How to use the baggage fee calculator
- Enter the number of travelers and the checked bags per traveler.
- Enter any free checked bags your fare or card includes, and the fee for the first, second and later paid bags from your booking.
- Open More options for overweight bags and extra bag fees. Untick the round-trip box if fees apply one way only.
- Read the total, the cost per traveler and the split between bag fees and overweight fees.
Formula
Paid bags per traveler = checked bags - free bags (not below 0)
One traveler, one way = first fee + second fee + (paid bags - 2) x later fee, for the bags that apply
Bag fees = one traveler x travelers x directions
Overweight fees = overweight bags x fee x directions
Fees are counted once per direction. A round trip counts both ways, because airlines usually charge for each flight.
Three travelers with two bags each
With no free bags and fees of $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second, one traveler pays $80 each way. Three travelers pay $240 each way and $480 on a round trip, which is $160 each.
Now take two travelers with three bags each, one free bag per traveler and one overweight bag at $100. Each traveler pays for two bags, $80 each way, so 80 x 2 x 2 = $320, plus 1 x $100 x 2 = $200 of overweight fees, for $520. One traveler with four paid bags at $30, $40 and $125 pays 30 + 40 + 125 + 125 = $320 one way.
Where the fee amounts come from
The amounts in this tool are only examples. Airlines set their own fees, and they vary by route, fare, loyalty status, whether you pay online or at the airport and the size and weight of the bag. They also change, so take every figure from your booking confirmation or your airline's current fee page.
Ways to lower the total
Pack to the free allowance, check whether a fare with a bag included costs less than a cheaper fare plus fees, and weigh your bags at home to avoid an overweight charge. Sharing a bag between two travelers can save a whole bag fee when the weight limit allows it.
Weigh your bag with the Luggage Weight Calculator, compare cash and points with the Points vs Cash Travel Calculator and add the fees to a full Trip Budget Planner.
Assumptions and limits
- Every traveler checks the same number of bags and has the same free allowance.
- The fees are those you enter. Nothing is built in.
- Fees are charged on each direction you tick, and overweight fees apply per bag.
- Nothing is uploaded. Calculations run in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a checked bag cost?
It depends on the airline, route and fare, and it changes. The amounts shown on this page are examples. Look up the current fee for your flight, and enter it.
Are bag fees charged each way?
Usually, yes, because each flight is charged on its own. If your fees apply only once, untick the round-trip option.
What counts as an overweight bag?
A bag over the airline's weight limit for your fare. Overweight fees are charged on top of the normal bag fee. Weigh your bag before you leave, and enter the number of bags that may be over.
Do free bags apply to each traveler?
On this page, yes. Enter the free bags each traveler gets, for example from a fare or a card benefit. If only some travelers have a free bag, run the calculation twice and add the totals.