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Southwest Airlines Elite Status [2021 Ultimate Guide]

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image credit: southwest.com

Southwest may have started as a regional carrier back in the 60s, but today it’s the largest low-cost carrier in the world. It flies primarily in the US serving 111 destinations, but also has service to 10 other countries including destinations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

The carrier appeals to budget-minded leisure and business travelers, and elite status will appeal mostly to the carrier’s frequent travelers who want to take advantage of available benefits and point earning bonuses. 

Because the perks of status with Southwest are not as robust as those offered by other carriers, you need to determine if you fly enough to achieve elite status and if obtaining that status is worth being loyal to Southwest.

There may be another airline that is a better fit for your travel plans depending on where you are based and where you fly. The domestic legacy carriers have better benefits, though it takes more to achieve elite status with them because Southwest has one of the lowest entry points for status seekers.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Loyalty Program

Like other major airlines, Southwest has a frequent flyer program called Rapid Rewards. It works somewhat differently than other programs, but essentially you earn points toward award travel by flying just like other airlines reward you with miles, and you redeem your points for award flights.

Unlike other airlines though, Southwest doesn’t limit award seats on flights and there are no blackout dates, so as long as there are open seats on a flight you can book award travel on it. Also, points don’t expire as they do with many other airlines, so even if you are not a frequent Southwest flyer, you should sign up for its Rapid Rewards program when traveling on the airline.

Southwest points are awarded based on the price of the ticket and the type of fare booked. You’ll get six points per dollar spent on its lowest Wanna Get Away fares. Anytime fares earn 10 points per dollar, and Business Select tickets earn 12 points per dollar. 

The number of points needed for an award ticket on Southwest vary by destination, demand, fare class and other factors as the amount of points that you need to redeem is tied to the cash price of the ticket.

Southwest elite status is also different from other airlines which have multiple elite status tiers. The airline only has two elite tiers: A-List and A-List Preferred.

How to Get Elite Status

You qualify for A-list and A-List Preferred elite status by flying a particular number of flights or a set number of miles in a calendar year. You earn status the year that you qualify, and you get to keep it the next year as well.

The only other way to help you achieve A-List status on Southwest is by earning elite status points with one of the airline’s co-branded credit cards issued by Chase. 

The Rapid Rewards Premier and Priority personal cards, which carry a $99 and $149 annual fee respectively, let you earn 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward Southwest elite status for every $10,000 spent, up to $100,000 for a total of 15,000 possible points per year. The Premier and Performance business cards also offer the same ability to earn tier qualifying points toward elite status. They carry a $99 and $199 fee respectively.

Status March Promotion

Southwest is also currently running a status match promotion if you have elite status with another domestic airline program. To get the match, enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program if you are not already a member, and register for the match promo on this page before 12/31/21. You will be prompted to send the airline an email with proof of your status with another airline frequent flyer program.

If you fly three roundtrips within 90 days of getting approved, Southwest will extend your A-List status for an extra 12 months. The status match process takes about 12 business days, and you will only get elite benefits on flights booked after you are approved. If you are a current A-List member whose status is expiring, you are not eligible for the match.

Southwest Airlines A-List

This is the first tier of elite status with the airline. To achieve it you must fly 25 one-way revenue flights or fly 35,000 miles in a calendar year. That translates to about one round-trip flight per month if you are going by flight segments. Only segments from the origin city to the destination count, not the legs of a connecting flight. All miles flown count.

You keep your status for the year you earned it and the following year. To maintain status and benefits you need to re-qualify each subsequent calendar year. If you earn more points than you need for A-List, you are elevated to the next and highest tier.

Southwest Airlines A-List Preferred

This is the top tier of the airline’s elite status program. You have to fly 50 one-way flights or 70,000 miles in a calendar year to achieve this level. You also get the status and benefits in the year that you qualify and the following year.

This status level earns you a 100% point bonus, so you get double the points you would have earned without status. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to get a Southwest Companion Pass, a highly coveted benefit that allows you to take a spouse or companion for just the cost of taxes and fees. 

Other airlines may offer a single companion pass with a credit card sign-up or companion pass certificates based on status, but the Southwest pass let’s you take someone on any flight including award flights.

Companion Pass

If you earn 125,000 points in a single year or fly 100 one-way trips, you will earn a Companion Pass. Like elite status, It is good the year it is earned as well as the following year. All points earned by using any Southwest co-branded credit card to make purchases count toward this benefit, and points earned through partner promotions also count. The points needed for this benefit do not need to be elite qualifying points.

To quickly boost your points balance to get a Companion Pass, you can apply for one or even two of the airline’s credit cards that offer a sign-up bonus. All three personal credit cards including the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier and the premium Priority card offer a 40,000-point bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first three months after opening the card.

With Southwest Business credit cards you can earn up to 100,000 points as part of the sign-up bonus. You get 70,000 points after spending $5,000 for purchases on the card in the first three months, but you can also get an additional 30,000 points if you spend a total of $25,000 on the card in the first six months.

You can easily earn a Companion Pass if you successfully apply for a personal and business card and meet the minimum spend on each in the allotted time. If you spend the full amount needed to reach the top sign-up bonus on the business card (100,000 points), and add that to the welcome bonus on the personal card (40,000 points), that will give you 140,000 bonus points, which is more than enough to obtain the Companion Pass.

Do Sign-Up Bonus Points Count Toward Elite Status?

Sign-up bonus points will not get you elite status though, unlike some other co-branded airline cards that offer some level of status as part of the welcome package. You still have to fly on Southwest and/or earn elite qualifying points through spend on one of its co-branded cards, and that option is limited to 15,000 points per card, so at least 10,000 more are needed by flying to reach A-list status if you have only one Southwest card.

Bonus points earned by flying with status (25% with A-List status and 100% with A-List Preferred status) will count toward reaching a higher elite status and will also count toward the Companion Pass, so if you do fly the airline regularly and can achieve status, that will help you reach the number of points needed to secure a pass for your companion to fly free with you.

What are the Benefits and Perks

One of the big perks that other airlines offer elite members is the opportunity to upgrade to first class. But Southwest doesn’t offer first class on its planes as most flights are domestic, so this is not part of the A-List program. Likewise, there are no lounge benefits with this status, which is another big perk for elites in other airline programs.

Also, other airlines that charge for extra baggage offer perks like a free second checked bag. But Southwest includes two checked pieces of luggage for each passenger, so that is also not an incentive in its loyalty program.

Priority Check-in and Security Lane

What you do get is Fly By priority check-in and security lane access to get you through that queue faster. You’ll also get priority boarding for yourself and everyone on your reservation. Boarding passes can be issued 36 hours before the flight, but you still need to check-in online 24 hours prior to your flight to get your boarding pass. There’s also a dedicated phone line for A-list members.

Also, If you’re trying to get on an earlier flight, if you have A-List status you can get same-day standby if available. There are no extra airline fees to make this change, but you do have to pay any associated fees and taxes. If you change the date of the flight, you have to pay the difference in fares as well.

A-List status also helps you earn rewards faster, as you get a 25% bonus on points earned, which lets you accumulate enough points the Companion Pass sooner. If you have A-List Preferred status you earn a 100% point bonus, which is double the points per flight. This is the most valuable benefit of A-List status for many.

Obtaining Elite Status by Flying and Spending

If you fly between US cities frequently for work, then you should be able to achieve elite status with Southwest. You only need to fly 25 one-way flights to get A-List status, so that’s an average of one round-trip flight a month, which is not likely for a vacation traveler, but definitely manageable for a business traveler that lives in a city that Southwest serves and travels to the carrier’s destinations. A-List Preferred takes twice as many flights, so you would need to fly about twice a month to get to this level.

