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Excess Baggage

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Continental realizes that at times it may be necessary to travel with an item that exceeds the size or weight limitations or is in excess of the baggage allowance. Additional charges apply to this type of baggage.

How a bag is measured by length, width and height.

Any piece over the baggage allowance or baggage that exceeds the size and weight limitations will be subject to additional charges. Excess baggage is transported on a space-available basis and will be carried subject to load capacities of the aircraft. Other restrictions may apply.

For areas not listed below, contact Continental Reservations to obtain specific rates based on number pieces and size of bags.

Baggage in excess of 100 pounds (45 kilograms) or 115 linear inches (292 cm)(total length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage. Continental will not accept more than 4 bags per customer that are overweight (over 50 pounds), oversize (over 62 linear inches) or a combination of overweight and oversize.

Assistive devices, including electric wheelchairs over 100 pounds (45kilograms), will continue to be accepted at no charge.

How a Bag is Measured

A bag will be weighed and measured to ensure that it meets the dimensional requirements for shipping. Baggage is measured by length + width + height. The dimensions of each measurement are added together to compose the total number of linear inches/ centimeters. The bag's thickest or widest part of the length, width and height will be measured.

U.S. Military Baggage Allowance

Active U.S. Military and their accompanying dependents on personal travel are allowed:

  • 3 bags up to 70 lbs each with a maximum dimension of 62 linear inches without excess or overweight charges being assessed.

U.S. Military Personnel on orders and U.S. Military Personnel /dependents on orders for relocation are allowed:

  • 4 bags up to 70 lbs each in Economy and 5 bags up to 70 lbs each in First/Business with a maximum dimension of 115 linear inches without excess, overweight, or oversize charges being assessed.

Continental's Excess Baggage Rates for Travel to/from Canada, Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Central and South America and 50 U.S.

Baggage connecting to other airlines will also be subject to the connecting airline's excess charges and/or oversize, overweight charges in addition to Continental Airlines charges.

All charges are calculated on a one-way basis and are collected at the airport ticket counter.

These charges cannot be waived.

These rates only apply during non-embargo periods.

Additional Baggage

Customers who travel with checked baggage in excess of the baggage allowance will be charged $100.00 per piece for travel within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, checked baggage in excess of the baggage allowance will be charged $150.00.

Additional, overweight and oversize charges are accumulative per piece.

Note: For travel between U.S. and Brazil, Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands, no more than three additional pieces will be accepted

Overweight Baggage

The following customers are allowed baggage with a weight not to exceed 70 lbs.:

  • Customers ticketed and confirmed in BusinessFirst, First Class, Latin Business, or Business Class at time of baggage check-in
  • Star Gold members, including Continental Platinum and Gold Elite members
  • Active U.S. military personnel, whether or not or military orders
  • U.S. military dependents travelling with military personnel, and without military personnel when on military business.
  • All customers travelling to and from Brazil

All customers travelling within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with checked baggage over 50 lbs (23 kg) and not exceeding 70 lbs (32 kg) will be charged at the rate of $100.00 per piece.  For bags exceeding 70lbs (32 kg), but less than 100lbs (45 kg) will be $200.00 per piece.

Customers travelling to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America(except Brazil) with checked baggage over 50 lbs. (23 kg), but not exceeding 70 lbs. (32 kg) will be charged at the rate of $200.00 per piece. For bags exceeding 70 lbs. (32 kg), but less than 100 lbs. (45 kg), the rate charged will be $400.00 per piece. Brazil is subject to charges for baggage exceeding 70 lbs. (32 kg).

These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or oversized baggage. Baggage weighing 100 lbs (45 kg) will not be accepted as checked baggage.

Note: Baggage checked to Lima, Peru is limited to 70 lbs. (32 kg) per peice.

Oversized Baggage

  • Customers who travel with checked baggage exceeding 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height) will be charged at the rate of $100.00 per piece for travel within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Customers to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America with oversize baggage will be charged at the rate of $200.00 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.

Note: All excess baggage to Ecuador is subject to government taxation.

Note: Baggage allowances for Continental's codeshare partners or ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. dba Continental Express may be different. If your itinerary includes any of these carriers, please contact a Continental representative for additional information.

Continental's Excess Baggage Rates For Travel To/From Transatlantic and Transpacific Destinations From USA/Canada

These charges cannot be waived

Additional Baggage

Checked baggage in excess of the baggage allowance will be charged as follows:

  • $200 per piece
  • Additional, overweight and oversize charges are accumulative per piece.

Overweight Baggage

The following customers are allowed baggage with a weight not to exceed 70 lbs.:

  • Star Gold members, including Continental Platinum and Gold Elite members
  • Customers ticketed and confirmed in BusinessFirst, First Class, Latin Business, or Business Class at time of baggage check-in
  • Active U.S. military personnel, whether or not or military orders
  • U.S. military dependents travelling with military personnel, and without military personnel when on military business.
  • All customers travelling to and from Brazil

All other customers with checked baggage over 50 lbs (23 kg) and not exceeding 70 lbs (32 kg) will be charged at the rate of $200.00 per piece. For bags exceeding 70 lbs. (32 kg), but less than 100 lbs. (45 kg), the rate charged will be $400.00 per piece.

Baggage weighing 100 lbs (45 kg) or more will not be accepted as checked baggage. Additional, overweight and oversize charges are accumulative per piece.

Note: Baggage checked to the following cities cannot exceed 70 lbs. (32 kg):

Athens, Greece
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Glasgow, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom
Brussels, Belgium

Oversized Baggage

  • Checked baggage exceeding 62 linear inches (157 cm) - 115 linear inches (292cm) (total length + width + height) will be charged at the rate of $200.00 per piece.
  • Baggage measuring more than 115 in (292 cm) (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage.
  • Additional, overweight and oversize charges are accumulative per piece
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