 Home > Travel Information > Baggage Information > Checked Baggage Fees
Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches (157 cm) 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. 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.
Certain customers are exempt from paying the fees and will be allowed to check bags free of charge (bags must meet weight and size restrictions). These customers include:
The following customers will not be charged service fees to check a first or second bag:
- Silver Elite members*
- Platinum and Gold Elite customers*
- First 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 service fee will not apply to customers seated in First or BusinessFirst, OnePass Elite members, Presidential Plus primary credit cardmembers, customers traveling on full-fare economy (Y) class tickets, active military personnel or any customer traveling to/from Brazil.
*May check two bags at no charge as long as each bag is a maximum 70 lbs (32 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height). For tickets purchased on or after October 19, 2009 for travel commencing October 27, 2009, Gold and Platinum Onepass Elite members will be allowed to check 3 bags at no charge as long as each bag is a maximum of 70 lbs (32 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) as measured above. Silver Onepass Elite members may check 2 bags at no charge as long as each bag is a maximum of 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157) as measured above.
** May check three bags at no charge as long as each bag is a maximum 70 lbs (32 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height). For tickets purchased on or after October 19, 2009 for travel commencing October 27, 2009, First class customers may check 2 bags at no charge as long as each bag is a maximum of 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157cm ) as measured above. Ticket must reflect confirmed seat for segment in which customer is checking in.
+ May check three military style duffel bags at no charge as long as each bag is a maximum 70 lbs (32 kg) and 115 linear inches (292 cm) (total length + width + height). May check three non-military style bags at no charge as long as each bag is a maximum 70 lbs (32 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height).
++May check three bags at no charge as long as each bag is a maximum 70 lbs (32 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
Checked Baggage Allowance Guidelines
If your baggage does not meet the requirements listed below, please review the Excess Baggage policy.
Fees apply for certain economy fares between the destinations for tickets purchased on or after Oct. 2, 2009 for travel on or after Nov. 1, 2009.
| Travel To |
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| United States, Canada, Puerto Rico,
U.S. Virgin Islands (Except Hawaii) | Hawaii | Mexico, Central America and Caribbean | South America (Except Brazil) | Brazil | Europe | For flights within the Asia-Pacific region (Except Japan) | Cape Air flights between Guam, Saipan and Rota | Japan |
|---|
| Travel From | | Online | Airport | Online | Airport | Online | Airport | Online | Airport | Online | Airport | Online | Airport | Online | Airport | Online | Airport | Online | Airport |
|---|
United States, Canada, Puerto Rico,
U.S. Virgin Islands (Except Hawaii) | 1st Bag | $18* | $20 | $18* | $20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| 2nd Bag | $27* | $30 | $27* | $30 | $27** | $30 | $27** | $30 | 0 | 0 | $45 | $50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Hawaii | 1st Bag | $18* | $20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| 2nd Bag | $27* | $30 | 0 | 0 | $27** | $30 | $27** | $30 | 0 | 0 | $45 | $50 | $27+ | $30+ | $27+ | $30+ | $27++ | $30++ |
|---|
| Mexico, Central America and Caribbean | 1st Bag | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| 2nd Bag | $27** | $30 | $27 | $30 | $27** | $30 | $27** | $30 | 0 | 0 | $45** | $50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| South America (Except Brazil) | 1st Bag | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| 2nd Bag | $27* | $30 | $27 | $30 | $27 | $30 | $27** | $30 | 0 | 0 | $45** | $50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Brazil | 1st Bag | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| 2nd Bag | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Europe | 1st Bag | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| 2nd Bag | $45 | $50 | $45 | $50 | $45** | $50 | $45** | $50 | 0 | 0 | $45 | $50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| For flights within the Asia-Pacific region (Except Japan) | 1st Bag | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| 2nd Bag | 0 | 0 | $27+ | $30+ | $45** | $50 | $45** | $50 | 0 | 0 | $45 | $50 | $27+ | $30+ | $27+ | $30+ | $27++ | $30++ |
|---|
| Cape Air flights between Guam, Saipan and Rota | 1st Bag | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| 2nd Bag | 0 | 0 | $27+ | $30+ | $45** | $50 | $45** | $50 | 0 | 0 | $45 | $50 | $27+ | $30+ | $9+ | $10+ | $27++ | $30++ |
|---|
* Customers who purchased tickets on or after July 21, 2009 for travel on or after Aug. 19, 2009 will be charged $15 for their first checked bag and $25 for their second checked bag when prepaying at continental.com.
** 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?
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
- 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.
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