The earlier in the year that you qualify for elite status or the Companion Pass, the more valuable the benefit is because you’ll get to use those perks for the remainder of that year you qualify and the following year. If you can achieve either elite status or earn the Companion Pass in the first quarter for example, you will retain it for nearly two years.

Like elite status, you need to re-qualify for the Companion Pass each calendar year after it expires. Keep in mind that the companion must be booked on the same flight, and if the main passenger has elite status not all of the benefits are available to the companion. Early boarding is available for both passengers because they are booked on a single reservation, but your companion won’t get priority check-in and security lane access if you are an A-List elite and they won’t get free wi-fi if you are an A-List Preferred member.

Southwest Credit Cards

image credit: chase.com/southwest/

As previously noted, Southwest credit cards have limitations on how many qualifying tier points can be awarded to achieve elite status. How much you plan to spend on the card to achieve tier points is another consideration in whether elite status is an achievable goal.

All personal SW credit cards offer bonus spending categories where you can earn 3x per dollar on dining the first year you have the card and 2x on Southwest purchases as long as you hold the card. You earn one point per dollar for all other purchases.

Business cards earn 3x per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases and 2x on every dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising, as well as internet, cable and phone services. But while those bonus points will count toward the Companion Pass if that is your goal, they do not count as elite qualifying points so they will not help you earn elite status.

Is it Worth It?

If you are working toward getting the Companion Pass by flying, you will get elite status on the way and that will help you achieve your goal because the earning bonus on flight purchases will help you accumulate more points. 

Because all the points you earn through credit card spending don’t count toward elite status though, you need to do the math to determine if elite status is a realistic goal based on your flying and spending patterns if you have a Southwest credit card or plan to get one, as well as tabulating the points you will earn with the fare class you usually book.

If Southwest is your carrier of choice and you fly on it enough for personal and/or business travel, or you can make up the elite qualifying points needed for status with a co-branded card, then it’s worth shooting for. But if you can find comparable fares on another carrier and you fly enough to get elite status with that airline, then those perks are likely more beneficial as Southwest has limited benefits.

If you already have elite status with another carrier though, it’s a no-brainer to match it with Southwest for the perks even if you don’t fly on the airline much. Because they offer discounted fares that are lower than many other domestic carriers, you may find yourself booking a flight in the future so it’s a good idea to secure status if you qualify.

United Airlines Partners Guide [2021 Edition]

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It’s not uncommon for large airlines to partner with corporations including but not limited to other airlines, hotel networks, rental car companies, and even cruises. Having business partners like this allows airlines and other companies to streamline their booking processes and share customers. These agreements are mutually beneficial for partners in a network and they benefit customers too. By taking advantage of airline alliances, customers can typically book tickets more quickly and easily—and save money—when they fly within a network. 

There are many ways to earn points through United Airlines’ frequent flyer program, MileagePlus, when you often find yourself on United planes, but why limit yourself to one airline? United is partnered with many airlines. In fact, United is a member of the Star Alliance network and has several partners outside of this for a grand total of over 35 partners. Learn more about how to earn MileagePlus points when flying with other airlines, book award tickets with partner airlines using miles you’ve earned with United, and more here.

United Airlines’ Star Alliance Network

As a member of the Star Alliance network, the largest global airline network in the world, United is partnered with some industry giants. As of 2021, there are 26 members of Star Alliance. These are:

  • Aegean (Greece)
  • Air Canada
  • Air China
  • Air India
  • Air New Zealand
  • All Nippon Airways (Japan)
  • Asiana Airlines (South Korea)
  • Austrian Airlines
  • Avianca (Colombia)
  • Brussels Airlines (Belgium)
  • Copa Airlines (Panama)
  • Croatia Airlines
  • Egyptair
  • Ethiopian
  • Eva Air (Taiwan)
  • LOT Polish Airlines
  • Lufthansa (Germany)
  • SAS (Denmark-Norway-Sweden)
  • Shenzhen Airlines (China)
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • SWISS International
  • Air Portugal
  • Thai
  • Turkish Airlines

As you can see, these airlines represent countries across the globe. Frequent United flyers should definitely brush up on this list and get to know the airlines on here to save major cash.

So what does it mean for United Airlines to be a part of this network? Essentially, this partnership makes it possible for Star Alliance passengers to earn miles on any flight they take with a participating airline. So if you take a flight through Singapore Airlines, for example, you can earn miles for your MileagePlus account with United.

And this miles exchange goes both ways. You can also use United miles to book award flights with any Star Alliance airline, whether you are a member of that individual airline or not. However, the more Star Alliance airlines you are a member of, the more opportunities you will have to transfer points to and from your different accounts for ultimate savings potential. Alternatively, you can just use your MileagePlus miles as you normally would when booking United tickets. More on how to use United award miles later.

But beyond helping you save money, this network of airlines can also save travelers time. Rather than searching various separate airlines every time you want to fly somewhere new, simply search for a flight right through Star Alliance. 

This will allow you to input your desired itinerary and see all available airlines within the Star Alliance network that can complete your trip. If more than one airline is required to complete a trip, the search results will automatically populate with these options as well. Using this tool is especially helpful when booking long flights with complex itineraries (i.e. multiple stopovers, class changes, etc.). You can book United flights this way too.

H2. How to Become a Star Alliance Member

To become a member of the Star Alliance, you just need to become a member of at least one of the participating airlines in the network. In this case, you’ll need to join the United Airlines MileagePlus program if you haven’t already.

Star Alliance also has its own membership program to reward loyal flyers with perks like complimentary checked baggage, seat upgrades, and pre-boarding food and beverage All Elite Star Alliance members enjoy priority check-in and baggage handling, free lounge access at over 1,000 partner airline airport locations, and much more. See a complete list of perks for every status level here. 

All MileagePlus members are automatically Star Alliance members. To become an elite Star Alliance member, you need to reach elite status with United Airlines. Premier Silver MileagePlus members are automatically granted Star Alliance Silver status. Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, and Global Services members are automatically granted Star Alliance Gold status. So when you’re earning MileagePlus miles, you’re really earning points for two loyalty accounts.

Other Worldwide Partners

Although the Star Alliance network is one of the most extensive airline networks in the world, United Airlines’ partner program doesn’t stop there. Beyond the Star Alliance, United partners with the following worldwide airlines:

  • Aer Lingus (Ireland)
  • Azul (Brazil)
  • Edelweiss Air (Switzerland)
  • Olympic Air (Greece)
  • Aeromar (Mexico)
  • Boutique Air (U.S.)
  • Eurowings (Germany)
  • Silver Airways (U.S.)
  • Air Dolomoti (Italy)
  • Cape Air (U.S./Caribbean)
  • Hawaiian Airlines (U.S./Hawaii)
  • Vistara (India)

Some of these are low-cost or budget carriers and others are luxury carriers; some offer international flights and others feature short commuter flights. Between these airlines and those in the Star Alliance, United partners with over 30 countries.

You can also earn MileagePlus points when you fly with any of these airlines and can use United miles to book award flights. 

Earning Premier Qualifying Credit With United Partners

MileagePlus members are eligible to receive premier qualifying credit on all flights flown on or after January 1, 2020, through United, United Express, and most United partner airlines (and a few other partner airlines not yet mentioned). 

