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Baggage fees are something most airlines charge today, but there are ways to get around it. From sticking to a single carry-on to using credit card rewards, there are many ways to avoid British Airway baggage fees.
Learn about the British Airways baggage policy and different ways you can avoid baggage fees to help you breeze through the baggage check-in process and save money on future travel plans.
What is British Airways’ baggage policy?
Like all airlines, British Airways has a baggage policy that determines how many bags you can bring and the cost. However, unlike most airlines, you may get a free carry-on, personal item, and even a checked bag.
British Airways’ carry-on policy
You’re allowed one personal item and one cabin bag for free on British Airways flights, so I suggest taking advantage of this to save on baggage fees.
British Airways’ maximum standard personal item weights and sizes are:
- Up to 16 inches x 12 inches x 6 inches (length x width x depth)
- Up to 51 pounds
British Airways’ maximum standard cabin bag weights and sizes are:
- Up to 22 inches x 18 inches x 10 inches (length x width x depth)
- Up to 51 pounds
If you’re traveling with children, each child (aged two to 11) has the same carry-on baggage allowance as an adult. If you have an infant (under two years old), you’re allowed an extra bag, such as a diaper bag, to bring items they may need while flying. If you pay for a seat for your infant, they’re booked as a “child” and given the same personal item allowance as an adult.
Each infant or child can also have up to two strollers or car seats that comply with the maximum hand baggage dimensions.
- Lightweight stroller: If you have a fully collapsible stroller with maximum dimensions of 46 inches x 15 inches x 15 inches (length x width x depth) when collapsed, you can bring it right to the aircraft door and then collect it at the aircraft door upon arrival at most airports.
- Car seats: Car seats are allowed at no extra charge for children or infants if they have a booked seat. The car seat must be no more than 18 inches across to be able to fit into an aircraft seat, and two-part (car seat plus base) car seats aren’t allowed.
It’s also free to take wheelchairs and other mobility aids for personal use if they’re within the size limits.
Note: Your handbags or laptop bags are guaranteed to travel in the cabin as personal items, but you may be asked to check your cabin baggage (for free) on busy British Airways flights.
British Airways’ checked baggage policy
British Airways is unique in that they allow one free checked bag per passenger on most flights. However, the number of checked bags you’re allowed to bring will vary depending on your destination and cabin.
Here’s the typical breakdown for checked baggage by fare type:
- Basic: No free checked baggage, but hand luggage is free.
- Economy: One free checked bag.
- Premium Economy: Two free checked bags.
- Business: Two free checked bags.
- First: Three free checked bags.
British Airways’ maximum standard checked baggage sizes and weights are:
- Up to 35 inches x 30 inches x 17 inches (length x width x depth)
- Up to 51 pounds (70 pounds for Business and First class)
Children (aged two to 11) and infants (under two years old) with a booked seat are given the same checked baggage allowance as adults. Infants without a booked seat are allowed one free checked bag.
Note: Certain British Airways routes may offer additional free checked luggage on Economy flights. For example, flights to Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria offer two free checked bags for Economy class passengers. Flights between Europe and Japan may also offer two free checked bags on Economy fares, and the same is true for Economy fares originating from Shanghai to London Heathrow and fares originating from Saudi Arabia or India to USA/Bermuda/Canada. Be sure to check your itinerary to see if it allows additional free checked baggage.
British Airways’ baggage fees
Unfortunately, British Airways doesn’t publish their baggage fees like other airlines. The cost varies based on your destination and fare type. But you can use the British Airways baggage allowance tool before booking to see estimated costs or check the baggage fees when booking tickets.
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All you need are the departure and arrival cities, departure dates, and travel class. You’ll see how many bags you are allowed to check and the online and airport price (it’s usually cheaper to prepay for checked bags).
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How to avoid baggage fees on British Airways flights
1. Pack light
Since you get a free cabin and personal bag, take advantage of it and try to avoid needing a checked bag. Pack as light as you can and use packing cubes to maximize the space available in your cabin bag. You can even use your personal bag, such as a backpack, as another place to carry toiletries or light clothing.
I know it can be scary to not pack everything you can think of, but you typically don’t need everything and there are always stores or washing machines to clean the clothes you brought with you.
2. Become an Executive Club member
It’s free to become an Executive Club member, but achieving the higher status levels will take some time and effort. However, it could be worth it if you frequently fly British Airways and want to avoid baggage fees.
