The question remains, whether the upgrade to a different class is worth the money just for free bags.

5. Avoid baggage fee: Ship your luggage

If you do have a lot of luggage that you simply cannot take with you on an airplane, you should seriously consider shipping those items that you don’t need right away. Sort your stuff and make sure you have those things that you will need within the next few weeks and the rest can get shipped. Compare prices though – shipping is not cheap. Eventually, it may even be cheaper to pay the airline fee.

Let’s cross our fingers that the airlines will get back to their original pricing strategy to include at least one piece of free luggage, and two bags on international flights. If new pricing regulations do not show financial success to the airlines, maybe they will get back to the “old” standards. The Fox Rent A Car team wishes you a safe flight and hopes to see you at any of our airport locations.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

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