Fee question for checking bags on airplane

[Disneyfan1977]

Hi Everyone
Here is my question. We will be flying to MCO in october. Looks like airtran is our best bet price wise.

Do we pay the fee to check bags on the flight to orlando and the flight home? If thats the case, than we are probably better off paying extra for SW and not paying the checked bag fees.

If we each take a the smaller suitcase and carry it on, how do we get our liquid things down to orlando?

Any help on this is appreciated.

 

[gshumaker]

Hi Everyone
Here is my question. We will be flying to MCO in october. Looks like airtran is our best bet price wise.

Do we pay the fee to check bags on the flight to orlando and the flight home? If thats the case, than we are probably better off paying extra for SW and not paying the checked bag fees.

If we each take a the smaller suitcase and carry it on, how do we get our liquid things down to orlando?

Any help on this is appreciated.

Baggage fees are paid for each way of travel!!

Each person can carry your liquids in a quart size bag so if you need more than that you may have to take a trip to the store once you get there. That may be chepaer than paying the baggage fees just to carry any liquids!!

 

[Jsme]

Yes it is per way. They make you pay when you check your bag in or some airlines have it that you can pay on-line when you check in to print your boarding passes.

 

[tinkermom23]

We shipped a box down ahead of time with our liquids (in ziploc bags, just in case). But we sent bottles that we thought we would finish during the trip so we wouldn't be sending liquids home. We just estimated what we thought we'd use in 9 days and if there was any left, we tossed it since it was not worth shipping. We did our medications in the quick-disolve type whenever possible. You can fit a lot more in a carry-on than you think. And if you don't mind doing laundry...
It was nice to skip the whole "checked luggage" thing.

 

[hardingk]

Does anyone know how much American charges for checked bags?

 

[Disneyfan1977]

We shipped a box down ahead of time with our liquids (in ziploc bags, just in case). But we sent bottles that we thought we would finish during the trip so we wouldn't be sending liquids home. We just estimated what we thought we'd use in 9 days and if there was any left, we tossed it since it was not worth shipping. We did our medications in the quick-disolve type whenever possible. You can fit a lot more in a carry-on than you think. And if you don't mind doing laundry...
It was nice to skip the whole "checked luggage" thing.

Hi Tinkermom,
Can you please explain how and when you shipped them. If we are going on Oct. 3rd, when would we ship them? Did you use usps or ups? How do you retrieve them when you get there? Approx. how much did it cost?

Sorry for so many questions, I just need to save as much money as possible!

 

[Disneyfan1977]

We shipped a box down ahead of time with our liquids (in ziploc bags, just in case). But we sent bottles that we thought we would finish during the trip so we wouldn't be sending liquids home. We just estimated what we thought we'd use in 9 days and if there was any left, we tossed it since it was not worth shipping. We did our medications in the quick-disolve type whenever possible. You can fit a lot more in a carry-on than you think. And if you don't mind doing laundry...
It was nice to skip the whole "checked luggage" thing.

I do plan on using carry ons. I have two and will hit up my local thrift store/goodwills to see if I can find two more.

I always do laundry. We don't have huge summer wardrobes so its always a must when we go away.

 

[JeMarie6]

Related question. Do small children each get allocated a carry-on or two, even if they can't physically carry the carry-on?

 

[Disneyfan1977]

Related question. Do small children each get allocated a carry-on or two, even if they can't physically carry the carry-on?

I would think so considering they are paid for just like everyone else....but great question. I would like to know for sure too.

 

[dreamalittledream]

If they are paying for a seat, they get a carryon and a personal item.

My two each had a small rolling princess suitcase and a tiny 8 x 10 size backpack, (just big enough for their DS, blow up pillow, stuffie, snacks and a few small coloring things)

we actually put both small backpacks in one of the rolling bags on the way to FL, once they were on the plane, they had the backpacks at their seats and we put coats in the suitcase.

on the way home, one of the suitcases held a doll, the other held the breakable souvies.

we ended up strapping thier suitcases to our rolling caryons. so no, they did not actually carry them.

 

[jgraney106]

Yes it's $15 per bag per person per on going and coming back on Airtran. For us that would be $45 each way additional! Or $90 round trip !
So I figured we would all do the carry on next time. I figure I could pack at least 4 days of clothing into a carry on and plan to do laundry during the trip.
All liquids ( like shampoo, conditioner, laundry ,detergent , etc.) can be purchased at a dollar store or grocery store on the way. I will just leave the unused portions behind in the room or give it to some one in the laundry room. Even if I have to buy all my liquid items at a store, it wouldn't total the $90 I would pay for the extra bag fees!

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Yes if you pay for a seat your child is allowed to have the same luggage as a adult whether or not they can "carry it on". They pay just as much for their seat as a adult does (at least with northwest).

I am worried though with all these fee's for luggage and everybody bringing only carry on there will not be enough room for everybody's carryons. This is a problem on every flight even before luggage fees. It seems somebody tries to bring oversized luggage on and shove it into somebody else's compartment every flight. We have a whole row this flight so hopefully that will help with the space issue.

 

[Donnainnj]

With our Spirit flights in April both legs they asked if anyone wanted to do free gate check with any of their carryons as the plane was full and they needed the room. Both times we got rid of two bags this way. We picked them up at baggage with our other luggage. You may want to pack accordingly.
Donna