Just Ask: Waived Baggage Fees

The introduction of baggage fees in the US domestic market took all of us by surprise when it started several years ago. A trend that started with European low-cost airlines jumped the pond and made it to your favorite standard airline. Since I do not spend much time in the US lately I am not sure with the fees that each airline is charging, but what I do know is that Spirit Airlines charges for carry-ons and Southwest seems to be the last of the Mohicans and still allows you to check a bag for free.

While I obviously disagree with baggage fees, they are an obvious fact of life….or are they?

Anyone that knows me knows that I am not afraid to ask anyone for anything. The worst they can say is “no”. I have crowned myself the queen of not only getting bags checked for free, but often times overweight bags and extra pieces. So how do I do it? I just ask. Well, ok, sometimes I add a bit of a story for good measure, but the key is just asking. During my recent trip to the US I had to take two domestic flights and by merely asking to have my baggage fees waived I saved a total of US$ 120. This is not an anomaly. It happened at LGA and DTW and has happened in plenty of other places as well. This year I have started writing a travel journal, and one piece of information that I include on each flight page is how much I saved from asking for waived fees. Next time you travel ask to have your baggage fees waived. Be creative in the reason you deserve the waiver and let me know if it works.