Premier qualifying points determine your MileagePlus status level. Whether you have already reached Premier status with MileagePlus or are still working your way up through the ranks, points you earn taking flights with partner airlines can help you reach the next award tier with MileagePlus.

These partners are divided into two categories: preferred partners and MileagePlus partners.

When you fly with a United preferred partner, you will earn slightly more premier qualifying points (PQP) than when you fly with a United MileagePlus partner. 

As of 2021, the preferred partner airlines are:

  • Air Canada
  • Air China
  • Air Dolomiti
  • Air New Zealand
  • All Nippon Airways
  • Austrian Airlines
  • Avianca
  • Azul Brazilian Airlines
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Copa Airlines
  • Edelweiss
  • Eurowings
  • Lufthansa
  • SWISS International Airlines

The MileagePlus partner airlines are:

  • Aegean Airlines
  • Air India
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Croatia Airlines
  • EgyptAir
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • EVA Air
  • Juneyao Air
  • LOT Polish Airlines
  • Olympic Air
  • SAS
  • Shenzhen Airlines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • TAP Air Portugal
  • Thai Airways International
  • Turkish Airlines

Miles caps for these partner flights are as follows:


Preferred PQPMileagePlus PQP
First/Business class1,5001,000
Economy/Premium Economy750500

All flights taken on eligible partner airlines, preferred or MileagePlus, qualify as premier qualifying flights in your United account. This will bring you closer to your Premier 1K status, the most elite tier. For reference, Premier Silver requires 3,500 PQP and Premier 1K requires 15,000 PQP.

Many people are able to reach MileagePlus elite status or maintain elite status faster or more easily by flying with both United and its partners (prior to these point caps, flying with United partners exclusively sometimes earned more points). 

Just remember that not all flight segments qualify for points. For example, certain airline partners do not award MileagePlus miles to passengers with economy tickets and sometimes short flights are not eligible either.

For additional information about what flights are eligible, the tickets with the most earning potential, and more, visit this page.

United Partner Airlines That Are Not Eligible for PQP

Airlines that partner with United but are not participating in this premier qualifying credit program are:

  • Aer Lingus
  • Aeromar
  • Boutique Air
  • Cape Air
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Vistara
  • Silver Airways

These airlines still partner with United to make booking more smooth for travelers, but you won’t earn MileagePlus points when you fly with them.

Best Ways to Earn United Miles

The best ways to earn United miles are by: 

  • Booking flights through United or a United partner
  • Booking hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related reservations with United partners
  • Making purchases with a United credit card or other travel credit card
  • Taking advantage of the MileagePlus shopping and dining programs and the MileagePlus X app (see “H3. Other Financial Products Partnered With United” below)

Keep in mind that when flying with one of United’s many partner airlines, the precise details of your ticket are important if you’re going to earn as many United points as possible. Using an algorithm provided by United, you can calculate exactly how many points a flight is worth by doing the following:

  • If you’re flying with a preferred partner: divide base award miles by five
  • If you’re flying with a MileagePlus partner: divide base award miles by six

How to Keep Your MileagePlus Account Active

Maybe you don’t fly that often and want to make sure your MileagePlus account stays open to continue taking advantage of miles-earning opportunities with partner airlines. There are many ways to accomplish this, many of which don’t require a flight ticket at all. 

Here are several popular ways to keep your MileagePlus account active: 

  • Use a United-branded credit card
  • Make a purchase through MileagePlus shopping or the MileagePlus app or dine through MileagePlus dining
  • Rent a car from a United partner car rental agency (Hertz, Thrifty, or Dollar)
  • Book a hotel stay through a United partner hotel
  • Buy more miles or transfer some of yours to someone else

Conveniently, everything you can do to keep your MileagePlus account active are also ways to earn more miles.

Also, it’s important to note that MileagePlus miles never actually expire. So as long as your account is open and in good standing (not suspended for any reason or closed by your United), you’re good to use your miles whenever. However, it’s always a good idea to use your miles sooner rather than later, because you never know when an airline may change its policy and cause you to lose some or all of your balance.

Using United Miles for Partner Perks

There are so many ways to use the miles you’ve accumulated in your MileagePlus account, but you’re probably interested in using them to book award flights. In some cases, booking with miles costs less per mile than booking with cash (whether your miles have been earned or purchased). This is important to keep in mind and it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on ticket prices to scope out savings opportunities.

Here’s how to use your United miles to easily book flights with United Airlines partners.

How to Book Partner Flights With MileagePlus Miles

To use your MileagePlus miles to book a flight with a United partner airlines, visit the United Airlines site booking tool as you normally would when booking a flight. Enter the details of your desired flight and check the box at the top of the search field that says “book with miles.” This will convert all prices to miles. All award flight ticket options will be displayed and you will see which Star Alliance airline or airlines will complete your flight. Miles are eligible to be used on connecting partner flights or flights with no changes.

Please keep in mind that award flights with United and partner airlines are now priced dynamically. This means that they are subject to change and will fluctuate based on peak flying times and capacity.

Can Award Tickets With Airline Partners Earn Points?

If you’re taking a flight on a United partner airline and that ticket is an award ticket, you’re unfortunately not eligible to earn premier miles on that flight. Award tickets are restricted from points accrual. If you’re planning on taking a long flight, make sure you crunch the numbers to see whether booking an award ticket or using cash to pay and earning miles like normal would save you more money.

However, there are plenty of ways to keep earning United Miles when you’re far from home that don’t involve flying.

How to Earn MileagePlus Miles Through Partner Flights

You don’t need to do anything special to earn MileagePlus miles when flying with one of United’s partner airlines. They will automatically deposit into your account just as they would after a United flight has been completed.

To see the miles you’ve earned in this way, just sign in to your MileagePlus account. If for some reason you can’t see your miles, get in touch with United’s customer support at 1-800-864-8331 to resolve this.

Travel Credit Cards to Earn More MileagePlus Miles

A trusty travel credit card can make it possible to earn miles on just about any other purchase you make beyond flight tickets, hotel bookings, and rentals. Get points not only by booking flights with United partner airlines but by always keeping a good travel card with you.

United Airlines has two co-branded credit cards issued through Chase Bank, the United Explorer Card and the United Business Card. Both offer two miles for every dollar spent on United purchases and dining and hotel purchases.

Other excellent travel credit cards with great bonus offers include:

These travel cards and the ones offered through United are eligible to earn points on all purchases including dining, gas, grocery, and more.

Other Financial Products Partnered With United

If you don’t feel like you need another credit card, don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways to rack up United miles when you spend.

Recently, United has rolled out a couple of co-branded financial products. The MileagePlus GO Visa Prepaid Card is your standard prepaid card in that it doesn’t require a credit check to get, doesn’t charge interest or fees, and is continually reloadable from a linked account, but it also lets you earn MileagePlus credit to the tune of up to 2,500 miles a month on qualifying purchases. 

The MileagePlus X app awards users with miles when they make purchases through the app at approved retailers including Domino’s, Walmart, Starbucks, and many more.

United also partners with mortgage broker Quicken Loans and currency exchange company Travelex to award flyers with miles when they make big purchases with either corporation.

And of course, MileagePlus members should always be on the lookout for ways to earn miles when shopping and dining through MileagePlus.

Final Thoughts

United Airlines makes it easy to keep enjoying the benefits of a MileagePlus membership no matter where you are in the country and earn miles flying with over 35 airlines globally. And remember, according to sources like WalletHub, United’s membership program is generally considered to be one of the best and most rewarding airline frequent flyer programs out there.

