A straightforward add-on to your ticket could save you a world of stress
When flying, we all bank on having overhead bin space for our carry-on bags, despite knowing, in our heart of hearts, that getting that space is a crapshoot. I even remained stoically optimistic after finding myself in the final boarding group on a crowded trip from New York to Milan, Italy (final destination: Bologna).
You know where this is going. Or perhaps you don’t, because what happened next can only be described generously as a fiasco. My bag, which I was allowed to bring onto the plane, was nonetheless checked at the last minute due to lack of bin space. This, in turn, resulted in a long wait at baggage claim, a missed train to Bologna, a rainstorm, a broken-down bus and me knocking on a parish church door after midnight in an ancient, walled village during a blackout in search of a bathroom.
Suffice it to say, I wish I had known the trick I know now. It’s a surprisingly affordable upgrade that can get you early access to the cabin and the luggage space you need—all without breaking a sweat. Read on to find out what it is and how you can take advantage of it.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, cleaning, humor, tech and fun facts all week long.
Why is there often not enough room in the overhead bins?
Having room for your suitcase in an overhead bin is now something of a luxury, even with many airlines—including United, American and Alaska—updating their overhead bins to fit more belongings.
There are a host of reasons for the continued lack of space, including planes jamming in additional seats, the increase in post-pandemic travel, passengers trying to squeeze in extra carry-on items or hoping to avoid the wait at baggage claim upon landing, and airlines raising their checked-baggage fees.
The latter has gotten the most attention of late, as Southwest Airlines recently ended its “bags fly free” policy, part of what the airline has called its ongoing “evolution.” Currently, no U.S. airline offers free checked bags on domestic or short-haul international flights.
Looking at specifics, this means Southwest Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred customers must now pay $35 for their first checked bag, and $45 for their second on most flights. At United, the first checked bag is generally $35 if you pay in advance online, and the second is $45. Things go up considerably for most international other flights: That first checked bag could cost you $60, and the second $100. It’s a fast way to thin out your wallet.
Not surprisingly, the number of flights requiring gate-checked bags is increasing. According to one report, roughly 70% of Delta flights check bags at boarding, up about 10 percentage points from before the pandemic.
What’s the order of boarding priority for flights?
Early boarding means being witness to a wonderful sight: Open overhead bins with absolutely nothing in them. Obviously, not everyone can board early, leaving many of us to enjoy one of our least-favorite activities: Waiting to step on the plane, and once in it, finding the bins stuffed to the gills. (That is, if we haven’t already been forced to partake in another favorite activity: gate-checking the carry-on.)
So how does boarding work? Airlines use a tiered system, often broken into “groups” or “zones,” that indicates when any given passenger can board; this info can be found on boarding passes. While they vary by airline, here’s a general overview of the order in which these categories of people can present their boarding passes and head down the jet bridge:
- Preboarders: Certain individuals are able to preboard the plane, notably those with disabilities, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airline Passengers Disabilities Bill of Rights. Others likely to preboard are active military members, families with children 2 years old or younger, and unaccompanied minors.
- Premium boarding-pass holders: This category often includes first- and business-class fliers, frequent fliers, premium economy seat holders and those with airline-branded credit cards.
- Economy passengers: Finally, it’s time for those passengers in the main cabin, or those flying basic economy. American Airlines puts these folks in “Group 7” and “Group 8,” while over at Delta, those same passengers fall into “Zone 7” and “Zone 8.”
What’s the trick that can secure your bag’s spot in an overhead bin?
Being in one of the last groups to board, of course, greatly diminishes your chance of finding room for your carry-on. But we have some great news: An affordable solution is available for most, if not all, passengers (depending on the airline) regardless of ticket price or cabin status—a priority boarding upgrade.
While the cost of this add-on varies, as do the rules as to when and how it can be purchased, it’s an excellent option for those looking to lower their flying anxieties. On nearly all airlines, it’s also cheaper than checking a bag. With the caveat that you should always check details with your airline, the particulars tend to be straightforward.
At Southwest, for example, you have two choices: an upgraded boarding add-on that starts at $30 per customer and which must be purchased within 24 hours of departure; and the EarlyBird Check-In, which gives customers automatic check-in before the airline’s traditional 24-hour check-in and gives you the benefit of an earlier boarding position and earlier access to overhead bin storage.
At United Airlines, priority boarding, which starts at $24 per person, is available on select United and United Express flights worldwide and can be added to your United Economy or Economy Plus ticket. (Passengers flying in Basic Economy cannot purchase priority boarding.)
How can you get this upgrade?
Buying this add-on couldn’t be simpler. Most airlines allow you to purchase it several ways, including via their websites, their apps and at the ticket counter (day-of only).
Some airlines, including Delta Air Lines, do not offer a stand-alone add-on priority boarding option.
Can the purchased add-on be a cost saver?
Yes, when weighed against the option of buying a more expensive ticket that comes with priority boarding. Say you want to fly from LaGuardia Airport in New York City to the Los Angeles International Airport in September. A “Choice Cabin” ticket at Southeast, which is the only ticket class that guarantees priority boarding, can easily cost you around $299, while a basic ticket averages out at $149. It makes a $30 add-on well worth the price.
Are there other ways to board early?
Yes. Premium tickets guarantee a passenger has early access to the cabin and its overhead bins. If the stress of boarding and fighting for bin space is keeping you from flying, and you can afford to pay for a higher-cabin ticket, this is a frictionless way to fly.
You can also work toward obtaining elite status on your airline (or airlines) of choice. To do so, you can join their loyalty programs, often called frequent flier programs, and this is free. These include American Airlines’s AAdvantage programs and Alaska Air’s Mileage Plan. You can expect, in addition to priority boarding, perks such as bonus miles and checked-bag benefits.
Lastly, airline credit cards are an excellent way to earn points that can be transferred to miles, making this a simple way to work toward elite status. With the Capital One Spark card, for example, you can earn miles with every business-related purchase.
If you tend to fly on the same airline, a co-branded airline credit card, such as the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, is another excellent way to go. That particular card currently earns you 50,000 bonus miles if you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Be a good citizen
An airline ticket is not a promise that your personal belongings will be just an arm’s length away.
If you get into your cabin and there is luggage space, remember that there are no assigned or guaranteed bins. It’s first come, first served, and stories of people flipping out because they had to put their roll-on five seats behind their own only serve to remind us that manners have gone out the window. So, take a deep breath, consider that upgrade and hope for the best.
RELATED:
- How to Help Your Suitcase Arrive Early at Baggage Claim
- 11 Mistakes You Should Never Make at Baggage Claim
- 13 Airplane Hacks That Will Change the Way You Fly
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- PR Newswire: “United Becomes First Airline to Add New, Larger Overhead Bins to Embraer E175 Aircraft”
- Airbus: “American Airlines launches A321neo service with new cabin, larger overhead luggage bins”
- Alaska Airlines: “To increase overhead storage 48%, Alaska Airlines is first to get new Space Bins from Boeing”
- Southwest Support: “Checked bag policy”
- Southwest Airlines: “Optional travel charges”
- American Airlines: “Customer service”
