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| Airline Program |
Standard Processing fee | Phone or in person fee | "Close in" Processing fee | Redeposit/ Change fee |
Confirmed same day standby | |
| AirTran A+ Rewards (888-898-4782) | $0 | $10 otherwise | $0 | $60 | N/A | |
| Alaska Mileage Plan (800-252-7522) | $25 on partner airlines | $15 for reservations over the phone (mileage award levels are the same over the phone and on the internet) |
$0 |
$0 if canceled or changed within 24 hours Otherwise $100 each time a change is made on Super Saver and Change fee does not apply to Full Flex award in Coach and First |
Standby is allowed on the same day of travel at the airport ticket counter
|
|
| American AAdvantage (800-882-8880) |
$25 if booked on partner airlines; Up to $100 RT to upgrade awards on most discounted domestic fares, $300 RT upgrade copay to Hawaii; up to $700 RT for foreign routes | $20 by phone, $30 in person | 20 to 7 days prior: $50; 6 days to 2 hours: $100 | Redeposit: $150 for first ticket, $25 each for additional tickets on same account; Change: $150 (MileSAAver tickets only; no fee if only date or time is changed) | $50 | |
| Continental OnePass (800.621.7467) |
$0 (up to $300 RT for non elites to upgrade to domestic first; up to $1000 to upgrade to international businessElite) | $25 by phone (airport booking not allowed) | 20 days or fewer prior: $75 (less for Platinum) | $50 $150 ($0 for Platinum) | Not allowed on OnePass tickets | |
| Delta SkyMiles (800-323-2323) |
$0 additional $25 for partner airline award |
$25 $20 | 8-20 days prior: $75; 4-7 days: $100; 3 or fewer days: $150 (waived for Platinum members) | Changes: $100; Redeposit: $100; most fees waived for Platinum members | $50 (waived for Gold/Platinum) | |
| Frontier Early Returns (866-263-2759) | $25 $0 | $25 | 14 days or fewer: $75 $0 | $75 | Passenger pays the difference between their original ticket and the new ticket at its price that day | |
| JetBlue TrueBlue (800- 538-2583) | $0 (N/A award sent automatically when earned) | $10 by phone | N/A | Change: $100; Redeposit fee: N/A (unused awards are forfeited) | $40 | |
| Northwest WorldPerks (800-447-3757) |
Same as Delta now that they've merged | Same as Delta now that they've merged | See Delta | See Delta. | See Delta. | |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards (800-435-9792) | N/A (reward sent automatically | N/A (reward sent automatically) | N/A | $0 | $0 (if fare has increased, passenger must pay difference) | |
| Spirit Airlines Free Spirit | N/A (online only) | N/A (online only) | N/A (requests must be made at least 7 days prior to travel); Mileage discounts for tickets booked 21 or more days in advance of travel | Redeposit: $70; Change: $70 if more than 7 days from departure; not permitted within 7 days | N/A | |
| United MileagePlus (800-421-4655) | $0 (eff. July 1, 2009, Jan 12, 2010, up to $50 from most discounted fares to upgrade on domestic routes; up to $1000 RT on international routes) | $25 by phone, $30 in person |
Free as of July 30, 2009! Under 6 days: $100; 7-20 days: $75
|
$150 (route change, connection point change, or redeposit); No charge to change date or flight number on same date, same routing) | Domestic: $150; International $150-$250 | |
| US Airways Dividend Miles (800-428-4322) | $0 ($600 RT copay plus miles to upgrade on international routes) |
$30 domestic, $40 international | $50 online ($75 effect. Oct 8, 2009), $75 otherwise | $150 domestic, $250 international | $25 | |
| Virgin America elevate (877.359.8474) | $0 | Redeposit: not allowed | $75 | N/A |
Checked Bag Fees
Here we list, airline by airline, fees for checked bags on major US airlines. These fees are for domestic economy class travel (which in some cases includes Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Canada) only and may be higher on international flights.
There are all kinds of exceptions to these fees, especially for certain classes of frequent flyers and military personnel. These fees are cumulative and are double for round-trip travel. They are subject to change and were accurate to the best of our knowledge as of July 25, 2009.
If you're a heavy packer, you'll want to fly with Airtran, Alaska, Frontier and Southwest, even if there's a cheaper fare on another ailrine.