If you’re a frequent flyer with United Airlines, get familiar with this airline’s many business partners. This will help you save money on tickets, make your life easier when it’s time to book international travel, and rack up even more points for your MileagePlus account. 

Google ITA Flight Matrix Guide – Tips, Tricks & Hacks

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The ITA Flight Matrix is the software that powers Google Fights and other popular booking portals.

Planning on booking a flight soon but not sure of the best way to find a flight?

Look no further than Google.

But instead of using the standard web search engine you know and love and coming across numerous advertisements and sponsored results to sift through, try using the advanced flight search engine created by Google’s very own travel information software company, ITA Software.

If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of the ​ITA Flight Matrix​, it’s probably because you’ve been using one of the many search engines powered by its groundbreaking technology.

Though the ITA Matrix functions as its own entity and can be used to search flights, the software behind it is actually used by countless other flight search engines. If you’ve ever visited search platforms and online travel agencies (OTAs) like ​Google Flights​, Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline, or Kayak or airline sites like United and Delta to find flights, you’ve indirectly used the ITA Matrix.

How Google Acquired ITA Software

Google and the ITA Matrix were not always the power couple that they are today. Though the company ITA Software was created by MIT grads in the 90s, it wasn’t until 2010 that Google announced plans to absorb the online air travel broker and its Matrix for a cool $700 million.

After this smart business move on Google’s part, the original Matrix tool was reimagined into Version 3.0, a more convenient and up-to-date translation of the original. The software that started it all, called QPX, was kept intact for use by corporate customers, but it was also rolled into Google’s own separate airfare search entity created in 2011, Google Flights

Google’s all-in-one flight search engine might sound like science fiction, but it’s a very real and very useful tool that also happens to be free to use. By extending its business to include cutting-edge search software, Google made finding travel information easier than ever for flyers and airlines alike.

Google’s ITA Flight Matrix is the most robust flight search vehicle on the market today. Using the Matrix, users can select for flights by route, price, airline, and any other detail they desire in mere seconds. Here’s how to use the prolific but surprisingly accessible search engine to find your next flight.

How To Use The Flight Matrix For Best Results

Before Google’s acquisition of ITA Software, the user flight-shopping experience was messy and confusing with a single flight search resulting in pages and pages of competing outputs to choose from.

Fortunately for consumers now, it doesn’t get more user-friendly and customizable than Google’s ITA Flight Matrix, which allows travelers to tailor every aspect of their flight to fit their specific itinerary needs and search for the most affordable travel options. Plus, the ITA Matrix is straightforward and un-intimidating to use. Here’s how to build your whole search using the Flight Matrix search engine. See the empty search page below.

image credit: matrix.itasoftware.com

Selecting for Round-trip, One-way, or Multi-city Trips

To begin your search, simply toggle to select for your type of trip at the top of the Matrix site, where 3 options are organized into separate tabs: round-trip, where you purchase one ticket for both departure and arrival; one-way, where you purchase one ticket for only your departure; and multi-city, a round-trip option where you can choose separate cities for departure and arrival.

If you’re not sure what type of trip you want to take before you start your search, no need to worry. The search tool will auto-populate most of your selections between tabs so indecisive users don’t have to keep starting over.

Choosing City of Departure

The Google Flight Matrix allows users to specify exactly which airport they’d like to depart from using either a city name or airport code and filling in the ​Departing from search box. If you don’t know your desired airport’s code, find it at https://www.world-airport-codes.com/​.

Searching a city that contains multiple airports will show all airports when you type the city’s name into the search bar. Choose “All airports” at the top of this list if you don’t have a preference.

Travelers can even use the name of a state for this search and see every airport in that state. This might be a good option for anyone that wants the cheapest flights and has some flexibility as to where they can go to take off.

Choosing Destination City

Choosing a destination city is no different than choosing a departure city in the Google Flight Matrix. Using the ​Destination​ box, just search the airport you’d like to land in, again by either a city name or airport code.

The “Nearby” option to the right of the ​Departure from​ and ​Destination ​boxes lets you search airports outside of the city you’ve chosen within a specified radius than ranges from 25-2000 miles—you can even select all of the options that pop up.

Users looking for round-trip flights can choose separate departure and destination cities/airports or opt to use the same. The “Reverse route” option swaps the destinations of arrival and departure.

Optional Advanced Routing Codes

Airport routing codes might sound a little intimidating, but they are just an advanced flight search option in the Matrix that you may or may not want to use to quickly specify your exact preferences.

Using only routing codes, you can indicate how many stops you wish to make, which airline you’d like to use, where you’d like to connect, your itinerary duration, and more. Find out how to determine the routing codes for travel searches below.

Specifying Dates In The Matrix

There are a few options you’ll want to be aware of when inputting your flight dates into the Matrix. First, in the ​Dates​ section, you’ll want to select either ​Search exact dates​ or See calendar of lowest fares​.

When you toggle the mm/dd/yy ​Outbound Date o​ r ​Return Date​ box, a calendar will automatically pop up. Use this to find the dates you’re looking for.

Outbound Departure Date

For every date you select in the Google Flight Matrix, you have the option of also stipulating your preferred time of departure. These time brackets include:

●  Early morning (before 8:00 AM)

●  Morning (8:00 – 11:00 AM)

●  Midday (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

●  Afternoon (2:00 – 5:00 PM)

●  Evening (5:00 – 9:00 PM)

●  Night (after 9:00 PM)

You can select as few as one or all of these boxes. Don’t mind getting up early? Let the Matrix filter for early morning and morning flights to avoid airport traffic. Fares tend to fluctuate according to flight time, so if you’d like to see all of your options, check each time box or select “No preferred times” below.

Return/Arrival Date

When choosing your return/arrival date, you can specify your preferred time of arrival just as you could specify your preferred time of departure. Another handy feature of the entire dates section is the ​On this day only​ drop-down box. As you might guess, this lets you decide whether to open your search to include dates outside of your given range in your search results. These options include:

●  On this day only

●  Or day before

●  Or day after

●  Plus/minus 1 day

●  Plus/minus 2 days

Take advantage of any flexibility you may have here to save money.

Filling In Number of Adults

When you get to the ​Adults​ section, be prepared to give the exact ranges of all passengers you anticipate being in your party. Those flying with adults only (between the ages of 18 and 61 years old) can just choose the number of adults from the menu and move to the next section.

Click ​Children, seniors​ if you’ll be taking anyone under 18 years old and/or above 61 years old with you because this will open up age selection options. Just like other flight search engines, the Google Flight Matrix wants to know how old your party’s passengers will be. Why? Because some airlines have certain age restrictions. For example, some require you to have tickets for passengers under the age of 2, others don’t. Some define adults and children differently.

Let the Matrix do the dirty work of weeding out the flights that won’t work for your party. All you have to do is select the appropriate number of passengers in each age bracket:

●  Adults (18 – 61 years)

●  Seniors (62 and over)

●  Youths (12 to 17)

●  Children (2 to 11)

●  Infants in seat (under 2)

●  Infants in lap (under 2)

Many airlines will ask that you either purchase your infant a separate seat or keep them in your lap for the duration of your flight.

Cabin Type Options

The ​Cabin ​section asks you to pick your flight type. Most airlines offer four classes of cabin types, and the Flight Matrix uses these as well: cheapest available (economy), premium economy, business class or higher, and first class.

Each flight class offers different services and accommodations to its passengers. Economy class—also known as coach or standard—is, of course, the most affordable option and first class is on the opposite side of the spectrum.

