I Hate Baggage Fees

Coming back home from a short holiday back in the United States I boarded a plane to take me from Las Vegas to Panama City. Copa Airlines weighed all of the passenger carry-on baggage to make sure they were within baggage restrictions. Yes, it is true, the insane baggage fees and regulations are stretching their ridiculous tendrils into Latin American travel.

It's getting to the point where isn't almost tempting to travel empty handed and just buy new clothes at your destination. Well, it's not quite that bad yet, but it's getting there. If you are planning a flight to South America, make sure you know what to expect with baggage fees and regulations.

Of course, with the long list of potential international and specifically South American airlines in business these days, I can't be too specific and list off all the current fees and regulations for them all. That fact alone is a bit of a shame in itself. Travel shouldn't be so complicated.

Many large airlines will now only allow you to check one single piece of luggage for free (you usually still get a little carry-on as well). American Airlines are one good example, though they will allow 2 free checked bags if you are heading to Brazil or Peru. I'm not sure why the specific destinations makes a difference. Delta and JetBlue are the same, only allowing a single bag for free.

More generous airlines let you take on 2 bags before they start to tally up extra costs for you. British Airways, Taca and LAN Airlines allow for 2 checked bags. Copa Airlines is pretty unique. Even though they took the time to weigh and measure all of my bags, at least I was able to take on as many as I needed. They don't have limits on the number of checked baggage items, only on the weights and sizes.

These limits are all based on the standard economy class available with each airline. If you want to pay the big bucks to travel first- or business-class, then you will likely be allowed an extra bag or two.

HINT: Sometimes last minute flights with openings in 1st Class will allow a cheap upgrade. a couple of years ago US Air let me upgrade from economy to 1st class for only $50, which allowed me two extra bags. Ask at the check in desk.

You can sometimes find a bit of a loophole if you are travelling with children. In many cases, airlines allow for 1 piece of luggage for each child under 2. Depending on how much you need to carry for child, this may allow you a bit of extra space for your own stuff.

DANGER! - Since we live in Ecuador, but frequently travel to the States - we run into the problem that domestic US baggage policies are ore restrictive than international. For example, right now my wife flew from Guayaquil to Las Vegas. Later she has to go from Las Vegas to Orlando, then after attending a conference, she goes home (my wife has such a tough life). Well, the flights to and from Guayaquil fall under international rules - ie more and heavier bags and cheaper fees. But that Vegas to Orlando link is considered domestic. That's right, even though it is all the same booking the rules change. 

It depends on where you start and stop that day's trip. If either part is international, then you go by the international rules. However if both ends for the day are all in the States - then you pay more.

What makes it worse is that the fees for your next bag aren't cheap either. They used to be token costs but the price tag is getting serious. You can easily pay over $50 just to check one bag beyond your limit. In many cases, that just means your second suitcase. Similar fees are enforced if your bags (including any free bags) are over-sized or overweight. So, if you had 2 bags and you managed to have them both slightly too heavy, you could be charged $50 just for having a 2nd bag and then $50 each for both being overweight. that's an additional $150 that your flight is costing you.

Before any trip, always consult your airlines website to find out the current regulations. There is always some page hidden amongst the website pages where it lists out the rules in painful detail. These rules change all the time. So do not assume simply because you've flown one on one airline that you know all of the rules. Best to check each time.

And never just guess about the size or weight of your checked luggage or carry-ons. They likely will be weighed or measured and it will be a bit of a shock if you realize your baggage gets disallowed, or costs you a hundred dollars to take with you. Close isn't good enough, keep everything under the limits. My wife picked up a little hand-held weight scale and it always travels where ever we are about.