Unless you elite with Emirates airline – the folks based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates who charge for checked bags and quite a bit of which way too many travelers remain clueless. Most economy class tickets come with one free piece of checked luggage up to 23kg, but additional bags or overweight/oversized baggage will be charged.
Excess baggage is charged per kilogram, which increases significantly when bags exceed 32kg. For travelers who overpack in the annual tradition, it can feel a shock to check your bags and realize how many thousands of dollars that is.
Passengers should refer to Emirates baggage allowance for the particular ticket and route they are traveling on, as best as possible stay within this free limit to avoid extra unforeseen costs.
Emirates Carry-on Allowance
The Emirates airline permits its passengers to bring one free cabin bag. You are allowed to carry with you a SMALL size suitcase or backpack. Your carry-on must be able to fit in the overhead compartment or underneath your seat. Limits of size and weight will never be overdone. EconomyClass passengers may carry 1 piece with a maximum size of 56x45x25 centimeters.
Slated to tip the scales at less than 7kg Higher carry-on boundaries for first and business-class travelers Everything that is important such as medicine, laptop and a jacket must be able to fit into the carry-on. Each of these takes time (time spent standing around at baggage claim after a flight, more). There is no difficulty in boarding and flight by staying within the size & weight restrictions for free carry bags.
Read More: American Airlines carry-on baggage size
Emirates Per-Piece Checked Baggage Anomalies
Your baggage allowance depends on where your journey begins. If flying from the US on another airline for the first leg, follow their luggage rules. Starts in Africa with an Economy Special ticket bought before May 11, 2020? You get two bags up to 23kg each. Journey starts in the Americas, Asia, Australia or New Zealand with a Dubai stopover of 24+ hours? Expect the weight allowance not per-bag. Emirates Skywards members may receive more bags in some cases – contact them to learn about upgraded baggage benefits depending on your itinerary and frequent flyer status.
Emirates Checked Baggage Allowance
Emirates flight baggage allowances depend on class of ticket and route. For routes using the ‘weight concept’, Economy fares get 20kg (Special), 25kg (Saver), Flex 30kg, Flex Plus 35kg checked bags free. Business enjoys 40kg, First 50kg. Weight can be spread across bags under 32kg each and total dimensions less than 300cm. Domestic US/Europe and South America flights follow a ‘piece concept’, where Economy gets 1 bag at 23kg, Flex/Plus 2 bags at 23kg each, and Business/First receive 2 bags up to 32kg each.
Total bag dimensions cannot exceed 150cm, or fees apply for larger oversized bags. Additional baggage can be purchased for a fee, varying by route and fare. For example, between Australia and Africa, each kg over the free allowance would cost USD50, while an extra piece on a ‘piece concept’ flight would cost USD250.
Emirates Checked Baggage for Children
Emirates allows an additional 10kg checked bag free for infant travel on most routes excluding to/from the Americas and Africa. On those routes, flyers with infants receive one smaller 5kg cabin bag free up to 55x38x20cm instead of extra checked luggage.
All other passengers are subject to the normal baggage allowances depending on class of service and flight route – either a weight limit system or piece concept varying by region. Those traveling with young children only receive the extra infant bag courtesy on most flights, but a courtesy cabin bag instead on routes to/from Americas and Africa destinations.
Emirates Excess Baggage Policies
- Emirates offers paid options to increase checked baggage allowances beyond standard limits.
- Fees vary by route and class of travel purchased.
- Additional baggage is charged per kg over the included allowance or per extra bag piece.
- Any individual luggage item cannot exceed dimensions of 300cm total.
- If larger than 300cm, item must be shipped separately.
- Emirates cargo/freight as oversized luggage.
- Third party shipping companies instead of transporting on commercial passenger flight.
- No baggage piece over 300cm can be checked into the cargo hold of passenger aircraft regardless of fees paid.
