How do I pay AirTran baggage fees?

[It'sWDW4me]

Last night I booked our August return flight on AirTran. I know there's a $15 fee for the first checked bag but I couldn't find anywhere to add that fee to my itinerary. There will be 10 of us - including 5 kids - and I know how hectic check-out can get. Is there any way for me to prepay that luggage fee now?

 

[Missytara]

Last night I booked our August return flight on AirTran. I know there's a $15 fee for the first checked bag but I couldn't find anywhere to add that fee to my itinerary. There will be 10 of us - including 5 kids - and I know how hectic check-out can get. Is there any way for me to prepay that luggage fee now?

You pay at the airport going down; you have to give them your credit card anyway to retrieve your tickets, so they will just put it on your credit card.

On the way back, you pay either BAGS or at the RAC counter coming back. I had to pay BAGS first when we went in December; I understand now that you can pay right at the RAC counter, but I cannot confirm that.

 

[hildarumpole]

You can prepay for your checked luggage and print your boarding passes with online check-in. This can be done up to 24 hrs. in advance of your flight. Print out the receipt. At the airport, someone will verify the number of bags you're checking and the weight. At our airport, AirTran has curbside check-in, so we only have to lift the luggage out of the car, hand it over, show them our paperwork, and head over to the security line. It's a nice time-saver.

 

[Missytara]

You can prepay for your checked luggage and print your boarding passes with online check-in. This can be done up to 24 hrs. in advance of your flight. Print out the receipt. At the airport, someone will verify the number of bags you're checking and the weight. At our airport, AirTran has curbside check-in, so we only have to lift the luggage out of the car, hand it over, show them our paperwork, and head over to the security line. It's a nice time-saver.

However, you do not want to do check-in at the 24 hour mark, if you plan on using RAC on the way back. It will essentially mean you have already checked in and cannot do check in at RAC.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Thanks for the replies!

I won't be able to do 24 hr check in as this is our return flight only and I won't have a laptop.

Sooooo.... how is RAC? How much time should we expect it to take? There will be 10 of us - broken down into 2 seperate itineraries, as far as AirTran is concerned, but there are 3 couples and 1 family of 4?

Our flight is scheduled for 2:30 so I figure ME time will be 11:30. Should we visit the RAC desk the night before or would there be enough time in the morning?

I really do appreciate the tips. This is the first time I'm going down with such a large group and I so want everything to go as smoothly as possible!

 

[Gary M]

We flew AirTran in January and stayed at WL. We were given a phone number to call, to charge our bags on our VISA. We phoned before we left for the parks the day before our departure and charged the baggage cost. This was more than 24 hours before our departure. When we checked our baggage at the WL before our flight back home, they had all the info with the reservation.

 

[Missytara]

Thanks for the replies!

I won't be able to do 24 hr check in as this is our return flight only and I won't have a laptop.

Sooooo.... how is RAC? How much time should we expect it to take? There will be 10 of us - broken down into 2 seperate itineraries, as far as AirTran is concerned, but there are 3 couples and 1 family of 4?

Our flight is scheduled for 2:30 so I figure ME time will be 11:30. Should we visit the RAC desk the night before or would there be enough time in the morning?

I really do appreciate the tips. This is the first time I'm going down with such a large group and I so want everything to go as smoothly as possible!

RAC is resort airline check-in. It is as if you are checking in for your flight 30 miles from the airport.

The RAC desk is open every day from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm. You must check-in your luggage at RAC that morning. I have gone down at 7:00 am and breezed right through. This year, we went down right at checkout time and it was crowded. Considering you should be at the ME no later than 11:15 am, you should check your bags no later than 10:30 am.

You will receive an envelope in your room the night before, with the number of BAGS to call and pay for your baggage fees and then you take the confirmation number to the RAC desk (it is always located in or near the entrance to your resort). Then they whisk your bags to the airport and onto your flight - easy as pie.!!!!!

 

[satilik]

On the way back, you pay either BAGS or at the RAC counter coming back. I had to pay BAGS first when we went in December; I understand now that you can pay right at the RAC counter, but I cannot confirm that.

In January we paid the baggage fee at the RAC desk.

Also everybody in your group does not have to go to the RAC desk. I was able to check in my family without them being there. Stop at the desk the day before and ask if you have any questions.

 

[noahdove]

I thought I paid for mine last August on our return, and RAC assured me I didn't so I had to spend time on the phone arranging payment. I hope I can pay at the RAC, it will save me time and frustration...I must say the men working in that area were great and kind as well as patient with me

 

[Uncleromulus]

Any other confirmation of being able to pay baggage fees at the RAC desk??

 

[jaysmom4285]

We paid our baggage fees for Airtran at the CBR RAC desk last Saturday. They did online checkin for us, printed our boarding passes, and we were able to put our baggage fees on our credit card right there. We didn't have to call the other number to pay baggage fees.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

This sounds like it will be really easy! I'm glad to hear that all 10 of us don't have to troop to the CBR customs house to pay the baggage fees and to get our boarding passes printed out. Either I'll go myself or someone can tag along if they feel like it.

Thank you all so very much for your help!

 

[Missytara]

In January we paid the baggage fee at the RAC desk.

Also everybody in your group does not have to go to the RAC desk. I was able to check in my family without them being there. Stop at the desk the day before and ask if you have any questions.

That is great to hear! We were there in early December.

Thanks!