Airline Luggage Surcharges

With the cost of fuel rising daily, 3 of the major airline carriers that service Puerto Rico have decided to initiate a luggage surcharge for ALL checked bags.

United, American Airways and US Airways all require that passengers pay an additional $15 for the first piece of checked luggage and $25 for the second piece (this is per person). There are also extra charges depending on if your luggage is oversized and or over the weight limit.

The following are the effective dates and charges:

United
The luggage surcharge applies to Flights within the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Traveling on or after August 18, 2008 on an Economy ticket or Economy award ticket purchased on or after June 13, 2008, the first piece of luggage will cost $15
Tickets purchased after February 4, 2008 the second piece of luggage will cost you $25
Overweight charge – Over 50 lbs/23 kgs will cost $100 or $125 depending on when you purchased your ticket
Oversized charge (62-80 in) – $100 or $125 depending on when you purchased your ticket

See the United Airlines site for full details and exceptions to these charges.

American Airlines
The luggage surcharge applies to flights within the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada.
$15 for the first checked piece for tickets purchased on or after June 15, 2008
$25 for the second checked piece for tickets purchased on or after May 12, 2008
Overweight charge – Over 50 lbs/23 kgs but less than 70 lbs/32 kgs will cost $50 USD
Oversized charge (>62in) – $150

See the American Airlines site for full details and exceptions to the charges

US Airways
Charges apply to all flights to and from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as flights within the U.S.
First piece of luggage – $15 (<50lbs), $50 (51-70lbs), $100 (71-100lbs) Second piece of luggage - $25 (<50lbs), $75 (51-70lbs), $125 (71-100lbs) Oversized charge (62-80 in) - $100 See the US Airways site for full details and exceptions

So for any one traveling to Puerto Rico you need to factor in an extra $30 per person, if you plan on traveling with 1 piece of checked luggage.

So called Low Cost Airlines:
JetBlue are currently only charging for the second piece of checked luggage at $25
Spirit Air will charge after June 20, 2008 $15.00 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second

Coqui Tips:
If you are planning on a quick weekend break to Puerto Rico, consider traveling with just carry on luggage. This way you will avoid the checked luggage surcharge and also the delay waiting for your luggage to reach the carousel.

If you are traveling with someone else, consider redistributing your luggage between other suitcases to ensure that no one has a piece that is over the weight limit. It’s much better to do this before you get to the airport, rather than in line at the check-in

If weight could be a potential problem (because you are taking some great souvenirs back home), then consider getting these ‘portable digital luggage scales‘.
These scales will easily fit in your luggage and will allow you to weigh your bags before getting to the airport. The scales cost around $25, and will pay for themselves by saving you from having to pay the weight restriction surcharge.