Baggage Allowance

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 April 30, 2009, 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
AirTran

$15

Reservations made after 11/12/08, and travel beginning 12/05/08 or later, the commercial baggage fee of $15 will also be assessed to government travelers.
Alaska

$15

Effective immediately, the commercial baggage fee of $15 will be assessed for the first checked bag. Active duty military and their family members traveling on orders are exempt.
American -Domestic flights only

$15

Effective 5/15/09 - Non-military government employees traveling on any government fare are no longer exempt from the commercial fee to check a first bag. Only those individuals who present an active duty military ID will be eligible for a waiver.

Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines

$15

Effective immediately, for travel on or after 12/05/08 - Government travelers are no longer exempt from the commercial fee to check a first bag on domestic flights.

U.S. Military personnel on active duty with travel orders will be able to check up to 10 pieces of luggage on Delta-operated mainline flights and Northwest flights or up to four pieces of luggage on Delta Connection flights, up to a maximum of 100 pounds each, free of charge.

Mesa/go!

$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.
Midwest

$15

Effective 10/21/08 - Baggage fees are waived for active duty military personnel. Government travelers are not exempt from commercial baggage fees. 

United

$15

Effective 10/01/08 - Exceptions apply to 1K, Premier Executive, Premier Associate, military and dependents with identification and travel orders.

US Airways

$15

Effective 10/01/08 - Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial fee to check a first bag.

The following individuals are exempt from the commercial baggage fee: All Dividend Miles Preferred members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman's Preferred), passengers traveling to and from Europe; or to and from Asia; Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members; unaccompanied minors; passengers checking person assistive devices; confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers at time of check-in; and active U.S. military personnel with ID (first through third bag up to 100 lbs/45 kg each free of charge).

Virgin America

$15

Effective 3/19/09 - Government and DoD employees traveling on any government fare are exempt from the commercial fee to check a first and second bag. Government and DoD travelers on Virgin America commercial fares may be subject to checked baggage fees. 

Airline Commercial
Bag Fee - Additional Bags
Exceptions
Air Tran Airways

$25

Effective 11/12/08 - The second checked baggage fee is $25. The second bag fee applies to all government passengers using government contract fares. Additional checked bags are $50 each.

Military members on contract fares with identification are exempt from the commercial baggage fee.

Alaska Airlines

$25

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

Effective immediately, baggage fees are waived for active members of the U.S military and their family members traveling on orders for up to three pieces of checked luggage per person. Each bag may be up to 50 pounds and up to 115 linear inches, while military duffel bags or other similar type bags may be up to 70 pounds.

American -Domestic flights only

$25

Effective 5/15/09 - Government and DoD members traveling on any government fare are no longer exempt from the commercial fee to check a second bag.

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. 

Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines

$25

Effective immediately, for travel on or after 12/05/08 - Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $25 for a second bag.

Customers who purchased Delta and Northwest tickets on or before 11/05/08, and who are traveling on or after 12/05/08, will be charged $50 for a second bag, but will be permitted to check their first bag without charge pursuant to Delta and Northwest's previous policy.

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.).

Jet Blue

$20

Effective on/after May 1, 2007 (booking date). Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $20.  No charge for military personnel for the second bag if they are on active duty.
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

$25

Effective 10/21/08- Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $25 for each additional bag.
United Airlines

$25

Effective 10/01/2008 - Exceptions apply to 1K, Premier Executive, Premier Associate, military and dependents with identification and travel orders.

United Airlines

$50

Effective 11/10/08 - Additional baggage fee increase. Exceptions apply to 1K, Premier Executive, Premier Associate, military and dependents with identification and travel orders.

US Airways

$25

Effective 10/01/08 - Government travelers are not exempt from the commercial baggage fee of $25 for the 2nd bag. The commercial bag fee for the 3rd - 9th bag will be $100 per bag.
Virgin America

$15

Effective 3/19/09 - Government and DoD employees traveling on any government fare are exempt from the commercial fee to check a first and second bag. Government and DoD travelers on Virgin America commercial fares may be subject to checked baggage fees. 


The most current information on baggage allowance policies may be obtained by checking with your agency's Travel Management Center or Commercial Travel Office or with the individual airline. A listing of contract airline websites is available under Travel Links.

Domestic
Many airline now charge a fee for the first checked bag. 

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.

 

Last Reviewed 5/5/2009