I still remember the sinking feeling I had at JFK earlier this year. I was standing at the kiosk, credit card in hand, staring at a screen asking for $70 just to check two bags. That wasn’t the price a year ago.

If you feel like airline baggage fees are spiraling out of control, you aren’t imagining it. In 2024, US scheduled passenger airlines collected a staggering $7.1 billion specifically in baggage fees, a 3% increase over the previous year according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

But the game has changed in 2025. It is no longer just about paying a flat fee. With new “dynamic pricing” models and synchronized price hikes across the major carriers, paying for luggage has become a surging expense that can ruin a budget vacation.

I’ve spent the last six months analyzing the new fee structures of every major US carrier to find the loopholes. Here is exactly how to beat the system.

The New 2025 Fee Landscape: Why You’re Paying More

Before we get to the hacks, you need to understand the battlefield. The rules of flying changed drastically in February and March of 2024, and those changes have solidified into the new normal for 2025.

The “Big Three” Fee Hike

In a synchronized move that frustrated millions of travelers, the three legacy carriers—American, United, and Delta—all raised their prices within weeks of each other.

• American Airlines: On February 20, 2024, they raised the cost of a first checked bag to $35 (if paid online) and a punishing $40 if you wait until the airport. This was confirmed by the Associated Press.
• United Airlines: Following suit on February 24, United raised their fees to $40 for the first bag if you don’t prepay at least 24 hours in advance.
• Delta Air Lines: On March 5, 2024, Delta completed the trifecta, raising their first checked bag fee by $5 to $35 for domestic flights, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

The Rise of “Dynamic” Pricing

This is the most dangerous shift for your wallet. In March 2024, JetBlue introduced a dynamic pricing model. Instead of a fixed cost, checking a bag during “peak” dates (which covers about 40% of the calendar, including summer and holidays) costs up to $10 more.

What About the “Junk Fee” Rule?

You might have heard about the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to ban hidden fees. While Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on April 24, 2024, that “Airlines should compete with one another to secure passengers’ business—not to see who can charge the most in surprise fees,” there is a catch.

As of late 2025, the enforcement of this rule is currently stayed by the 5th Circuit Court following airline lawsuits. This means you cannot rely on the government to protect you yet—you have to be proactive.

Strategic Fixes: The “Credit” Defense

The single most effective way to avoid baggage fees isn’t packing lighter—it’s having the right plastic in your wallet. Co-branded airline credit cards are the “cheat code” for legacy carriers.

Co-Branded Airline Cards (The Easiest Waiver)

Most airline cards have an annual fee of around $95 to $99. However, if you check a bag on just one round-trip flight with a partner, you usually break even.

Using Premium Travel Credits

If you aren’t loyal to one specific airline, premium cards like the American Express Platinum Card offer an annual “Airline Fee Credit” (currently $200). You have to select one airline each January, but this credit specifically covers incidental fees like baggage.

The Military Exemption

If you are active duty military, you should never pay for bags. Period. Most US airlines offer incredibly generous waivers—often up to 3-5 bags up to 70-100 lbs each.

However, the gap often missed is for dependents. On carriers like American and United, exemptions often apply to dependents only if they are traveling with the active duty member on the same reservation. Always carry your military ID and check the specific “Military Baggage Allowance” page of your carrier before arriving at the airport.

Tactical Fixes: Packing to Win

If you don’t have the credit card and aren’t in the military, you have to outsmart the system with physics.

The “Personal Item” Maximizer Strategy

Every airline, even budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier, allows one free “personal item.” The trick is that the dimensions for this (usually 18 x 14 x 8 inches) are essentially the size of a school backpack.

In 2025, the trend is moving toward “under-seat backpacks.” These are rectangular, soft-sided bags designed to maximize every cubic inch of that allowance without looking like a suitcase. As long as it slides under the seat in front of you, you save roughly $80 to $100 roundtrip on Spirit.

The “Gate Check” Gamble

This is a strategy I use constantly on legacy carriers (United/Delta/American), but it requires nerves of steel. Because overhead bins are full, agents often ask for volunteers to gate-check bags for free during boarding.

When it works: You bring a carry-on to the gate. If the flight is full, the agent will tag it to your final destination for $0. You just saved the $35 checked bag fee.

Wearable Luggage & The “Pillow Hack”

You may have seen the viral TikToks of people stuffing clothes into neck pillows. Does it work? Yes, but agents are catching on.

A more professional approach is “wearable luggage.” Brands like SCOTTeVEST make jackets with interior pockets designed to hold laptops, shirts, and toiletries. It essentially turns your body into a carry-on. Since airlines don’t weigh passengers (yet), this remains a valid loophole.

Airline-Specific Baggage Policies (2025 Update)

Here is the current state of play for the major domestic carriers. Keep in mind these are for standard economy tickets.

The “Unicorn”: Southwest Airlines

Southwest remains the only major US carrier that offers two free checked bags to every passenger. When comparing ticket prices, always subtract $70-$80 from the Southwest price to see the true value compared to competitors.

The “Overweight” Bag Win

There is actually one piece of good news in 2025. American Airlines adjusted their heavy bag fees. In the past, a bag weighing 52 lbs (just over the 50 lb limit) would incur a massive $100+ fee.

According to TravelPulse, American reduced the penalty for slightly overweight bags (50-53 lbs) to just $30 in 2024. While you should still aim for under 50 lbs, a slight error on the scale is no longer a financial disaster.

Conclusion: The “Golden Trio” Strategy

Beating airline baggage fees in 2025 doesn’t require a miracle; it requires a strategy. The era of the $25 bag fee is gone, and dynamic pricing is here to stay.

To consistently win, I recommend the Golden Trio approach:

1. Get the Card: If you fly more than twice a year, the co-branded card pays for itself.
2. Maximize the Personal Item: Buy a high-quality, maximizing under-seat backpack.
3. Use Compression: Invest in compression packing cubes to fit 30% more clothes into that carry-on.

Air travel is expensive enough without donating extra cash to the airlines. Use these tools, check your dates for “peak” pricing, and fly smarter.

FAQ: Your Baggage Questions Answered