Internal flights in the US - baggage allowance

Transform_IT · 9 Feb 2016 at 23:44

Hi guys,

Me and the Mrs are going to Las Vegas in April to get married. Once done there we will be having a week long honeymoon in San Francisco. We want to get an internal flight as it is cheap and easier than driving. However, every website I check the flight prices at don't include baggage, apart from hand luggage. We will have a suit case each and don't want to book it just yet until I know what the script is with fees.

Is it a case of you book the flights and pay for your luggage when you get there, providing it meets the weight criteria and dimensions? Or do you somehow arrange it before? I just don't want to get stung!

Cheers,

T_IT

Tunney · 10 Feb 2016 at 00:02

Who are you looking to fly with? Each airline will have different rules.

Raymond Lin · 10 Feb 2016 at 00:05

Depends on the airline, I've flown Delta and United, both include a single piece of checked luggage.

Transform_IT · 10 Feb 2016 at 00:10

the options are - United Airlines, Virgin America or Frontier Airlines.

Edit: http://www.onetravel.com/travel/baggage-fees/

United Airlines looks like its free.

D.P. · 10 Feb 2016 at 00:40

If you book an international flight that includes an internal flight then the baggage allowance is the same as the international flight.

If you book an internal flight sperately then you won't get any baggage unless you lay for premium seating or are silver member etc. First bag is $25 one way for most airlines, 23kg allowance.

D.P. · 10 Feb 2016 at 00:42

Transform_IT said:
the options are - United Airlines, Virgin America or Frontier Airlines.

Edit: http://www.onetravel.com/travel/baggage-fees/

United Airlines looks like its free.

United isn't free, $25.

Frontier will have seprate rules, could be more expensive. I think even had to pay for a cabin bag :eek:

Frontier is like Ryanair, you pay for the air to breath.

A2Z · 10 Feb 2016 at 02:38

If you want to save money just take one checked in suitcase for the both of you, and 2 smaller ones for hand luggage, that should easily cover a couple of weeks.

That's what me and the girlfriend did last Summer when we were flying around Europe. Big suitcase was 90% hers

rubberduck · 10 Feb 2016 at 04:37

A2Z said:
If you want to save money just take one checked in suitcase for the both of you, and 2 smaller ones for hand luggage, that should easily cover a couple of weeks.

That's what me and the girlfriend did last Summer when we were flying around Europe. Big suitcase was 90% hers

You were lucky to get 10%....

[TW]Fox · 10 Feb 2016 at 07:59

Rent a car and drive. The route takes you through Death Valley national park and Yosemite national park. Both are incredible.

Redgie · 10 Feb 2016 at 09:00

I've recently done some research into this. Unfortunately the formatting disappears when I paste it here but you get the idea.

Airline Price Weight Loyalty
American Airlines $25 23kg Oneworld
United Airlines $25 23kg Star Alliance
JetBlue $20 23kg Singapore
WestJet $25 23kg Codeshare AA
Southwest $0 23kg N/A
Delta $25 23kg Virgin
Alaska Airlines $25 23kg Qantas
Frontier Air $30 23kg N/A
Spirit $21 18kg N/A
Virgin America $25 23kg Singapore / Virgin / Emirates / Etihad

Jono · 10 Feb 2016 at 09:29

[TW]Fox;29157291 said:
Rent a car and drive. The route takes you through Death Valley national park and Yosemite national park. Both are incredible.

Do this. I think I flew with Delta (may have been United) - my baggage wasn't free at all. About $25 for a small case (up to 12-15kg I think)
That would be from SFO to Portland.

byeo · 10 Feb 2016 at 10:10

[TW]Fox;29157291 said:
Rent a car and drive. The route takes you through Death Valley national park and Yosemite national park. Both are incredible.

Totally agree with this. A much less stressful experience, you can stop off for a break whenever you want. It is a good 6/7 hour drive but what you'll see on the drive you won't see in the plane.

[TW]Fox · 10 Feb 2016 at 13:45

byeo said:
Totally agree with this. A much less stressful experience, you can stop off for a break whenever you want. It is a good 6/7 hour drive but what you'll see on the drive you won't see in the plane.

And the rest! It's 8 hours 30 direct via the interstate but you'll see nothing and may as well fly. The route I suggested will take several days but you'll see iconic sights you'll never forget.