Silver Executive Club members receive:
- An additional free checked bag allowance on Economy fares for everyone on your booking
- A maximum weight allowance of 71 pounds per checked bag on any type of fare for everyone on your booking
- Free seat selection
Gold Executive Club members receive:
- An additional free checked bag allowance on any type of fare (other than Basic) for everyone on your booking
- A maximum weight allowance of 71 pounds per checked bag on any type of fare for everyone on your booking
- Free seat selection
- Waived fees for Priority Reward bookings
3. Buy a premium ticket
I typically splurge for a premium ticket when I fly long distance, especially abroad. To keep my costs down, I keep my travel dates flexible and search for tickets early and often. Doing this may allow you to get an upgraded ticket for close to the price of an Economy ticket which means better seats, more in-flight amenities, and additional free checked baggage.
The maximum amount of free checked bags available by fare type is three, which is for First class tickets. You get two free checked bags for Premium Economy and Business class, and one free checked bag for Economy fares. Basic fares don’t come with a free checked baggage benefit.
4. Get a British Airways credit card
If you think you’ll fly British Airways often, you may consider a British Airways branded credit card, such as the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, provided by Chase.
The British Airways Visa Signature doesn’t provide an extra baggage allowance benefit, but you can earn Avios points on the purchases you make and then redeem them for rewards. Earning rates include 3X Avios on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL; 2X Avios on hotel accommodations (when booked directly with the hotel); and 1X Avios on all other purchases.
This can come in handy for award flights or upgrading your ticket. If you use points to book a fare with free checked baggage, you won’t have to worry about baggage fees on those bags. The same applies to upgrading your ticket with points to a fare class with more free checked bags.
To figure out how many Avios points an upgrade would cost, subtract how many points the fare you originally booked would cost from how many points the upgraded booking would cost.
For example, a Premium Economy one-way ticket from JFK (New York, U.S.) to LHR (London, United Kingdom) might cost 40,000 points while a Business one-way ticket on the same route could cost 60,000 points. If you subtract 40,000 from 60,000, you get a cost of 20,000 Avios (60,000 - 40,000 = 20,000) for your upgrade from Premium Economy to Business on this route.
Learn more in our British Airways Visa Signature Card review.
5. Opt for a general travel rewards card
Many of the best travel credit cards can also help you avoid baggage fees. For example, you may use rewards to book award flights and avoid most of the costs associated with flying, or you may have a credit card that provides free baggage.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers up to $300 in annual travel credits. This travel credit includes baggage fees, so you can immediately wipe out $300 in fees. Learn more about this card in our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
Other Chase credit cards, even non-travel ones, can also help you save on your travel expenses. One of the best rewards strategies for travelers who use Chase cards is to earn rewards on everyday purchases with multiple Chase cards and then transfer those rewards to a Chase card with better travel redemption rates, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, as these cards provide an additional 25-50% value when you use your rewards for travel redemptions.
FAQs
Does British Airways include a free checked bag?
Most British Airways flights include a free checked bag, though it depends on the fare class you’re flying. All fares receive free personal items, but Basic fares don’t provide a free checked bag.
Economy fares receive one free checked bag, Premium Economy and Business fares receive two free checked bags, and First class fares receive three free checked bags.
What do baggage fees cost on British Airways?
Baggage fees vary with British Airways depending on your flight itinerary, fare, and how many additional bags you want to check. Costs may range from about $35 to $200. Overweight bag fees are $100 per bag.
Keep in mind that British Airways does allow free personal items on every flight, and most flights (other than Basic fares) provide one free checked bag per person.
What's the weight limit for luggage on British Airways?
The standard weight limit for hand bags, cabin bags, and checked baggage on British Airways is up to 51 pounds each. If you’re on a Business or First class fare, your checked baggage weight capacity is up to 70 pounds.
Does British Airways waive baggage fees if you have elite status?
British Airways doesn’t waive baggage fees if you have elite status. But if you have Silver or Gold Executive Club status, you qualify for an increased checked baggage allowance.
Silver members get up to two free checked bags on Economy fares for everyone on the booking, while Gold members get up to two free checked bags in any travel class (other than Basic) for everyone on the booking.
Bottom line
Traveling can be expensive, especially if you fly often and have to pay baggage fees for your luggage. But if you research an airline’s baggage policies beforehand, it’s easier to prepare for how the fees work. This can help you learn how to avoid baggage fees entirely with certain tips and tricks.
In addition, using the right credit cards can help you cut down on your travel expenses, whether it’s baggage fees, flight costs, or even hotel stays. So the next time you’re planning a trip, consider implementing these strategies to help you save money while traveling.
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