Save on Checked Bag Fees

With the holidays rapidly approaching, plenty of people will be traveling to spend time with friends and family. Holiday time can be expensive as it is; if you're flying, we have a few tips to at least saving money on checked bags—most carriers recently increased fees this past August—depending on which carrier you fly. Baggage fees apply to domestic travel; one or two bags checked free are usually permitted with international travel.

Regardless of airline, these tips apply to everyone, to save on baggage fees if you:
• book a ticket above basic economy
• members of the airline's rewards program /frequent flyer program can lead to overall lower fees

Jet Blue

• The primary cardholder with a JetBlue Plus credit card gets one free checked bag as do up to 3 companions, booked on the same reservation
• Book a Coach fare: Blue Plus (1 bag free) or Blue Flex & premium Mint cabins (2 bags free)
• Premium economy and business class flyers get 2 bags checked free
• Members of Jet Blue's TrueBlue rewards program who earn Mosaic status get 2 free checked bags

American Airlines

• AAdvantage credit card gets your checked bag fee waived for you and between 4-8 traveling companions.
• Premium economy and business class get 2 bags free; first class tickets get 3 bags free
• Elite status members who have earned AAdvantage frequent flyer miles will get bag fees waived
• Active military traveling on orders with family can have up to 5 bags free; active military with ID can get 3 free bags on personal travel

Delta Airlines

• Pay for your flight with your Delta SkyMiles credit card credit card gets your first checked bag fee waived for you and up to 8 traveling companions.
• Premium economy and business class get 2 bags free; first class tickets get 3 bags free
• Those who reach Medallion status on with their Delta SkyMiles credit card will get bag fees waived
• Bag fees are waived for active military passengers
• Bag fees are waived for anyone traveling to El Salvador or Panama

United Airlines

• Premium tickets in first class and business class get 2 or bags free
• Pay for your tickets using 1 of 4 available credit card ( the United Explorer Card, the United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card, the United MileagePlus Club Card and the United MileagePlus Club Business Card) and get up to two baggage fees waived for the primary cardholder and one companion

Alaska Airlines

• Traveling within the state of Alaska gets you 2 bags free
• First class ticketholders get two bags free
• Active military on orders get two bags free
• Elite status on American Airlilnes AAdvantage frequent flyer program gets two bags free
• Having an Alaska Airlinees credit card or status with Alaska Airlines mileage plan will also get one or two bags free

So now that you know how to save some money, let's put those savings toward your next trip!

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And let's discuss your ideal vacation!

This post is a summary of The Secret to Avoiding Checke Bag Fees Every Time You Fly from Money Magazine.