Additional/Excess Baggage Fees
If individuals have any more of them needing to put in your luggage than allow it will cost excess baggage charges for each one on Emirates flight. Fees can vary widely, according to the passenger’s class of travel and itinerary flown among other things: how much above the limit they are. A single extra bag, in general for economy class should be from $100-150 and if 5-10 kg overweight add another $50-100.
Business and first class flyers tend to see lower per kg rates but higher flat fees for each additional piece. First and business class riders may pay $250-300 for one extra bag but $50-100/kg after their weight limit. Proper planning and weighing luggage ahead of time can help flyers avoid unexpected excess baggage costs.
Exclusions and Waivers
All companies have certain exclusions and waivers in their policies. Exclusions are things that are not covered. Waivers release the company from responsibility. For example, an insurance policy may exclude acts of war or waive liability for theft. A hotel may exclude pets or waive damages from storms. Even Emirates airline has some exclusions and waivers for passengers. Their contract will not cover lost bags if tags are missing or bags are overweight.
They waive delays caused by weather or mechanical issues. Read all exclusions and waivers carefully. Make sure to understand what is and isn’t covered before traveling. Ask questions if any part of the policy is unclear. Knowing the limitations protects travelers from unwanted surprises down the road.
Can I Prepay for Baggage?
Emirates airline allows passengers to prepay for checked baggage before their flight. This can help avoid lines and save money. Travelers can prepay for extra bags when they book their ticket online. They just need to select any extra baggage and pay in advance. Prepaid bags are cheaper than buying at check-in. On the day of travel, those bags are already paid for.
Passengers do not have to wait in line to pay fees at the airport. They can simply drop off bags and continue check-in. Prepaying removes stress and is convenient. It ensures there are no delays from baggage payment during a busy time. The bags are also pre-reserved, which is helpful for carrying more luggage on some routes.
Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred – $120 annual airline fee credit includes bags and more. Must redeem through Ultimate Rewards.
Capital One Venture Rewards – Earn 2x miles on travel. Reimburse up to $125 back for checked bag fees each year.
American Express Platinum – Up to $200 credit yearly for airline incidental fees like bags, seat upgrades, etc.
Citibank Premier/Prestige – Annual $100 airline fee credit can cover bags. Prestige offers up to $250.
Discover it Miles – Annual $50 statement credit towards bags. 2x miles on gas, restaurants, rides.
Wells Fargo Propel – No annual fee. Earn 3x points on travel, dining, gas, streaming services.
Bank of America Travel Rewards – $100 global entry/TSA credit + earn 2.625% back in categories.
FAQ’s
What is the free baggage allowance on most Emirates economy tickets?
One piece of checked luggage up to 23kg.
How much is the fee for a second checked bag?
Fees vary but typically start around $50-70 per bag.
Is there a weight limit on checked bags before extra fees apply?
Yes, the standard limit is 32kg – bags over this weight are charged by the kilogram.
Do baggage fees depend on the route or destination?
Potentially, yes – fees can be higher on certain routes like to Australia or North America.
How can travelers check Emirates’ baggage policy for their specific itinerary?
You can check their booking on emirates.com or contact Emirates directly before traveling
Conclusion
Emirates airline charges several fees related to checked baggage that travelers need to be aware of prior to packing for their journey. While most economy tickets allow one bag up to 23kg for free, weight and piece restrictions can easily be exceeded without understanding the airline’s policies. Oversizing or overweight bags, and extra pieces each come with sometimes substantial fees. Staying within the free limits can save travelers significant expenses, especially on longer international routes.
It is important for passengers to carefully research the exact baggage rules for their tickets, as fees and allowances may differ by class of service, destination, or travel dates. Checking this beforehand allows optimal packing within guidelines to avoid unpleasant surprises down the line. Overall, Emirates is fairly typical among global carriers in implementing bag fees, but lack of knowledge on restrictions could unnecessarily cost travelers substantial sums. Taking the time to review baggage policies upfront promotes hassle-free travel by avoiding excess fees.
