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Checked Baggage Fees

In general, Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) per bag and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches (157 cm) per bag in exchange for the applicable service fees set forth below. Outside dimension of a bag is equal to the width + height + depth of the bag added together. Certain customers are allowed to check three pieces of baggage. The fees are discounted for bags that are checked and pre-paid at continental.com. You may continue to check your bags at the airport or curbside for a higher fee.

The following customers will not be charged service fees to check a first or second bag (bags must meet weight and size restrictions):

• OnePass Silver Elite members and Star Alliance Silver members
• OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite members and Star Alliance Gold members
• First Class, International Business, and Latin Business Class customers
• BusinessFirst customers
• Continental Airlines Chase primary cardmembers will have their first checked-bag fees automatically waived
• Continental Airlines Presidential Plus primary cardmembers will have their first and second checked-bag fees automatically waived
• Any customer traveling on full fare economy class (Y) tickets
• Active U.S. military personnel
• U.S. military dependents traveling with U.S. military personnel on personal travel
• U.S. military dependents traveling on official business (with documentation)

Customers traveling with OnePass Elite members or dependents traveling with active U.S. military personnel are also exempt as long as they are traveling in the same reservation. This exemption will not apply to group reservations including 10 or more customers.

The following destinations will not be charged service fees to check a first or second bag:

• Transatlantic service between the United States and Israel and India
• Transpacific service between the United States (excluding Hawaii) and Japan and China
• Brazil

If your baggage needs require you to check additional baggage, or baggage that is over the listed size and weight, please review the Excess Baggage policy.

Fees apply for certain economy fares between the destinations indicated below based on dates of purchase and travel.

* The following table lists ticket purchase dates and the applicable checked baggage fee:

** Customers who purchased tickets prior to Oct. 2, 2009 will be charged $25 to check bags at continental.com or at the airport or curbside.

+ Fees apply to certain economy fares purchased on or after Nov. 1, 2009 for travel on or after Dec. 8, 2009.

++Fees apply to certain economy fares purchased on or after Nov. 1, 2009 for travel on or after April 1, 2010

To learn more, see our list of FAQs below.

FAQs — Fees for Checked Bags

• Who is exempt from the baggage fees?
• Are the checked-bag charges per passenger?
• Do the new checked-bag fees also apply to customers on Continental Express and Continental Connection flights?
• Do the bag fees cover my entire trip?
• What is the cost to check three or more bags during non-excess baggage embargoes periods?
• What is the fee for an overweight bag during non-excess baggage embargoes periods?
• What is the fee for an oversized bag during non-excess baggage embargoes periods?
• Is sporting equipment subject to bag fees?
• My child is under the age of two years and sits on my lap. When I check my one bag, will I be charged a service fee to also check my child's car seat or stroller?
• I travel with a wheelchair. If I check one bag, will I also be required to pay a service fee for my wheelchair when I check it?
• What happens when my trip includes travel in Economy Class that is exempt from the new baggage policy, and my return flight is not exempt?
• When I check in for a flight and pay checked-bag fees, what happens if the flight is cancelled and I do not travel that day?
• Can I pay for my checked bag at curbside?
• Can I pay for my checked bag while checking in online for my flight?
• If I'm traveling on a OnePass reward ticket, does the ticket require me to follow the new policy when I travel in Economy Class?
• If I upgrade to First Class on an economy ticket, will I be charged the second bag service fee?
• How will this affect the carry-on policy?
• What if I am connecting onto a codeshare or Star Alliance partner?
• How do Continental Airlines Chase credit and debit cardmembers qualify for the bag-fee waiver?

Who is exempt from the baggage fees?

The following customers will not be charged service fees to check certain bags:

• OnePass Elite members get their first and second checked-bag fees waived. Continental Airlines Chase primary cardmembers get their first checked-bag fees waived
• Star Alliance Gold and Silver members get their first and second checked bag fees waived
• Continental Airlines Presidential Plus primary cardmembers get their first and second checked-bag fees waived
• Any customer traveling on full fare economy class (Y) tickets get their first and second checked-bag fees waived
• Active U.S. military personnel get their first and second checked-bag fees waived
• U.S. military dependents traveling with U.S. military personnel on personal travel get their first and second checked-bag fees waived
• U.S. military dependents traveling on official business (with documentation) get their first and second checked-bag fees waived

Are the checked-bag charges per passenger?

Yes. For example, a family of four traveling on the same reservation will be charged for each of their first bags checked, one each per passenger. Each second bag per passenger would be assessed the applicable fee

Do the new checked-bag fees also apply to customers on Continental Express and Continental Connection flights?

