Most "baggage calculators" tell you what one airline will charge. This one tells you the cheapest of three options across 8 airlines — including the option nobody thinks of: just ship it.
Pick the airline, route type, and what you're bringing. We'll do the comparison.
Most airlines count a "standard" bag as ≤ 23 kg (50 lb) and ≤ 157 cm (62 in) total dimensions. Overweight = $$$. Oversize = $$$. Both = $$$$.
Home → hotel. Used to compare "ship ahead" cost.
Add at least 1 bag and click Compare.
Cheapest option
Same bags, same region, same cabin — but different fee structures.
Standard baggage calculators do one thing: how much will the airline charge for your bag? They miss the actually-useful question: what's the cheapest way to get my stuff there? For some trips — short, one-bag, low weight — that's still checking. For others, especially on US carriers with overweight bags, it's shipping ahead.
US carriers use a "piece concept" — they care about the bag as a unit, plus whether it crosses a weight threshold (50 lb / 23 kg) or a size threshold (62 linear inches / 157 cm). The first checked bag is typically $30–$40 on domestic routes, $0–$100 on international. The second is $40–$50. The third or more jumps to $150–$200+.
Overweight fees are where travelers get ambushed. A 51 lb bag on most US carriers is an extra $100. A 70 lb bag is $200. A 100+ lb bag is usually refused at the gate. Pre-paying online saves $10–$15 per bag, but the heavy/oversize surcharges are the same either way.
Most non-US carriers use a "weight concept" — the free allowance is a total weight (e.g. 23 kg) across all bags, and excess is charged per kilogram. This rewards packing light across multiple bags. Lufthansa, for example, charges €12 per kg over the allowance on European routes; €24 per kg on long-haul. Packing 24 kg in two bags instead of one bag can save real money.
For a single 20–25 kg bag traveling 500–1,500 km, ground shipping (UPS, FedEx, USPS) often costs $40–$80 — about the same as a first checked bag on a US airline, sometimes less. The downsides: slower (3–7 days), requires someone at the destination, and insurance for valuables adds cost. But for non-fragile, non-urgent items, it deserves a look.
The airline's own fee page is always the source of truth — and we say so explicitly in the disclaimer. What this tool adds is the comparison: it shows you the same bags priced across 8 carriers in the same place, and the often-missed "ship it" option. Use the airline's site to confirm before paying.
We update the table when airlines publish new schedules (typically twice a year: spring and autumn). Even so, individual route pricing can differ — promotional fares sometimes include a free checked bag, and basic economy fares on US carriers now routinely exclude even carry-on for some routes. Always check the specific fare class you booked.
Yes — specifically for overweight bags (over 23 kg) on US carriers, where the surcharge is $100+ but a ground-shipping box of the same weight is often $50–$80. The break-even typically kicks in at the second checked bag, or the first bag if it's overweight. The downsides (time, tracking, insurance) make it unsuitable for urgent or fragile items, which is why we present it as one option among three, not a blanket recommendation.
Basic economy on US carriers (and increasingly on European ones) frequently changes baggage rules. United basic economy, for example, now includes a free full-size carry-on in most markets but no free checked bag. American basic economy historically allowed no carry-on for transcontinental routes — rules change. If you booked basic economy, set "Elite status" to "None" and double-check the airline's basic-economy baggage page.
Calculations are per-direction, which is how airlines actually charge. For a round trip with the same bags in both directions, double the per-direction total. For a round trip where you're checking bags only on the way back (e.g. souvenir shopping), just run the calculation once for the return leg.
The Baggage Fee Reality Check is part of VoyageCalc. It compares the three most common ways to get your bags to your destination (check at gate, check online ahead, ship ahead) across 8 major airlines. Fee tables are based on publicly published carrier tariffs and updated twice a year. This is not a booking tool and we are not affiliated with any airline.
All inputs (airline, bag weight, dimensions) are processed in your browser. We do not transmit, log, or store any of this data. No first-party cookies are set. Third-party advertising (Google AdSense) on this site may use cookies for ad personalization — opt out via Google Ads Settings. Full policy on the home page.
Output is for planning only. Airline fees change frequently, vary by specific route and fare class, and are subject to carrier-specific exceptions. Elite status, credit-card benefits, promo waivers, codeshare flights, and basic-economy restrictions are not fully modeled. Always verify fees on the airline's official website before checking or shipping.