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$15 Fee for First Checked Bag
Continental has implemented a $15 fee for a customer's first checked bag when traveling on Economy fare tickets purchased on or after Sept. 6, 2008 for travel on or after Oct. 7, 2008 within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
The service fee will not apply to customers seated in First or BusinessFirst, OnePass Elite members, customers traveling on full-fare economy (Y) class tickets, or active military personnel.
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.
There is no charge for wheelchairs or other assistive devices.
One car seat or stroller may be checked free of charge. If checking both a car seat and a stroller, the 1st checked bag fee applies to one item. To learn more, see our list of FAQs below.
Certain customers are exempt from paying the fee and will be allowed to check first bags free of charge (bags must meet weight and size restrictions). These customers include:
- OnePass Elite members
- First Class and BusinessFirst customers
- Continental Airlines Chase primary credit and debit cardmembers
- Any customer traveling on full fare economy class (Y) ticket
- Active U.S. military personnel
$25 Fee for Second Checked Bag
Continental has implemented a $25 fee for customers checking a second bag when traveling on Economy fare tickets purchased on or after April 5, 2008 for travel within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
The $25 fee also applies when traveling on Economy fare tickets purchased on or after May 8, 2008 between Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America* (excluding Brazil) and the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
The service fee will not apply to customers seated in First or BusinessFirst, OnePass Elite members, customers traveling on full-fare economy (Y) class tickets, active military personnel or any customer traveling to/from Brazil.
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.
There is no charge for wheelchairs or other assistive devices.
One car seat or stroller may be checked free of charge. If checking both a car seat and stroller along with a bag, the 1st checked bag fee applies to one item and the 2nd bag fee applies to one item.
To learn more, see our list of FAQs below.
Certain customers are exempt from paying the fee and will be allowed to check second bags free of charge (bags must meet weight and size restrictions). These customers include:
- OnePass Elite members
- First Class and BusinessFirst customers
- Continental Airlines Presidential PlusSM primary cardmembers
- Any customer traveling on full fare economy class (Y) ticket
- Active U.S. military personnel
FAQs — New fees for checked bags
When did the first bag policy take effect?
The first bag fee will be charged for tickets purchased on or after Sept. 6, 2008 for travel within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada on or after Oct. 7, 2008.
When did the second bag policy take effect?
For customers traveling within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada, the service fee applies to customers traveling on or after May 5, 2008.
The fee for travel between Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America (excluding Brazil) and the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada will apply to tickets purchased on or after May 8, 2008, for travel commencing on or after May 19, 2008.
Does the policy apply to international travel?
The second bag policy applies to flights within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada and for flights between the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada and Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America (excluding Brazil).
An itinerary such as Austin to Houston and connecting to London, or Beijing to New York/Newark and connecting to Mexico City will not be subject to the new fee.
The first bag policy does not apply to international travel.
Who is exempt from the baggage fees?
The following customers will not be charged service fees to check a first or second bag:
- OnePass Elite members
- Continental Airlines Chase primary cardmembers get their first checked-bag fees automatically waived
- Continental Airlines Presidential Plus primary cardmembers get their first and second checked-bag fees automatically waived
- Any customer traveling on full fare economy class (Y) tickets
- Active U.S. military personnel
Are the checked bag charges per passenger?
Yes. For example, a family of four traveling on the same reservation will be charged $15 for each of their first bags checked, one each per passenger. Each second bag per passenger would be assessed the $25 fee.
Do the new check 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. A roundtrip flight with one checked bag would cost a total of $30 to check a second bag the total fee would be $80. 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 ($15) and second bag ($25) 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 at continental.com.
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 not be charged until you arrive at the airport and check your bags at an airport ticket counter kiosk.
If I obtain my ticket by redeeming OnePass miles, 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 service 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 SkyTeam Alliance partner?
When a customer travels on a codeshare flight or on an aircraft operated by a SkyTeam Alliance partner, 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 baggage 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 baggage fee waiver benefit after they receive their card.
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