Economy flyers can expect only the most basic amenities, narrow seats and walkways, and minimal snack and beverage selections. Premium economy is a step better and business class a step better than that.

First class flyers usually enjoy spacious seating, luxury entertainment, privacy doors or even rooms, and fine dining. The Google Matrix is interested in your cabin preferences primarily so that it can cater your results to your budget. After all, you don’t want to see first class flights if you have a premium economy budget, do you?

Choosing Your Desired Number of Stops

Choose the number of stops ideal for you using the ​Stops​ box and selecting from the following:

●  No limit

●  Non-stop only

● Up to 1 stop

● Up to 2 stops

You will notice that the stops selection alone drastically changes your search results.

Extra Stops Allowed

Remember that the Matrix is designed to search all possible options for you, and if you allow it to hunt for even better deals, it will. Essentially, the difference between ​Stops​ and ​Extra stops​ is just is the difference between what you’re okay with and where you absolutely put your foot down.

If, for example, you’d prefer to keep your itinerary to 1 stop but you’d go as high as 2, choose 1 stop for ​Stops​ and up to 1 extra stop for ​Extra stops.​ This will guarantee that you aren’t passing your limit while also showing more flight choices.

Selecting Options In The Other Section

Toward the bottom of your Matrix search, you will see boxes to check in the ​Other section. These are “Allow airport changes” and “Only show flights and prices with available seats”.

Both of these boxes are automatically checked in the interest of saving you money, but you can uncheck “Allow airport changes” for a simpler itinerary or “Only show flights and prices with available seats” if you’re willing to risk not getting a spot on your flight.

What To Do When You Get To Currency

The ​Currency​ box search page is an optional advanced feature, but you can use it to show flight fares in a different currency. The currency you will see defaults to the currency of sales or departure city, so if you’re leaving from the United States, flight prices will be shown in USD or U.S. dollars.

When would changing this box come in handy? Say you have been on an international trip in Europe for a while and are ready to book a flight home to the United States. Your fares in the Matrix will be given in euros unless you change them to dollars, which you might prefer if that is the currency you are most comfortable using.

What Is The Sales City?

At the very bottom of the Google Matrix search box is the ​Sales​ option. The default for sales city is departure city, but international flyers might find cheaper flight options by changing sales city.

Sometimes, due to currency exchange rates, flight prices are different in different cities for no apparent reason. If you play around with currency and sales city, you might get lucky and find slightly lower fares.

Flight Search Example: Understanding and Filtering Results

To understand what your search and results will actually look like when you use the ITA Matrix to find a flight, take a look at this example.

image credit: matrix.itasoftware.com

This is the search page for a trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. The results page is shown below.

image credit: matrix.itasoftware.com

Look at the different drop-down menus above the results. Filtering options include ​Price, Airline, Depart, Arrive, Duration, From/To, Stops, a​ nd ​Advisory​. These choices will allow you to not only sort your results in various ways but also change aspects of your trip without having to go back and edit your whole search.

Select departure time and compare prices.

Want to change your departure time window? Simply select ​Depart​ and click the boxes you’d like to see results for.

Compare flight duration options.

Want to see the shortest or longest possible flights? Select ​Duration ​and toggle the sliders as needed.

You will notice that the Matrix automatically filters prices by low to high, showing the cheapest flight options first in orange type. If you hover your cursor over the prices for any of the flights, a box showing the exact price per passenger and the total cost will appear. Click on a price to see that flight’s itinerary.

Remember flights can’t be purchased directly from the ITA Software.

Comparing Airline Options

Using the ​Airline​ menu, you can select for and/or delete airline options from your search. “All airlines” is automatically selected, but you can check and uncheck boxes as you please. If for some reason you prefer not to fly through American Airlines, for instance, uncheck its box and these flights will no longer appear in your search.

Because different airlines price their flights differently, analyzing all fares across airlines might be smart. Some frequent flyers through a particular airline can use this feature to ensure that they can put miles and points toward the price of their flight.

Saving Money Using The Google Flight Matrix

There are a few simple rules you can follow to save more money using the Google Flight Matrix before you’ve even gotten to the results page. Use search strategies such as the following to make sure that your results only include the most economical options out there.

  1. Fly economy—select this option from the ​Cabin​ section.
  2. Be flexible—open up your search to include more days and times (choose “Plus/minus 2 days for ​Dates​ and “No preferred times” for outbound and return flights).
  3. Allow stops, airport changes, and connections.
  4. Avoid hidden fees (keep reading to see how).
  5. Take advantage of the ​See calendar of lowest fares ​feature.
  6. Try entering a few different currencies and sales cities.

Follow these steps in your search and use the hacks provided later in this article, you’re sure to get the best value on your next flight.

Price Differences Between The Matrix And Google Flights

So, are prices the same between across the Google Flight Matrix API (Application Programming Interface) and Google Flights? Not quite, but the Matrix is more accurate.

Until Book With Matrix, users could not book using the Matrix. And while they still can’t purchase directly from ITA using Book With Matrix, they ​can​ input their selected itineraries to find the exact flight they’re looking for. Because this redirects users to travel agency and airline sites, these prices are always up-to-date and what you see in the Matrix is what you’ll get.

Google Flights, on the other hand, doesn’t usually reflect changes when airlines update prices. Because of this, you might be shown a fare that’s no longer offered and you won’t see the true price of a flight until you prepare to check out.

As for other flight comparison sites, you can expect similar, if not the very same, fares between these and the Matrix. For the same round-trip premium economy flight from Chicago to L.A. shown in this article, the total price is $2639.40 across:

  1. The ITA Matrix
  2. Flight Network
  3. Priceline
  4. Expedia
  5. United Airlines

How To Use Routing Codes In The Google Flight Matrix

Routing codes can restrict your options so that you see only precisely what you want to see, but how do you know what codes to use? You don’t have to be a computer programmer or tech wiz to use advanced routing language, but it might take a little practice to craft coded queries. Here are all of the possible input options.

Using routing code syntax may help you drill down to your ideal flights quicker.

By clicking “Advanced routing codes,” you can input codes and narrow your search quickly and accurately. Every flyer is different and has different preferences, and the Matrix leaves room for all of these. Here are a few real examples for reference. (Note: Find an airline’s two-letter code using ​IATA’s code search tool​.)

Routing Code Examples

These example queries came directly from a ​Google Help page devoted to ITA Routing Codes​.

●  A direct flight through American Airlines: [AA] or [C:AA]

●  Up to three flights, at least one through US Airways: [F? US F?]

●  Two connections or less: [X? X?]

●  Two connections or more: [X X+]

●  A flight on US Airlines followed by a flight on United Airlines: [US UA]

Keep in mind that you will have to input your codes into the right box for each part of your flight. If, for instance, you are flying round-trip and don’t want to make any stops on the way back (Destination flight), you will need to input this code into the ​Returning routing code box beneath your second flight as opposed to the ​Outbound​ routing code box beneath your first flight.

Extension Codes

In addition to the standard routing codes shown above, users can use extension codes to sharpen their searches even further. These can limit the number of stops, establish minimum connection times, and even prevent overnight flights from being displayed. See these below.

You can have a routing code, an extension code, or both—just be sure to plug your codes into the right boxes.

Extension codes, like routing codes, are a helpful advanced feature of the search engine. Some flyers, for instance, might want a specific connection point so they can drop in a friend’s city for a cup of coffee—they would use [X:___] and fill in the blank with the code for the connecting city—and they could even specify a minimum connection of 1 hour using [/ minconnect 60] to make sure they have sufficient time to visit.

