Hate paying that $50 checked-bag fee? Try this money-saving luggage hack.

In certain cases, shipping your bag is ‘seamless and makes transit more effortless’

Last Updated: June 6, 2025 at 11:31 a.m. ET
First Published: June 5, 2025 at 12:21 p.m. ET

Here’s when it makes sense to ship your luggage instead of checking it. Checking a third bag can cost $150 on several major airlines. Photo: MarketWatch photo illustration/iStockphoto

With the end of Southwest Airlines’ beloved “bags fly free” policy, fliers on all domestic airlines are stuck shelling out money to check their bags — and some are exploring creative ways to offset the cost.

While Southwest LUV travelers used to be allowed to check two pieces of luggage at no additional cost, they must now pay $35 for their first bag and $45 for their second.