Up 20% last year and continuing. With tips and tricks to avoid unwanted costs. Checked bag fees on flights to Hawaii.
53 thoughts on “Checked Bag Fees On Hawaii Flights To Rise”
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Up 20% last year and continuing. With tips and tricks to avoid unwanted costs. Checked bag fees on flights to Hawaii.
Comments are closed.
Can you clarify whether the increased.fees. applies to flights BOOKED or FLOWN after November 13? I booked a ticket about 10 months ago and when I wanted to check-in today, it wanted to charge me the new fee ($30) per bag from the West Coast to Hawaii. That seems inconsistent with their policy.
We were on the Big Island in April. We have Amazon Prime (like most of the world) and used Prime to send directly to the hotel. We added our confirmation number on the shipping info and everything was waiting for us when we arrived. Saved a checked bag!
Great Suggestion!!
How does that work? Sounds great as I fly often to Oahu to my son’s winery. Thanks for your help! All mamas like to take things to the kid visits! Thanks – love to read “Beat of Hawaii!
Hi Karen.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Really? People worry over $120 to $160 in baggage fees? When compared to the total cost of your trip to Hawaii, it is minimal at best. So if these fees are really a big financial issue for you, you might need to rethink spending the money on the trip in the first place. With that said, I truly believe the airlines should just increase the cost per seat and allow 2 bags per passenger for free.
I agree with Timothy…if you’re worried about your nickels and dimes, Hawaii may not be your best option. On the same subject, Beat of Hawaii is constantly promoting airfare sales, most of which are very restrictive. Would you really plan a whole trip to Hawaii, or at least on specific dates, because you can save $50 on airfare?
While the baggage fees might seem minimal, that money can be better used on other goods/experiences, and that’s why people try to avoid the fees. If money is not in an endless supply, it’s a matter of priorities, and I for one appreciate all the tips and tricks I can find. Thanks Beat of Hawaii!
Hi Dee.
Thank you! Sometimes it is better when we don’t say anything and let others comment. We seriously dislike ancillary airline fees. It isn’t even just the money – it’s the idea of the whole thing.
Aloha.
I agree. Flying just FELT BETTER in the good old days when everything was included in the ticket price. Luggage, drinks, food and REAL dinnerware and cutlery. Nothing plastic. No glasses of ice with 2 oz of soda pop. They gave you the whole can. etc. etc. etc. I think those of us of a certain age remember those ‘good old days’ with fondness. OH, they even gave our kids little keepsakes – they give nothing away today except credit card applications. ha ha
Hi Colleen.
That is classic – all they give away is credit card applications.
Aloha.
Yes, I can be funny from time to time. Sadly, for everyone, it’s true.
That is the most insane comment ever! Who wants to pay for baggage? That is the greediest thing by airlines ever. An extra $160 for bags, yes people would rather use that on a trip! SWA will kill them in this dept. And raise seat prices? Dude are you someone that loves paying extra money for know reason?
I agree with your last sentence. Southwest does that, but still gives you two bags free!
We were soooo looking forward to our trip to Hawaii in 2019 with SWA. But, since the Max 8 debacle, we will be flying Hawaiian again and probably on future flights. The Max 8s will have to fly without incident for a very long time before any ‘low’ fares or free checked bags temp us to fly. Very Sad. We even worked extra hard to get the companion pass this year only to have to scrub our flight to Hawaii on SWA due to fear. Maybe we are overreacting, but it is what it is. Fear is just that – fear.
That’s a silly statement. It’s not that people can’t afford it. We’re tired of getting nickel and dimed just to take a vacation! I would never spend $120 to check luggage unless I had no choice and could not go at all. I feel I already pay enough to enjoy Hawaii, why add to the bill if I don’t have to. That’s why I’m looking forward to SW! ☺️
My problem with taking only a carry-on is the cosmetic stuff I need. Most of it is not available over there or would cost me more than the saved baggage fees, I put them in a rubber maid container and it takes up a lot of space. If I use baggies they can get crushed and squirt out in the bag – NO! I can put them in smaller containers in my backpack, but ONLY ONE quart-sized baggie is allowed, right? Any ideas people?
That is why we fly Southwest. However, the traveler must remember that most of Hawaii is extremely casual so bring less and get a place with a washer dryer. Unfortunately those with toys like snorkel and biking safety gear cant get a break on bringing less. I think that those extra unregulated bag fees just take away from money spent in Hawaii and thus hurt local business. And less goods I buy there to take home like coffee!