Think you’re ready to try coding for yourself? Try this example: You’re willing to make a single stop on your flight anywhere other than New York City, and you’d like to avoid this stop being either red-eye or overnight. What would the code be?*

Tips And Hacks For Booking Flights

In the past, tickets couldn’t be purchased directly from ITA Software. Now, however, there is the almost too-good-be-true ​BookWithMatrix tool​ (which is not affiliated with Google or ITA Software). This program redirects users to booking sites right from their search. If you thought building the perfect search was easy, wait until you see this part.

To book your chosen flight through Matrix, follow these steps:

  1. Select the flight you want by clicking its price. This will direct you to a page titled “Itinerary Details”.
  2. Highlight the entire itinerary page by clicking CTRL + A. Once the whole page is highlighted, click CTRL + C to copy.
  3. Input this itinerary into the BookWithMatrix toolbar by clicking CTRL + P.
Note that “BookWithMatrix” is not actually affiliated with the ITA matrix or Google.

This is how your page will appear once you’ve followed the above three steps. Now you should be ready to book your flight and all you have to do is navigate to the ​Book With…​ button and choose from a couple of flight booking sites that use the Matrix, such as Flight Network and Priceline. But before you do that, make sure you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.

Airplane tickets are tricky. Hidden fees and bloated prices can quickly overwhelm even the savviest travelers, but don’t let them trip you up or catch you off guard. When it comes to actually booking, there are many hacks for ensuring that you are getting the best possible fare using your search results. Follow these tips and tricks for best results.

How To Quickly Spot Hidden Fees

One money-saving booking trick is to know how to spot hidden fees. Most flights come with hidden fees and unexpected expenses that you often wish you’d known about ahead of time. For your next flight, you can. Save money by avoiding bogus charges associated with:

●  Checking luggage

●  Prebooked seats

●  Reservation changes

●  In-flight Wi-Fi

●  Payment card type

Some flight fees are unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared for them. Find out ​before y​ ou book what you will be charged for checked and carry-on bags (most airlines offer carry-ons for free, but not all), what payment types come with additional service fees, whether there is a cancellation or change charge (and what it is), and which in-flight amenities are ​not​ complimentary. Usually, important flight information is included in a detailed separate document or page attached to a ticket booking screen. Scan this thoroughly if you don’t want any charges sneaking up on you and look into the common ones listed above.

Identifying Economy Class Flights

Perhaps it goes without saying, but choosing economy class is often going to save you the most money and one of the easiest cost-cutting hacks to use. This, well, ​economical option is designed for people that are willing to sacrifice comfort and convenience for savings.

Economy class flights are denoted with many labels, including third class, coach class, steerage, standard economy, and budget economy. Airline booking codes for economy class include ​O, Q, N, S, G, V, L, M, K, H, and Y. If you see one of these, your ticket is an economy ticket, and you’re probably getting the lowest fare possible.

The Google Flight Matrix makes identifying economy class flights easy by allowing you to search for this cabin type exclusively (see section about cabins above).

Using The Full Calendar For Lowest Fares

Remember that ​See calendar of lowest fares s​ ection of the Matrix? Here’s how to take full advantage of that. The results page lists the cheapest options right at the top, but you can see even lower fares by selecting ​See calendar of lowest fares ​in the ​Dates section of your search. You will then need to type in your departure date and approximate length of stay.

What this does is show you fare prices for an entire month or more, with ticket prices for your trip displayed on each day. Select one of these days as your exact departure date and your arrival date will be automatically chosen based on the length of your stay. This feature lets users see fare fluctuations all in one place without having to edit their search over and over again to hunt for the lowest fares.

Comparing Two, One-Way Hacker Fees

One trick that’s trending among thrifty air travelers is known as the hacker fee or fare. This is the process of piecing together two individual flights on separate airlines to form a round-trip in order to save money.

To try this hack, pull up a round-trip flight in one window, one-way departure flight in another, and a one-way arrival flight in a third. Select the cheapest fare options for each and do a side-by-side comparison of itinerary prices. To ensure that you are actually seeing the lowest prices, use the calendar above.

Booking Flights Using Airline Points And Rewards

Loyalist flyers with miles to use and cardholders with airline points might want to know how to use the Matrix to book flights using their rewards. This process is simple.

First, if there’s a particular airline you must use to redeem rewards, filter your results or search to include only that airline. Next, find the best flight for your trip and input your itinerary into Book With Matrix. At some point during your booking and checkout process, there should be an option to use points and rewards.

If there is not an option to redeem rewards on the websites linked through Book With Matrix, just save a copy of your Matrix itinerary and show it to a travel agent or airline representative. They will be able to use the provided fare codes to find the right flight for you and walk you through cashing in on miles and points. This tip will guarantee that your hard-earned points aren’t wasted.

Should You Use The Matrix To Book Flights

The Google Flight Matrix can handle the most complex travel plans and navigate the entire scope of flight search data for you, condensing only relevant results into a useful and easy-to-navigate page.​ ​This powerful search tool can make tedious components of travel significantly easier to manage, and you stand to lose nothing by using it (it’s free, remember?). So​yes,​ youshouldbeusingtheMatrixtofindandbookflights.

If you’re like the 4 billion and counting passengers turning off electronics and fastening their seat belts for lift-off each year, odds are good that you’ll be taking to the sky soon. And if you do, save yourself the stress of endless searching by using the Google ITA Matrix. Once you learn how to use this search engine, you’ll never go back to your previous methods of finding flights.

*Answer: [~NYC / -overnight;-redeye] with ~NYC in the routing code box and -overnight;-redeye in the extension code box.

United Airlines Baggage Policy, Exceptions and Fees [2021]

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image credit: united.com

If you’re planning on flying with United Airlines this year then you’ll want to know what to expect in terms of potential fees and luggage restrictions for both your carry-on items and checked bags. So for your convenience, whether you’re traveling with carry-ons, checked bags, or both, here’s a comprehensive list of every important United baggage policy all passengers should be aware of in 2021.

United Airlines Carry-On Allowance

Don’t risk arriving at the airport for your flight and having your carry-on luggage turned away or unexpectedly checked. United Airlines lets most passengers travel with one carry-on bag and one personal item each, free of charge, as long as the items do not go over the airline’s size and weight restrictions.

Basic Economy tickets allow for one personal item only and do not include free carry-on luggage. If you do bring a full-sized carry-on bag when flying economy, you will be required to check the bag and pay the checked bag fee (whatever it is for your flight) and a $25 gate handling charge on top of that. All other flight classes include one free carry-on and one personal item.

Your carry-on bag technically has no weight restrictions, but it is expected to fit in the overhead bin. This means it must not exceed 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches or 22 centimeters x 35 centimeters x 56 centimeters. This includes all exterior hardware such as handles and straps. Your personal item, which is expected to fit under the seat in front of you, must not exceed 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches or 22 centimeters x 25 centimeters x 43 centimeters.

Other items that all passengers may bring in addition to their carry-ons include standard “special” items such as umbrellas, FAA-approved child restraint systems and safety seats, assistive devices such as wheelchairs and walkers, and pet carriers.

Carry-On Allowances for Toddlers and Children

Bring the essentials free of charge! Details below.

If you are going to be traveling with an infant or young child, there are a number of necessary items you can bring that United Airlines will not charge you for. These include: 

  • A diaper bag
  • A breast pump and milk
  • An FAA-approved child or infant restraint seat
  • A compact folding stroller that meets carry-on size restrictions (9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches or 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches)

All children under the age of two may travel with one car seat and one stroller. This allowance is included in all flight classes and on all flights. Strollers usually need to be checked at the gate but if they do not collapse, you’ll need to check them at the ticket counter.

