By
Erik Hastings

So, here's the deal - paying a fee to check your bag on a domestic carrier for a domestic flight is here to stay. While we can all spend time ringing our hands about whether or not these fees are good or bad for consumers or airlines, I thought our time would be better spent chatting about how to navigate through the fees on your next trip. See The List of Fees

1 Bag, 2 Bag... Red Bag, Blue Bag
With few exceptions, most domestic airlines charge a 10 to 20 dollar fee to check your first bag on domestic flights in the coach cabin.The charge for the second bag is generally the same and often more than the first. The easiest way to avoid a second bag fee is to be judicious about your packing and only check one bag. Some will argue that you should only bring carry-on luggage, but for some trips this is just unrealistic and let's face it, airlines rarely lose luggage any more.

The 3rd Bag
NEVER check a third bag is a general guideline. Here's why: the fees can be as much as 100 bucks or even more! If you absolutely have to take THAT much stuff, either be prepared to pay the airline these hefty fees or consider shipping items to your destination...or perhaps you should just stay home and have a garage sale to sell some of your excess stuff.

Your Carry-On Luggage
You should pack a carry-on bag plus your purse or a small briefcase; a rolling piece of carry-on luggage is preferable because you may be doing more walking than you think at the airports. Your carry-on should contain (at the very minimum) a complete change of clothes, a pair of shoes and other heavier items. Be mindful of the TSA rules about what you can (and cannot) bring on board a commercial aircraft. Pack only items in your rolling bag that you DO NOT need during the flight. Place this bag in the overhead compartment. Your briefcase (or purse) should be placed on the floor in front of you; this should contain all of your valuable items. On a side note, keep your passport and credit cards/cash safe and secure at all times; ideally on your person until you are safe at your destination.

One Way or Round Trip?
During trip preparation, be mindful that some airlines will charge you separately for both directions of the flight. This can add up quickly so pay close attention to these fees at the time you book the ticket.

Online Check In
You can also often save on fees by checking in and/or checking your bags online before you even leave for the airport.

No Fees!
First class passengers usually are not subject to checked bag fees. Also, persons with certain status levels do not pay baggage fees (i.e. members clubs). If you are flying coach internationally on US carriers, you usually do not have to pay baggage fees.

Weight Limit
Just like in life, watch your weight.  That is, the weight of your checked bags. Airlines have no problem charging you an additional fee for an overweight bag. if you think you're getting close to the maximum per bag weight, weigh them at home and try to divide weight evenly. Each airline has different weight limits depending on how far you are going.

Prized Possessions
Checking unusual items (golf clubs, skis etc.) or live animals (Fido or Fluffy) can also be the subject to an additional fee.

Gate checking
Checking your bag at the gate to avoid a baggage fee is not a good idea. If they haven't already, the airlines will eventually figure out this scam and will undoubtedly charge you for this.

All in all, it is annoying that the airlines are charging us to bring our stuff on vacation but unless the airlines figure out new revenue models, the fees are here to stay.  Let's just hope these fees remind all of us to pack a little less, ship any items we don't really need in our possession, and have a great trip!