Just paid $50 for two checked bags on Hawaiian airlines (two people traveling) from KOA to HNL for the 47 minute flight tomorrow morning. Nice if you would have ADDED Southwest Airlines to your bag fee list. Granted flights with SWA have not started yet but all signals say that two bags per person come with NO ADDITIONAL FEES. Also looking forward to SWA doing inter-island flights to see if Hawaiian Airlines make a change in their inter-island baggage fees.
You mist have missed this part:
Southwest Airlines (flights not announced yet): No charge for first two checked bags. (Best deal).
And if you think the price is steep for a suitcase, try looking at the cost of flying with a bicycle (or other sporting equipment). $100-$150 each way is standard, but Alaska Air charges the same for a bike as a suitcase. So if you have their credit card and get a free checked bag, and that bag happens to be your bike, you just saved a couple of hundred dollars per trip.
I do have to disagree partially about the snorkeling equipment. We pack our masks and snorkels but rent fins. It’s the fins that take up the space. And anyone who has rented or purchased a cheap mask or one that does not fit properly, knows how important it is to have good quality and good fitting equipment. I’d leave behind that extra pair of shoes before leaving behind my mask and snorkel.
Ditto on the snorkel gear. :0)
Any suggestions on packing a wedding dress for our trip in April 2018
I would pack a wedding dress in a carryon suitcase and get it pressed over there. I wouldn’t let it out of my sight.
Granted, I have been married 50 years and did not do a destination wedding. But, was thinking (if your heart can stand the strain) have you considered shipping the dress INSURED, of course? You could then box it appropriately and often hotels will accept packages a week ahead of time for a small fee.
I can say this after 50 years and realizing I am a LOT more relaxed about things now than I was then. So, do feel free to ignore this post. you won’t hurt my feelings one bit. I was just thinking out loud.
If you have not bought the dress yet – perhaps consider some of the very ‘casual’ looking dresses that go great with a beach wedding and bare feet. MORE unsolicited advice :0)
PS on wedding dress:
Daughter in law took hers as carry on in a nice garment bag and had the hotel steam it or you can take your own steamer if you don’t trust it out of your sight. If it can hang a couple days it should look good. Hope you have a WONDERFUL HAWAII WEDDING and many happy years.
I took my wedding dress to St Lucia in a foldable suitcase wardrobe. I was questioned once when we got on the small plane to St Lucia if they could stow it and I told them the contents. The airline (American) said we wouldn’t want to make you stress out about not having your dress out of sight so I just did the check at the gate with it. They didn’t want to deal with a panicked bride to be and I don’t blame them. Just don’t do the traditional bag check part. Too many risks for that type of item.
When buying trinkets and other souvenirs for friends and family, I stop at a post office and send the gift directly to the recipient. If you send Priority Mail you get a box and can use the Post Office’s Priority Mail tape. The mailing cost is the same as mailing on the mainland.
Mahalo nui Suzanne!
Aloha.
I also mail items back home to myself, particularly liquids (skin creams, lotions) since I only bring carry-on bag for my usual 10-12 day stay. Priority Mail is a whole lot less than baggage fees and no risk of having liquids confiscated.
As for packing clothing you intend to donate, please make sure it’s laundered and folded before donating. A friend packs worn out underwear they plan to toss, then throw it away as they go. But in general, you can pack so light for Hawaii that not much is needed.
We are trying to determine how to manage our luggage from the time we get off cruise ship at 0800 until we go to airport at 6pm. We were thinking we didn’t want to carry it around the city does anyone please have any suggestions? Thank you
Hi Beth.
From our recollection there is no longer luggage storage at or near the airport. Are you going on the NCL cruise or another one. If it is NCL, would suggest you plan to be at the dock by 12 noon or earlier. You can board much sooner than is indicated and you’ll save yourself a lot of lines and grief in so doing.
Aloha.
It seems like they are asking about the debarkation, the reverse of your answer. Take a day tour of the city or to Pearl Harbor, etc., and a decent tour company should store the luggage for you.
I don’t know where you are staying, but the Hilton Hawaiian Village has a room that you can drop off your luggage and then come back to pick it up when you are ready. We have been to Oahu several times, and have used this each time. Be sure to leave them just a little tip.
ROLL those clothes – you get far more in the suitcase. Swap out cotton for the lighter weight clothing such as Columbia, REI, and even women’s retailer Chico’s Zynergy collection. Cotton is rotten in the terms of sweat retention, wrinkles and weight. These lighter weight fabrics not only weigh less, they roll into small tube sizes and wrinkles disappear, especially in Hawaii. no ironing and they wash well and just hang to dry. If going in winter months or over to Kauai where it rains more, do bring a light weight rain jacket with hoodie. Also, pack one or two of the Tide laundry pods in a baggie and don’t forget a couple of dryer sheets.