Bringing Pets Onboard

Small dogs and cats are allowed on most domestic and international flights, but you will, of course, need to pay for your pet to travel with you in the cabin. A service charge of $125 is charged each way for a pet, and an additional charge of the same amount is assessed for every stopover of greater than four hours.

Service animals are not under the same restrictions as pets. See this page for information on traveling with service animals.

Pit Bull breeds are not permitted on the airplane at all.

The requirements for traveling with pets are as follows:

  • Puppies and kittens must not be younger than 16 weeks old
  • Unaccompanied minors are not permitted to fly with pets
  • Additional pets require an extra ticket and an additional $125 each way
  • Pets that don’t fit in kennels may not accompany you in the cabin and will need to travel in a separate compartment of the plane through United Airlines’ PetSafe transport program
  • You and your pet must be on the same flight
  • Oxygen services are not available for pets in the event of an emergency

Your pet will need to be up-to-date on its rabies vaccinations and you must bring a health certificate showing that they are to the airport. Some states, like Hawaii, have their own restrictions in place that you need to research.

Musical Instruments

Small instruments such as violins and guitars are permitted as long as they are in a hard case. If they are placed in the overhead bin, they’ll count as your carry-on. If they are placed beneath the seat in front of you, they’ll count as your personal item.

Prohibited Items

Certain items are strictly prohibited on United Airlines flights. These restrictions are put in place by the federal government and there are no exceptions.

Items never allowed on a flight include:

  • Self-balancing or self-riding bags
  • Camping equipment that contains fuel of any kind
  • Defense sprays such as pepper spray, tear gas, or mace
  • Explosives including but not limited to fireworks, flares, and gunpowder
  • MREs containing flameless heaters
  • Shock absorbers
  • Smart bags with batteries that cannot be removed
  • Tasers
  • Select electronic devices
  • Perishable items

Items allowed on flights with restrictions include:

  • Batteries
  • Power tools
  • Mobility devices
  • Firearms

United Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

How many bags you can check for a United flight and how much each of those bags will cost to check depends on your loyalty status with the airline and the flight class you’ve chosen. Size and weight restrictions are also dependent on flight class and loyalty status.

Here’s a Visual Breakdown:

For United Economy flyers, checked baggage may weigh up to 50 pounds or 23 kilograms. United Business, United First, and United Polaris checked baggage may weigh up to 70 pounds. The latter is also the restriction for passengers with Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, and Star Alliance Gold (First, Business, or Polaris) MileagePlus status. 

No bag may exceed a combined total of 62 inches (length + width + height) unless checked by an active-duty U.S. military member traveling for official business.

You can pay for your checked baggage, provided that it meets size and weight requirements, online before your flight or at check-in.

How Much Do Checked Bags Cost at United?

To get the most accurate cost breakdown on how much it will cost to check your bags on your next United flight, use their baggage cost calculator.

The cost varies not only by route but also by which cabin you’re sitting in (economy, premium economy, business or first) as well as your membership and status. Your membership and status are determined by the credit cards you hold and whether or not you are active in the U.S. military.

In general, for North American economy flights you can expect to pay $30-$35 per bag depending on whether you prepay or not. If you need to carry a second bag this will cost an additional $40-$45.

For flights to Europe the first checked bag is free even for those in the economy cabin, however second bags will cost up to $100 to check.

If you’re flying any level above economy both your first and second bag will be checked free of charge. Same goes for acting U.S. military members. You can read more about this in our “Exceptions and Waivers” section further below.

Checked Baggage for Children

The same checked baggage policies apply to children with purchased tickets and infants flying internationally on 10% of adult fare as for adult passengers. Should a child’s baggage exceed their personal allowance, the fare-paying adult accompanying them will need to assume the excess baggage as part of their own allowance.

Excessive Baggage Fees

If you must bring a bag that exceeds the above size and weight restrictions or you want to bring an additional bag, you may do so for a fee. Some flights do not allow oversized or overweight bags at all, so be sure to look into this every time you fly.

Checked baggage may never exceed 115 linear inches. Most baggage may never exceed 100 pounds. Musical instruments and mobility devices, however, may weigh up to 165 pounds. Overweight bags (weighing over 70 pounds but less than 100) can cost up to $200 each. Oversized bags measuring more than 62 linear inches also incur a fee, which is dependent on the flight destination and subject to change.

Please note that if a bag is more than one of these things—extra, overweight, or oversized—you’ll be charged more than one service fee. Extra bags are permitted only when there is space available on the plane.

Fragile and/or Bulky Items

If you happen to be flying with an oversized, bulky or fragile item that is too delicate to transport as checked baggage, you may choose to purchase a ticket for it and have it sit next to you or in another open seat. This item and ticket purchase must be approved by a United Airlines agent.

Some examples of cabin-seat baggage that would be approved by United may include the following:

  • large musical instruments
  • electronic devices (cameras, computer hardware, medical devices)
  • artifacts
  • garment bags

Please note the following cabin-seat baggage restrictions:

  • Item(s) must not exceed 165 pounds (75 kg).
  • Item(s) must be safely covered in a way that avoids injury to other customers.
  • Item(s) must be secured in a seat adjacent to the owner.
  • Item(s) must be properly secured by a seat belt to avoid shifting during flight.
  • Item(s) must not restrict access to, or use of, any regular or emergency exit or aisle of the cabin.
  • Item(s) must not obscure any customer’s view of “seatbelt,” “no smoking” or “exit” signage.
  • Item(s) must not contain dangerous goods.
  • Item(s) must be reserved in advance and applicable charges paid.

You can read more on United’s cabin-seat baggage restrictions here.

Exceptions and Waivers

Both active-duty U.S. military personnel and their dependents and MileagePlus Premier members and their travel companions can have checked baggage fees waived. For these flyers, a maximum weight of 70 pounds is enforced rather than the standard 50 pounds.

Active-duty military personnel and their dependents receive 3 complimentary checked bags for personal travel, 2 for travel orders, and 5 for official business travel. MileagePlus Premier Silver members receive 1 complimentary checked bag on most domestic and select international economy flights, Gold receive 2 complimentary checked bags on economy flights, and Platinum and 1K members receive 3 complimentary checked bags on economy flights. All premium cabin travel permits 3 complimentary checked bags for those with Silver, Gold, Platinum, or 1K status.

Some destinations such as flights to San Salvador and Havana have additional restrictions in place when it comes to complimentary checked baggage. See these here.

Credit Cards That Give You a Free Checked Bag With United Airlines

As you can see, United Airlines does not offer free checked baggage to just any customer, as some budget airlines do, but there are a couple of ways to check a bag for free when you’re a United passenger. 

Not a member of the military or a United Airlines favorite customer? A United Airlines credit card might be the way to go for you. United offers five different credit cards through Chase bank and all cardholders receive at least one checked bag for free.

Here’s how many free bags you can check when you’re a United cardholder:

  • United Explorer Card: 1
  • Club Card: 2
  • Presidential Plus Card: 2
  • United Business Card: 1
  • United Club Business Card: 2

Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees, Policies & Loopholes [2021]

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As with many budget airlines, bags are not included when flying with Spirit Airlines in 2021. This includes both carry-ons and checked bags. If you would like to bring bags with you on your trip (and who travels without some form of luggage?) it will cost you.

