Gate checking bags at Jet Blue

[DisLaw]

Just wanted to share a tip I thought worked great for us. The last 2 years since JetBlue started charging extra to check a bag we resigned ourselves to only taking carryons. But each time at the gate the staff have offered to gate check out bags for free which opens up more overhead space and is just less hassle for us. Yes you have to wait for you bags, unless you think ahead!

Now the first time this happened I didn't take our DME tags because I assumed we weren't checking bags. So we got stuck waiting at baggage claim then heading to the bus. But the next times I've brought the tags with me and when they offered the gate check I quickly slapped on the DME tags and we never had to go to baggage claim just right to the bus (or one time to our rental car) and our bags appeared in our room later that day!

Worked great for us so I thought I'd share

 

[n2mm]

Just keep in mind they don't always offer to gate check your bags. I found they use to do it more often in the past, but my last two flights out of bwi this year they did not offer to gate check bags. But your tip is good to know! We don't pay to check bags because we have the JetBlue cc, but we have family that have taken advantage of the gatechecked bags in the past.

 

[DisLaw]

Just keep in mind they don't always offer to gate check your bags. I found they use to do it more often in the past, but my last two flights out of bwi this year they did not offer to gate check bags. But your tip is good to know! We don't pay to check bags because we have the JetBlue cc, but we have family that have taken advantage of the gatechecked bags in the past.

That's true. In fact one leg of our last trip they didn't "offer" the gate check but I saw a family go up and ask and then they took the bags so I went up and asked too! No problem I was told but they didn't make an announcement about it like I've seen done other times. So maybe it pays to ask if you're interested! All they can say is no, right?

 

[goofy4tink]

Almost every JB flight I've had, in the last year, the offer to gate check has been made. Sometimes I use it, especially if going home. When heading to WDW, I had already used my luggage tag, so didn't have one to use. Yes, I could have either grabbed it myself or given my claim receipt to dme CMs. Just decided to keep it with me.

 

[emmabelle]

Jetblue definitely offered to check bags in BOS and didn't in MCO for Memorial Day weekend. Just luck of the draw I guess?

 

[Shanti]

Nice to know. This doesn't appeal to me though, as the main benefit of checking bags imo, particularly when using Magical Express, is to not have to handle your bags at the airport.