3 tips to avoid gate-checking your luggage

U.S. air travel hit pre-pandemic levels for the first time during the July 4 holiday, with nearly 20,000 flights experiencing cancellations or delays.

I've always been team carry-on only, but the frustration of summer air travel has only strengthened my aversion to checking luggage.

Even if you typically stick to a carry-on, there are moments when you might unexpectedly need to part with it.

This frustrating situation often occurs when a plane anticipates limited overhead bin space on crowded flights or smaller aircraft (like regional jets). Passengers may be asked — or even required — to check their bags at the gate.

This can be quite stressful, as your belongings are no longer within reach. It also introduces additional inconvenience and delays when retrieving your checked bag upon arriving at your destination.

If you have a flight coming up and want to reduce the chances of needing to check a bag, consider these three strategies.

Steer clear of fare classes that board last and limit carry-on luggage.

Many airlines permit travelers to check their carry-on bag at the gate without any extra fees when the overhead bin space is full.

This situation is particularly common with smaller aircraft, like regional jets, which offer limited overhead storage. To maximize your chances of securing bin space, aim to board as early as possible.

For most major airlines (except Southwest Airlines, which assigns boarding priority based on check-in time), your fare class dictates your boarding group.

Passengers booked in the most restrictive fare class, commonly known as basic economy, are usually among the last to board. Consequently, there's a high chance that overhead bin space will be filled by the time they get on.

These fares are often the least expensive option but come with numerous limitations, including last boarding privileges.

Certain airlines with this fare type also limit passengers to personal items that must fit under the seat in front, imposing fees on travelers who attempt to bring full-sized carry-ons for the overhead bins.

For instance, passengers with United basic economy or JetBlue Blue Basic tickets who attempt to bring a full-size carry-on to the gate will face a charge of $35 (along with a $25 gate handling fee) or $65, respectively, for checking their first bag.

A United representative confirmed via email that, "No matter how much overhead bin space is available, customers on a Basic Economy ticket bringing a full-size carry-on to the gate will need to check their bag and pay the corresponding checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge."

Thus, it’s advisable to steer clear of booking restrictive fare types whenever possible to allow for earlier boarding. Should you choose a restrictive fare and end up needing to check a bag, having airline elite status or a cobranded credit card can still offer some advantages.

Consider using a cobranded credit card that provides benefits like luggage perks and priority boarding.

Considering this, if you opt for a restrictive fare and find yourself needing to check a bag, having elite status with your airline can be beneficial.

The three leading U.S. airlines — Delta, United, and American — permit all status holders, even those at entry-level, to check one bag for free, with the allowance increasing from there. Additionally, elite status grants you priority boarding with these airlines, letting you board earlier unless you have a restrictive fare class.

Beyond status, there are specific cobranded credit cards that offer benefits like priority boarding and a complimentary checked bag. This is particularly useful for those loyal to a specific airline who purchase their tickets with that card.

All Delta cobranded cards provide users with their first checked bag free along with priority boarding: the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.

For fans of American Airlines, both the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (check rates and fees) and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (check rates and fees) offer one complimentary checked bag on domestic flights for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, plus preferred boarding.

Frequent flyers with United looking to check a bag should consider the United Explorer Card for one complimentary checked bag and priority boarding, or the United Club Infinite Card for up to two free checked bags.

Southwest's open seating policy favors passengers who check in earliest within the 24-hour window before a flight. Nevertheless, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card guarantees a boarding position between A1 and A15 based on availability, and those with elite status also receive priority boarding.

Be aware of your airline's baggage size restrictions.

Even if your fare allows for a full-size carry-on, it's essential to verify the size requirements specified by the airline regarding what qualifies as a carry-on bag.

By doing this, you eliminate the risk of needing to check your bag because it’s too large from the start. This is a rare instance where an airline may gate-check your bag for free due to limited overhead bin space.

To assist with this, many airlines provide a bag sizer at the gate where carry-on bags must fit. If a flight attendant suspects your bag is too big, you'll need to test it before boarding.

If your bag doesn’t fit, you’ll incur a checked bag fee, which varies by airline and ranges from $30 to $65 each way, except for Southwest, which allows two free checked bags for all fares.

Travelers who usually qualify for a free checked bag due to status or fare type will still be able to check their bag for free at the gate.

However, some ultra-low-cost carriers, like Spirit and Frontier, charge fees for both carry-on and checked bags, regardless of traveler status or cobranded credit cards.

The takeaway

Even if you're traveling with just a carry-on, there might be instances when you’re required to check your bag at the gate due to factors beyond your control.

To minimize the likelihood of needing to check your bag, avoid restrictive fare types that board last and impose penalties for carrying a full-size item.

When booking your flight, no matter the fare type, make sure to use a cobranded credit card that offers complimentary checked baggage as a perk, helping you avoid fees for gate-checked bags under any circumstance.

Most airlines permit status holders, even those at the lowest tiers, to check at least one bag for free, making loyalty to an airline a rewarding choice.

Ultimately, it's important to check your airline's baggage policy in relation to your fare type at the time of booking. A surefire way to ensure you’ll have to check your bag is by bringing one that exceeds the airline's size limits.