See also: shipping services (FedEx, UPS, etc) vs. the airlines.
|
Airline |
First checked bag |
Second checked bag |
Additional bags |
Overweight bags |
Oversized bags |
| Airtran | $0 $15 | $10 paid online, $20 at airport $25 |
$50 |
51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $29 $39 71 to 99 lbs: $69 $79 |
62-70 total linear inches: $29 $39; 71-80 inches $69 $79 |
| Alaska | $0 ($15 if ticketed on or after May 1 for travel on or after July 7) | $0 $25 |
3rd-6th bags: $100; 7th or more: $150 | 51-100 lbs: $50 | 63-80 inches: $50; 81-115 inches: $75 |
| American | $15 ($20 effective Aug 14) | $25 ($30 effective Aug 14); $50 trans-Atlantic | Bags 3-5: $100; 6th or more: $200 | 51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $50; 71-100 lbs: $100. These fees may be higher on international routes | 63 inches and over: $150 |
| Continental | $15 ($20 if not paid online beginning Aug 19) | $25 ($30 if not paid online, beginning Aug 19); $50 for trans-Atlantic ($45 if paid online) | $75 nonstop/$100 connecting | 51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $50 Over 70 lbs not accepted. |
63 inches and over: $100 |
| Delta | $20 ($5 discount if paid online) | $30 ($5 discount if paid online); $50 for travel to Europe | Third bag: $125; Bags 4 to 10 $200 each (For travel outside US, no fee for 2nd bag, $200 for 3rd bag, $350 for 4th and 5th, $600 for bags 6-10). | 51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $90 ($150 for travel outside US) 71 to 100 lbs: $175 ($300 each outside US) |
63-80 total linear inches: $150 $175 |
| Frontier | $0 $15 $20 | $25 $30 | $50 | 51-100 lbs: $75 | 63-80 inches: $75 |
| JetBlue | $0 | $20 | $75 | 51-70 lbs: $50; 71-99 lbs: $100 | 63-80 inches: $75 |
| Northwest | See Delta | See Delta | See Delta | See Delta | See Delta |
| Spirit | $19 online/$25 at airport | $25 (online or at airport) | Bags 3-5: $100 (online or at airport) | 51-70 lbs: $50 71 to 99 lbs: $100 |
62-79 inches: $100; 80 inches and over: $150 |
| Southwest | $0 | $0 | First additional bag: $25; bags 4-9: $50; 10 and more: $110 | 51-70 lbs: $25 $50; 71-100 lbs: $50 | 62-80 inches: $50 |
| United | $20 ($5 discount if paid online) | $30 ($5 discount if paid online) | Bags 1-4: $125; 5th or more: $250 | $100 | 63-115 inches: $125 |
| US Airways | $20 ($5 discount if paid online) | $30 ($5 discount if paid online); $55 trans-Atlantic ($50 if paid online) | Bags 3-9: $100 | 51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $50 71 to 99 lbs: $100 |
62-80 total linear inches: $100 |
Other Airline Fees
Here we list, for most airlines, fees for ticket changes (non refundable fares); booking fares in person or by phone, kids flying solo, bringing a pet into the cabin, and booking fares other than online. As you can see, Southwest has the lowest and fewest fees, followed by other low cost carriers such as Airtran and Spirit. Note that most of these fees, unless otherwise noted, are for domestic flights; fees for international services may be higher. Last revision: Nov 9, 2009.
See also: New airline frequent flyer program fees
|
Airline |
Ticket change fee domestic/international | Booking fares on phone/in person | Unaccompanied minors (double for round-trip) | Pet in cabin (double for round-trip) | Advance or premium economy domestic seat selection (double for round-trip) |
| Airtran | $75 | $15 | $39 for nonstops; $59 for connections | $69 | $6 (advance seat assignment); $20 (exit row) |
| Alaska | $75 on line/ $100 otherwise | $15/$15 | $75 | $100 | not applicable |
| American | $150/$150-300 | $20/$20 | $100 | $100 | not applicable |
| Continental | $150/$150-$300 | $25/$20 | $75 nonstop/$100 connecting | $95 $125 |
not applicable |
| Delta | $150/$200+ | $25/$25 | $100 | $100 | $5-$25 |
| Frontier | $100 | $25 | $40 $50 per segment | Not allowed | not applicable |
| JetBlue | $100 | $15 | $75 | $100 | $10-$20 (first 4 and exit rows) |
| Northwest | See Delta | See Delta | See Delta | See Delta | See Delta |
| Spirit | $100 80 online ($110 $90 otherwise) | Lowest fares available online only | $75 $100 | $85 $100 | not applicable |
| Southwest | $0 (you get a credit good for a year) | Lowest fares available online only | $25 | $75 | not applicable |
| United | $150/$200+ | $25/$30 | $99 $150 $99 | $125 ($250 to $500 in hold) | varies |
| US Airways | $150/$150-$250 | $25 domestic, $35 international; at ticket offices $35 domestic, $45 international | $100 | $100 | $5-$30 per flight (aisle and window at front of economy cabin), although some passengers will be assigned these seats without paying by "luck of the draw" |
JetBlue is back with another one-day only Sample Sale, valid for travel December 2 through December 16, and again from January 6 through January 28. Oneway fares range from $29 to $129, and are good for travel in both directions, with the exception of Barbados, Cancun, Santo Domingo, and Saint Lucia, which are only good for flights departing the US.
All tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm MDT, November 19, aka today, people!
Stay clear of blackout dates, January 14, 15, 18, and 19.
Fares for southbound travel to Florida and New Orleans are valid on Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Wednesdays, and for northbound travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays for northbound travel. All other domestic routes are valid on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays.
Boston to Austin $198 round-trip
Ft Lauderdale to Austin $138 round-trip
New York to Austin $178 round-trip
Boston to New York $78 round-trip
Los Angeles to New York $178 round-trip
Fly from the US to Dublin, Ireland this winter as part of the current sale from Aer Lingus. Fares start at just $378 round-trip, before taxes. This sale is valid for travel from January 11 through March 10, Monday through Thursday. All tickets must be purchased by 7:00pm ET, November 19. Fares include:
Atlanta to Dublin $582 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Boston to Dublin $492 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Chicago to Dublin $479 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Cleveland to Dublin $575 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Denver to Dublin $575 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Detroit to Dublin $575 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Houston to Dublin $588 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Los Angeles to Dublin $615 round-trip, incl. all taxes
New York to Dublin $479 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Phoenix to Dublin $575 round-trip, incl. all taxes
Portland OR to Dublin $615 round-trip, incl. all taxes
San Diego to Dublin $622 round-trip, incl. all taxes
With holiday shopping around the corner, it’s time to address one of the recurring tragedies of the season. (No, not your Aunt Sadie’s annual fruit cake). Today I’d like to address the calamity of those millions of frequent flyer miles that people forgo each year because they forget to buy from their favorite online merchants via links at the airlines’ shopping mall web sites.
I’m one of those sad cases. Before I got wise, I would simply go to Apple.com to buy a new $3000 iMac or a $3000 sectional from the Design Within Reach web site. But don’t make my mistake. Right now, if you visit Continental Airline’s shopping site, for example, you can get 4 OnePass miles for each dollar spent at Apple.com (and, of course, an extra mile if you make the purchase with a frequent flyer credit card). So if you shop smart, your $3000 iMac also comes with 15,000 miles, the equivalent of half a free round-trip domestic flight. A $5000 purchase would get you enough miles for a free flight.
Is there a catch? No. The price you pay for a new iMac via Apple’s web site is exactly the same as the price via the airlines’ sites.
Literally hundreds of online merchants participate in these mileage offers. Here are some current deals from various merchants and airlines, all of which are subject to change:
Delta Airlines
(Doh! I interrupt this article to shamefacedly confess that, in researching it, I just discovered I could have earned 2 Delta miles for every $1 spent at Finestationery.com, where I recently made a $200 purchase. Grrrr!)
United Airlines
American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Everyday purchases, not just holiday gifts, qualify for miles, too. Do you regularly buy your contacts from 1800Contacts.com? Why not get 10 miles for every dollar spent? Are you a frequent buyer at Drugstore.com? If you buy via their site directly, you get no miles; get there via an airline shopping mall page and you might get as many as 10 miles per $1 spent. Same thing with purchases at Petco.com. And keep in mind that airline mall shopping is a painless way to keep your frequent flyer miles from going stale, since each purchase, even a 99-cent song at iTunes.com, extends your miles’ expiration date.
It's important to shop around, however, because one airline might offer more miles with the same merchant than another airline. For example, currently United is offering 3 miles for every 2 dollars charged at Apple.com whereas Continental is offering 4 miles for every dollar. And offers can change from time to time, so if your purchase can wait, jump when your favorite airline is offering a double miles deal.
And if you’ve been visiting an online merchant’s site directly through their URL recently, it’s a good idea to clear your cookies and then enter the site through the airlines’ links to avoid any potential confusion as to where you came from.
For your shopping convenience, you can find links to the airlines’ mall sites all in one place here.
Bookmark these sites and before you buy anything online, see if miles are being offered for your purchase.
Have a great time shopping this holiday season, and please be sure to gift yourself a gift, too, in the form of extra frequent flyer miles.
New York JFK to San Jose, Costa Rica $197 round-trip, incl. all taxes

You'll find this fare available for travel on up to 5 days out of the month, through April.
Los Angeles to Cairo, Egypt $623 round-trip, incl. all taxes

Ok, so this fare has actually gone up by just a smidgen since yesterday but it's still very much an a-mazing deal. Check out the other Aeroflot fares listed on our JFK and LAX pages.