Baggage Policies may change without notice. Last updated on Feburary 15, 2006

Most airlines allow passengers to carry just two bags for free, and they must weigh, in most cases, no more than 50 pounds and measure no more than 62 inches in total outside dimensions (length plus width plus depth) in order to be carried for free.

European airlines have different sets of rules, especially low cost carriers like Ryanair, which charges a processing fee for every bag and gives only 20kg (44lbs) for free.

Many travelers are shocked to discover that fees are levied for excess, overweight, and oversized bags, and that the charges are cumulative. For example, if you have one extra piece of luggage and it exceeds both the weight and size limits, you’ll pay for each “violation” of the rules: $80 for the extra bag, another $80 if it measures over 62 inches, and an additional $25 to $50 if it weighs over 70 lbs. And that’s each way, of course, so for a round-trip you could pay as much as $420 per bag. If your ticket only costs $58 round-trip then you might be better off taking a cruise. In addition, late last year most airlines effectively upped their fees by reducing their maximum weight limits.

There are special rules, as well, pertaining to travel to the Caribbean, and these fees may vary, depending on where in the Caribbean you go, since some airlines (such as American and United) divide the Caribbean into domestic (Puerto Rico, St Croix and St Thomas) and international. Also keep in mind that the rules below are just a general guideline, and depending on your originating city and final destination (and possibly connecting city), additional rules may apply.

To make things even more interesting, most airlines forbid excess baggage completely on flights to the Caribbean during certain times of year and on certain routes.

Keep this information handy and you’ll avoid paying a small ransom for your bags.

EXTRA BAGS FEES : After the customary two free bags, the next three additional bags are usually charged $80 each; the next three after that go for $105 each; and anything over that can cost up to $180 each, with these exceptions:

• Delta charges $50 for each additional bag to Puerto Rico, St Croix and St Thomas, and $100 for rest of the Caribbean

OVERWEIGHT FEES : Bags weighing 51-70 lbs are charged $25 each by most major airlines. Those weighing over 70 lbs but not more than 100 lbs are usually charged $50 each. Most airlines won’t carry bags weighing over 100 lbs as checked baggage (you’ll have to pay for air freight).

American

• For tickets issued on or after November 1, 2005, the maximum weight before extra fees kick in is 50 lbs, other than Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On tickets issued before October 1, 2005 the maximum weight before fees is 70 lbs each
• For travel to Port-au-Prince, Puerto Plata and San Pedro Sula, on tickets issued from October 1 to 31, 2005, the maximum before fees is 70 lbs

Continental

• Maximum weight before fees is 50 lbs; it’s 70 lbs for tickets issued before September 7, 2005

United

• Maximum weight to San Juan and St. Thomas is 50 lbs
• Dominican Republic , Honduras and Haiti the maximum before fees is 70 lbs for tickets issued before December 8, 2005, and 50 lbs for tickets issued after
• Rest of the Caribbean: 70 lbs for tickets issued before September 7, 2005 and 50 lbs for tickets issued after September 7, 2005

OVERSIZED FEES : Bags with total linear dimensions over 62 inches are charged $80 to $100 per piece, and some airlines have maximum size limitations irrespective of weight.

American

• $80 each for bags 62 to 80 inches

Delta

• $100 each for bags 62 to 80 inches

Northwest

• $80 each for bags 63 to 160 inches

United

• $80 each for bags 63 to 115 inches

US Airways

• $80 each for bags 62 to 80 inches

EMBARGOS : Certain airlines have embargos – typically during peak holiday travel season – where they either have more strict limits on excess, overweight, or oversized bags, or don’t allow such baggage at all.

American

• No oversized bags and no bags over 70 lbs from December 1, 2005 through January 9 , 2006
• A year-round embargo on excess baggage on flights from New York JFK

Continental

No pieces exceeding 70 lbs or 62 linear inches will be accepted on the routes and dates listed below. For tickets purchased on or after September 7, 2005, you’ll be charged a $25 overweight fee for baggage weighing over 50 lbs but no more than 70 pounds.

• On flights to Aruba, the Bahamas (Andros Town, Georgetown, Governors Harbour, Marsh Harbour, Nassau), Grand Cayman Island, St. Maarten, Treasure Cay: only one excess bag is allowed from November 15, 2005 - January 15, 2006; and April 7, 2006 - April 19, 2006
• To Antigua, Barbados, Freeport, Kingston, Montego Bay, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Roatan, San Pedro Sula, Santo Domingo, Tegucigalpa, Trinidad: No excess bags allowed from November 15, 2005 - January 15, 2006, April 7, 2006 - April 19, 2006 and June 4, 2006 - August 31, 2006
• To Santiago and Tortola: No excess bags allowed year round.

Delta

• Excess baggage not allowed to/from Santo Domingo and San Jose from November 15 to January 15
• Passengers traveling to or from Key West, Florida are limited to one checked bag.

United

• Travel from Los Angeles to Costa Rica as of February 18, 2005: No oversize, overweight or extra bags between May 28 and September 6, and December 4 and January 6
• No excess, overweight or oversized baggage to/from San Jose, Costa Rica from January 14 to May 29, May 30 to August 15, and November 1 to January 15

US Airways does not allow oversized, overweight and excess baggage to/from:

• Santo Domingo from December 7, 2005 to January 13, 2006, April 07, 2006 to April 19, 2006, June 20, 2006 to September 1, 2006, and December 1, 2006 to January 15, 2007
• Barbados from December 7, 2005 to January 13, 2006
• Kingston from November 15, 2005 to January 13, 2006

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