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Travel Baggage Allowance

City Pair Program
(703) 872-8588
Fax (703) 872-3260
onthego@gsa.gov

Additional Contacts For

Many airlines are charging additional fees for checked baggage. This information is specific to those carriers under the City Program contract. It is intended to provide information and protect travelers under the contracted fares.

Unless otherwise specified, new airline checked bag policy applies to travel commencing May 5, 2008. The fact sheet shows the fee charged or if an exception is allowed by the carriers. As of September 16, 2008, the following is the most up-to-date list of airlines that have instituted a fee for a checked bag.

Airline Commercial
Bag Fee -
1st Bag
Exceptions
American -Domestic flights only

$15

Effective 6/1/08 - Government and DoD members traveling on any government fare are exempt from the commercial fee to check a first bag. Government and DoD travelers on American Airline commercial fares may be subject to first checked baggage fees.

Go! Airline

$10

Effective 8/10/08 - Government/Military members traveling on contract fares are exempt from the commercial fee to check a first bag. Government/
Military members on Go! commercial fares may be subject to first checked baggage fees.
Northwest

$15

Effective 7/09/08 - Government and DoD members traveling on any government fare are exempt from the commercial fee to check a first bag.

United

$15

Effective 6/13/08 - Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial fee to check a first bag. Active duty military members on contract fares with identification are exempt from the $15 commercial fee to check a first bag. Effective 09/08/08 - Military members who provide separation orders and no longer have an active duty ID will be provided a one time exception from the commercial baggage fee of $15.

US Airways

$15

Effective 7/9/08 - Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial fee to check a first bag. Military members on active duty are exempt from the $15 commercial baggage fee.
Airline Commercial
Bag Fee - Additional Bags
Exceptions
American -Domestic flights only

$25

Effective 6/1/08 - Government and DoD members traveling on any government fare are exempt from the commercial fee to check a second bag. Government and DoD members traveling on American Airline commercial fares may be subject to second checked baggage fees.

Effective 8/13/08 - The fee for a 3rd checked bag is waived for active members of U.S. military. If family members are specifically mentioned in the military person's travel orders, then those family members will also be allowed the same military baggage allowance. Prior to this policy, military personnel had to pay the $100 fee for the 3rd bag and then fill out a form to be reimbursed. 

Air Tran Airways

$10

 


*$20







$25

Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $10. Military members on contract fares with identification are exempt from the $10 commercial baggage fee.

*NOTE: 2nd baggage fee charge is $10 per one-way when a 2nd bag is paid on-line at time of check-in and $20 per one-way if paid at the airport (either the kiosk or ticket counter). This policy will remain in effect until September 17, 2008.

For flights booked after August 14, 2008, the 2nd baggage fee is $25. The second bag fee apples to all government passengers using government contract fares.

Alaska Airlines

 

Effective 7/1/08 - Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $25 for a second checked bag. 

Effective 8/14/08 - Baggage fees are waived for active members of the U.S military traveling on orders for up to three pieces of checked luggage. Each bag may be up to 50 pounds, while military duffel bags may be up to 70 pounds. This waiver does not include military dependents on orders.

Delta Air Lines

$50

Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $50.

Effective: 8/15/08. All excess baggage fees are waived for active military personnel traveling on orders. The fee waiver applies to baggage quantity, weight and size, allowing active servicemen and women to travel with optimum flexibility.

Express Jet

 

Not currently charging to check a bag.

Frontier Airlines

$25

Effective 6/10/08 - Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $25. Military members on orders are exempt from the $25 commercial baggage fee, but will be subject to fees for any bag that is overweight (greater than 70 lbs.).

Go! Not currently charging to check a bag.
Jet Blue

$20

Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $20.
Mesa/go!

 $17

Effective 7/15/08 - Government/Military members traveling on contract fares are exempt from the commercial fee to check a second bag. However, Government/Military members on go! commercial fares may be subject to second checked baggage fees
Midwest

$20

Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $20.
Northwest Airlines 

$25

Government and DoD members traveling on any government fare are exempt from the commercial fee to check a second bag.

Effective 08/15/08 - Military personnel traveling on orders domestically or internationally may check up to three bags up to 70 pounds each, at no fee. It should be noted that the regular baggage fee applies to Government and military members not traveling on orders.

United Airlines

$50

Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $50 for a second bag if they purchased a ticket on or after 9/16/08. Military members on contract fares with identification are exempt from the $50 commercial baggage fee.

Effective 8/13/08 - Active military personnel and/or dependents with identification and traveling on orders are allowed to check three bags up to 70 pounds/32 kilograms and 115 inches/292 centimeters per bag. Excess charges apply for four or more checked items. Manual processing is required at the airport.

US Airways

$25

Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $25. Military members on contract fares with identification are exempt from the $25 commercial baggage fee.


For the most current information on baggage allowance policies, please check with your agency's Travel Management Center or Commercial Travel Office or with the individual airline for details on their baggage policies. A listing of contract airline websites is available under Travel Links.

Domestic
Most airlines allow one free bag not to exceed 50 pounds or larger than 62 linear inches. 

International
Most airlines have implemented changes in the baggage weight allowance for coach class for international travel. The free coach class baggage allowance is 50 pounds per paying passenger. Passengers in coach class may take more than 50 pounds, but for an additional fee.

Uniformed military travelers
Many airlines permit an exception to baggage allowance policies for uniformed military personnel on orders who may check the following luggage free of a fee:
- Two duffel bags;
- Sea bags; or
- B-4 bags up to 70 pounds /115 linear inches.

Federal Travel Regulation (FTR)
Federal Travel Regulation 301.12.2 identifies excess baggage as a miscellaneous expense. You should verify your agency’s policy and procedures regarding miscellaneous expense policy on excess baggage fees.

The following Federal Travel Regulation excerpt is applicable to payment of baggage expenses when the respective agency determines the miscellaneous expense is in interest of the government.

§301-12.2 What baggage expenses may my agency pay?

Your agency may reimburse expenses related to baggage as follows:

(a) Transportation charges for authorized excess;

(b) Necessary charges for transferring baggage;

(c) Necessary charges for storage of baggage when such charges are the result of official business;

(d) Charges for checking baggage; and

(e) Charges or tips at transportation terminals for handling Government property carried by the traveler.