Airlines Might Charge For Overstuffed Carry-On Bags

Before you board a flight this holiday season, think twice about stuffing that carry-on full of gifts to avoid a checked-bag fee. You may get charged anyway.

Already armed with an exhaustive list of checked-bag fees, some airlines are stepping up enforcement of weight limits for carry-ons. This may lead to aggravation if an airline agent weighs your bag at the gate and then charges you.

Weight limits for carry-on bags are imposed mostly on international flights. But George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com says charges on domestic flights may not be far behind.

A practical reason for weight restrictions is they limit an airline's liability for accidents, such as when a heavy bag falls from an overhead bin and hits someone.

But they're also a way carriers can generate more income. Under congressional pressure, major U.S. airlines vowed earlier this year not to charge fees for carry-on bags. But they haven't ruled out widening their restrictions on how much those bags can weigh.

None of the major U.S. airlines caps the weight of a carry-on bag on domestic flights. But several do on international flights. United, for example, sets a 44-pound limit for coach passengers flying within Asia or the Middle East. American Airlines puts a 50-pound limit on carry-on bags for trips to and from the Caribbean and Latin America. The airlines don't charge for checking the first bag on those routes, but you may get stung if your carry-on tops a limit and you've already checked one bag. A second checked-bag fee can cost as much as $60 or $70.

Big international airlines, such as British Airways and Lufthansa, have more widespread limits on carry-on luggage. Caps can range from as little as 18 pounds to as much as 50. But most of those airlines let passengers check one bag for free, lessening the chance that passengers will pay an unexpected fee.

Some airlines have a weight restriction on carry-ons and charge for a first checked bag. Hawaiian Airlines, which flies to the western U.S. and plans to start flights to New York in June, sets a maximum carry-on weight at 25 pounds. It charges $25 for a first checked bag for flights to and from North America.

During the holidays, expect airlines to ask you to check more bags as a way to clear the cabin even if the bags aren't overweight.

Airlines won't charge a fee for this last-minute switch, but travelers should be aware so they can comply with airlines' requests and keep their valuables within reach.

That means you should pack valuables in a smaller bag (such as a purse or even a large Ziploc bag) within a carry-on. That way, if you have to check your bag, you can grab your important items and keep them with you on the flight. This will especially pay off if your checked bag is lost or stolen.

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