How To Pack With Today’s New Bag Fees on Hawaiian Flights
How To Pack With Today’s New Bag Fees on Hawaiian
Airline fees are annoying and even though we can pay them, we simply don’t want to. And it comes as no surprise that they are on the increase again today, this time from bellwether Hawaiian Airlines. Effective for trans-Pacific flights booked on or after November 13, 2018, Hawaiian Air will be charging $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second checked bag. That’s an increase of $5 for each bag. Inter-island fees remain unchanged.
What have you been doing about bag fees, if anything?
We’ve been rethinking what to pack when traveling to and from Hawaii, in part to reduce bag fees. For one thing, we just bought new carry-on’s that really help (see tips and tricks below).
These fees are across all airlines with the lone exception of soon to be arriving Southwest Hawaii flights. It seems harder to avoid them when coming to Hawaii given the average stay duration and distance. Ancillary airline fees have been on the increase since their introduction ten years ago, and last year, it was estimated that they amounted to $82 billion worldwide. Read on for our freshly updated checked bag fees by airlines for flights to Hawaii.
1. Updated costs for checked bags on flights to Hawaii (effective 11/2018):
Alaska Airlines: $25 first bag, $25 second bag. (2nd best deal).
Hawaiian Airlines: $25 $30 first bag, $35 $40 second bag. Note: Inter-island bag fees have not increased.
Southwest Airlines (flights not announced yet): No charge for first two checked bags. (Best deal).
2. Tips and Tricks on Carry-on and Checked bags.
Use a larger carry-on that still fits in airline overheads (22 x 14 x 9). Warning: be sure to check the actual dimensions (rather than the quoted dimensions) when purchasing luggage. Most luggage companies measure without including the wheel protrusion. The airlines, on the other hand, measure total exterior dimensions including wheels. Frequently, a 22″ carry-on actually has a dimension of over 23″.
Newer carry-on’s weight about half what they did just a few years ago. We replaced 10 lb bags with 6 lb bags.
On Hawaiian Airlines for example, our full-size 22″ (measured) carry-on fits directly into the overhead both inter-island and trans-Pacific. Check what size will fit on the airline and plane type that you’ll be flying.
You won’t need as much clothing as you think. One sweater or sweatshirt, long pants and athletic shoes worn on the plane are generally adequate for staying warm during all seasons in Hawaii. A shell (no liner) for rain also helps. The remaining clothes can be lightweight, mostly shorts, shirts and sandals. Dressing beyond “resort casual” is less common in Hawaii.
Do plan some for some laundry while you’re here. Many if not most Hawaii accommodations have laundry facilities on location or nearby. The exception is generally the better hotels; although now many highly rated hotels have a guest laundry. Even without laundry facilities, quick washing can be done in a sink (consider packing a 1-2 ounce container of liquid dish washing soap), and a drying line in the bathroom is either provided or can be improvised. Have you tried the incredible travel clothes we wear from Ex Officio? They wash in the sink, dry in a few hours and always look good.
Use the hotel beach towels. Bringing your own takes up valuable luggage space. Use the hotel towels and drop them off on your day of departure en route to the airport. Or, consider a fast-dry travel towel. We find those very handy after checking out, when heading to the beach before the airport.
White clothes stay home. They don’t mix very well with the unavoidable red dirt here in Hawaii. Especially true for shoe soles.
We’ve seen suggestions to pack some clothes you’ll be giving/throwing away soon. You can drop them off when you’re leaving (perhaps donating them if they are in good condition) and replace them in your luggage with souvenirs.
Keep track of the weight of your carry-on (and your checked luggage). Airlines are beginning to enforce carry-on weight limits, so be prepared in case they do. A portable luggage scale just keeps on working trip after trip.
Join the airline’s loyalty program. For example, Hawaiian Air’s frequent flyer membership will get you a $10 savings on the first checked bag and $15 saving on the second on inter-island flights. We suggest signing up for membership prior to purchasing Hawaiian Airlines tickets.
Check airline credit card programs. Many of these offer free checked bags or other perks worth investigating.
Updated 11/13/18.
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