✈ Bag Fees Hit All-Time Highs & How to Avoid Them, Points and Miles Travel Deals & More Daily News From TPG ✈

Plus: Phantom award space and how to avoid it February 26, 2024 [THE POINTS GUY]( [View in browser]( [TPG Daily Newsletter]( TOGETHER WITH [Partner Logo]( [THE POINTS GUY]( TOGETHER WITH [Partner Logo]( How to avoid paying for checked bags by Becky Blaine, Senior Newsletter Editor [TPG | Hero Image] Airlines are nothing if not copycats. Late last week, both [American Airlines and United Airlines followed JetBlue's and Alaska Airlines’ moves]( by raising checked bag fees in a follow-the-leader type of fashion. This means the cost to check a bag at the counter could be as high as $45 — each way! But this is TPG, and we are here to show you the ways around this without wearing multiple layers of clothing on board or stuffing pillowcases full of clothes. Multiple credit cards provide free checked bags as a perk. You might already have one in your wallet and not realize you have this benefit, so [be sure to check out the list]( and use that card when purchasing your airline ticket. If you don’t want an airline credit card with that perk, there are also a [handful of cards that offer a flexible airline fee credit]( where you can designate your preferred carrier each year and use the credit to offset or eliminate baggage fees, seat fees or onboard Wi-Fi fees. I do this with [The Platinum Card® from American Express]( which offers up to $200 as an annual airline credit (enrollment required). It covers baggage fees for my husband when he flies solo without my elite status perks. And, at the end of the day, if you absolutely must check a bag, be sure to [put an Apple AirTag inside](. It’s saved more than one of us from losing a bag when traveling. Want to learn more about airline baggage fees and how to avoid them? Check out these stories: - [How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines]( - [These 26 credit cards can get you free checked bags]( - [The best airline credit cards with annual fees under $100]( Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, [visit this page](. Photo Credit: LU SHAOJI/GETTY IMAGES. TOGETHER WITH [Partner Logo]( “Eat to Earn” +10 rewards with Amex Refer a friend and if they're approved and get a card, you can earn +10 rewards per dollar spent at restaurants for 3 months on up to $25,000. This is on top of what you already earn on your card. Plus, you can earn your standard referral bonus for each eligible referral. Offer ends May 22, 2024. Terms, cap and eligibility apply. [Learn more]( Today’s top stories [Deal alert: Points and miles travel deals for February 2024]( For this month, we found promotions to earn unlimited Marriott bonus points and elite night credits, book Qsuite business class for just 70,000 Avios and earn Delta Air Lines elite status through 2026. [Read more]( [Phantom award space: What it is and ways to avoid it]( Phantom award space is one of the most frustrating aspects of the award travel hobby, but you can avoid it with these steps. [Read more]( [MGM Resorts and Marriott partnership: Book Vegas rooms starting at 5,000 Marriott points]( You can now book some MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas from just 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. [Read more]( [12 credit cards that can get you $1,000 or more in first-year value]( How much value are you getting from your credit card? If it's not enough, consider one of these choices, which can provide more than $1,000 in the first year. [Read more]( [What is the best cruise ship cafe? I spill the tea on the best cups of joe at sea]( Most vessels offer a least one place where passengers can grab free breakfast pastries and finger sandwiches later in the day, as well as coffee and tea for an added fee. [Read more]( [TPG | Banner]( [TPG | Banner]( The latest 1. [How to enjoy a ski resort vacation without hitting the slopes]( 2. [Bilt Rent Day (March): Vote to decide benefits, tickets to men's NCAA playoff games and more]( 3. [A review of JetBlue in economy on the Airbus A321LR from London to New York]( 4. [This epic new cruise itinerary will hit more destinations than you thought possible]( 5. [Exclusive look at the Renaissance Honolulu opening Thursday]( 6. [Do business credit cards affect personal credit?]( 7. [IHG Milestone Rewards: Earn confirmable suite upgrades, points and more]( 8. [Is the Marriott Bonvoy Business worth the annual fee?]( 9. [Your guide to Star Alliance airlines, lounges and elite status]( 10. [Which cruise ice cream is the best? I ate dozens of scoops to find out]( [fb]( [insta]( [yt]( [tw]( [in]( [mail](mailto:hello@thepointsguy.com) You are receiving this email because you opted in at [thepointsguy.com](. Where to find us: The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA USA If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe [here](. Changed your mind? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( at any time. Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which [ThePointsGuy.com]( receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our [advertising policy]( page for more information. 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