Yes, this policy applies to all Continental Express flights, which are operated by ExpressJet and Chautauqua Airlines; and all Continental Connection flights, which are operated by Gulfstream International, CommutAir, Colgan Air and Cape Air.

Do the bag fees cover my entire trip?

You may check bags and pay the appropriate service fee each way of your trip. The charge applies for each flight and includes any connections as long as your baggage is checked to your final destination. If the bags are not within 50 lbs and/or 62 linear inches, overweight and oversize charges will be assessed in addition to the service fee.

What is the cost to check three or more bags during non-excess baggage embargoes periods?

The service fee is $100 per bag to check excess baggage, as long as the bag meets the weight and size requirements. If your bag exceeds the weight and size requirement, you will also be asked to pay an additional fee for overweight or oversized baggage.

What is the fee for an overweight bag during non-excess baggage embargoes periods?

Customers who travel in Economy Class with checked baggage over 50 lbs (23 kg) and not exceeding 70 lbs (32 kg) will be charged at the rate of $50 per piece. These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or oversized baggage. Baggage weighing more than 70 lbs (32 kg) will not be accepted as checked baggage.

What is the fee for an oversized bag during non-excess baggage embargoes periods?

Customers who travel with checked baggage exceeding 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height) will be charged at the rate of $100 per piece. These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or overweight baggage. Baggage measuring more than 115 in (292 cm) (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage.

Is sporting equipment subject to bag fees?

Yes. Sporting equipment that does not have its own service fee is subject to the first and second bag fees. Some sporting equipment is subject to its own service fee (i.e. surfboards, sailboards, pole vaults, etc.) and is exempt from the first and second bag fees. Get more information about sporting equipment service fees and restrictions.

My child is under the age of two years and sits on my lap. When I check my one bag, will I be charged a service fee to also check my child's car seat or stroller?

No. When traveling with a child, you may check a car seat or stroller as your first or second bag free of charge.

I travel with a wheelchair. If I check one bag, will I also be required to pay a service fee for my wheelchair when I check it?

No. Continental does not charge customers for checking a wheelchair.

What happens when my trip includes travel in Economy Class that is exempt from the baggage policy and my return flight is not exempt?

If any part of your trip on Continental contains a segment that is not exempt from the new policy, then you will be required to pay the bag service fee on the segment that is not exempt.

When I check in for a flight and pay checked-bag fees, what happens if the flight is cancelled and I do not travel that day?

You are eligible for a refund for the bag service fee when you involuntarily do not travel. You may request your refund through the Continental refund process either by e-mail, phone or regular mail. See details.

Can I pay for my checked bag at curbside?

Yes, you may pay the service fee at curbside check in by credit card.

Can I pay for my checked bag while checking in online for my flight?

When checking in at continental.com, you can input your credit card information to cover your checked-bag fees Your card will be charged immediately for the number of bags you designate at the time you check in online. If required, you may change the number of checked bags at the airport, however, bag fees paid online will not be refunded.

If I'm traveling on a OnePass reward ticket, does the ticket require me to follow the new policy when I travel in Economy Class?

Customers without Elite status, redeeming OnePass miles for travel in Economy Class will be charged checked-bag fees. Customers redeeming OnePass miles for First Class travel will be exempt from the checked-bag fees.

If I upgrade to First Class on an economy ticket, will I be charged the bag service fee?

Whether you pay a service fee depends on what your status was at the time you dropped off your bags. If at the time you checked in your bags you are in the Economy cabin for seating, then you would be charged a service fee for checking a bag. If you change from Economy to First Class status before you drop off your bags, then you do not pay the service fee. There is no refund for a service fee paid if you check your bags in while still holding the status of Economy and then later upgrading to First Class.

How will this affect the carry-on policy?

The policy for checked bags does not impact the carry-on policy and customers are still allowed one bag and one personal item.

What if I am connecting onto a codeshare or Star Alliance partner?

When a customer travels on a codeshare flight or on an aircraft operated by a Star Alliance member airline, then the policy regarding checked bags follows the rules determined by the originating operating carrier.

How do Continental Airlines Chase credit and debit cardmembers qualify for the baggage fee waiver?

The applicable checked-bag fee will be automatically waived if the primary cardmember's OnePass account number is listed in their reservation. In the event that it is not automatically waived, the primary cardmember should present their active Continental Airlines Chase credit or debit card to an agent. Fees will be waived only at the time of travel; no refunds or credits will be issued after travel has been completed.

Customers traveling with the primary cardmember will also get their applicable baggage fees waived if they are listed in the same reservation and check in at the same time. This exemption will not apply to group reservations including 10 or more customers.

New Continental Airlines Chase primary credit and debit card applicants will be eligible for the checked-bag fee waiver benefit after they receive their card.