Therefore customers flying with Spirit Airlines will need to factor in the cost of their luggage to get a full view of the flight’s price tag.

On top of that, the closer you get to your flight’s departure, the more it will cost to add luggage. So planning ahead can save you money.

Here is everything you’ll want to know from size allowances to baggage fees and more, for this budget airline.

Spirit Airlines Carry-On Rules

Spirit Airlines gives their customers ​one free personal item​ per flight but — unlike many other major airlines — charges for standard carry-ons.

A personal item like a laptop, small backpack, or purse must not exceed the dimensions of:

  • 18” x 14” x 8”​ or ​40 linear inches ​(height + length + width)

While carry-ons must not exceed the dimensions of:

  • 22” x 18” x 10”​

Exactly how much passengers are required to pay per carry-on depends on a few factors. These factors include date, flight route, and booking type. Use the ​Spirit Bag-O-Tron​ to figure out your exact carry-on fee. Alternatively, if you’d just the approximate averages, below is our table of what you can generally expect for carry-ons. We obtained these approximate values based on over two dozen searches.

Time bag added to bookingStandard$9 Fare Club
During Booking$40$31
Before Online Check-In$50$41
During Online Check-In$50$41
Reservation Desk$60$60
At the Gate$65$65

Remember that these are only typical prices and your fees could be different. The price of a carry-on bag for a standard passenger ranges from $37 – 76 and for a $9 Fare Club passenger from $23 – 76. The sooner you add a bag to your reservation, the more money you’ll save.

Becoming a member of the ​Spirit $9 Fare Club​ (called the $9 Fare Club not because it costs $9 to join but because a 60-day trial membership ​used to​ cost $9) is also a great way to save on baggage fees. This club offers its members discounted prices and exclusive deals, and it costs $59.95 to join in 2021 and $69.95 to renew annually.

Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Rules

Checked bags through Spirit Airlines may be a maximum size of ​62 linear inches​ ​and a maximum weight of ​40 pounds. ​Frequent flyers know that this weight restriction is slightly low when compared to that of other airlines, but that a 62-inch total length is fairly standard. Keep this in mind when flying Spirit.

Like carry-ons, checked bags are charged differently for standard passengers and $9 Fare Club members and prices also vary based on booking. This price breakdown shows what most people will pay per checked bag.

BagStandard$9 Fare
During Booking1$35 $26
2$45 $36
3 – 5$85 $76
Before Online Check-In1$45 $36
2$55 $46
3 – 5$95 $86
During Online Check-In1$45 $36
2$55 $46
3 – 5$95 $86
Reservation Desk1$55 $55
2$65 $65
3 – 5$105 $105
At the Gate1 (only)$65 $65

You’ll notice that all passengers checking bags at the gate are only allowed one piece of checked luggage. Checked baggage fees are also dependent on route and travel dates, but fluctuate less than the prices for carry-ons. The Bag-O-Tron will be a useful tool when calculating checked baggage fees, as well.

There are certain flight restrictions you’ll need to know about if you plan to either fly to or from South America at any point during the year or internationally between December 1st and January 10th. If either of these applies to you, see the list of special restrictions for such flights at the bottom of ​this page​.

Spirit Airlines Excess Baggage Fees

Use the chart below to see how much you can expect to pay by pound for your bag.

A passenger may not bring a bag measuring more than ​80 linear inches​ and/or weighing more than ​100 pounds ​aboard a Spirit flight (unless under special circumstances), but bags under these limits and over the standard dimensions are allowed to be checked. Passengers will just have to understand that oversize and overweight checked baggage is charged an additional fee.

Spirit Airlines Oversize and Overweight Fees

Weight rangeFee
41 – 50 pounds$30
51 – 70 pounds$55
71 – 100 pounds$100
63 – 80 linear inches$100
80 + linear inches$150

Examples of items that may count as checked bags or carry-on luggage but that could incur oversize/overweight fees include:

  • Musical instruments
  • Sports equipment
  • Bicycles
  • Wedding dresses
  • Art Supplies

Mobile and medical assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and canes can be checked free of charge at the gate. For a complete list of restriction exceptions, read the ​Spirit Contract of Carriage​. Note that any oversize/overweight equipment not packed securely with the rest of your baggage will be charged separate fees. That means you should do your best to pack bulky items like hockey sticks safely within your bags.

Flying families will want to know that guests are allowed ​one FAA-approved car seat ​and ​one stroller aboard their flight ​for no additional charge​. If these do not fit on board, they will have to be checked at the gate (again, this is free to you). See ​this list​ of seat dimensions for various types of Spirit aircraft if you would like to ensure that your child’s car seat will fit on your plane, in their designated seat.

Get Your Baggage Fees Reimbursed

No matter what baggage fees you are charged for a Spirit flight, you can get reimbursed for these if you’ve got the right credit card. Credit cards that reimburse travel fees include:

  • American Express Platinum:​ $200 annual reimbursement
  • American Express Gold​: $100
  • Bank of America Premium Rewards:​ $200
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve:​ $300
  • Citi Prestige​: $250

Get 1 Free Checked Bag Through Spirit

Unless you are in the military,​ there is no way to get free checked bags through Spirit Airlines. Even ​Spirit Airlines Mastercard​ holders and members of the $9 Fare Club are charged for every carry-on and checked bag. Spirit’s Bare Fare guarantee is what keeps flights ultra low-cost, but it’s also what makes obtaining baggage waivers and additional discounts difficult.

The only free allowance on a Spirit flight is a personal item and unless your baggage includes medical devices or strollers, you will be charged baggage fees. You’ll have to find other ways to save on flights through Spirit Airlines, like joining the $9 Fare Club and adding bags to your reservation right away.

Spirit Airlines Baggage Fee Exceptions

As mentioned, active-duty military personnel are the only passengers that qualify for ​free checked bags​. These individuals are allowed two free checked bags and one free carry-on, so long as they present valid identification.

Knowing Spirit Airlines Baggage Policies

Spirit Airlines is a company already known for offering affordable flying rates, but you can save yourself even more money by learning about their baggage policies. By knowing what counts as oversize or overweight bags and taking advantage of opportunities to check your bags for less, you can keep more of your cash for spending wherever you go rather than on how you get there.

Chase Private Client Review – Are The Benefits Worth It?

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The Chase Private Client Welcome Kit was designed by AlyssaStrand. Image courtesy of AlyssaStrand.com

[Update February 2021: The $2,000 welcome bonus has been extended through April 14, 2021. It was originally set to expire in January. More details below.]

In 2021, banking is more sophisticated and nuanced than just putting money into an account for safe-keeping. And with so much at stake, you want to make sure that you’re partnering with the right bank to meet all of your financial goals and needs.

If you’re a Chase customer with considerable assets under your belt, you may be considering the Chase Private Client Program. This personalized membership offers countless member-exclusive benefits, including one-on-one time with various financial advisors, banking and lending perks, and discounts on loans and transactions.

Here is a detailed look at everything this elite club has to offer.

What Is the Chase Private Client Program?

The Chase Private Client Program (CPCP) is an invite-only program that offers countless exclusive benefits and services to its members. According to the bank, Private Clients enjoy a “personalized relationship” with Chase through which they receive access to only the best banking features and services offered.

From customized ​J.P. Morgan investing guidance​ to exclusive lending programs, there’s almost no end to the special treatment you’ll get as a Private Client. Other benefits include but are not limited to:

☎️Priority banking service (24/7 on-call access)
💳Member-only credit cards
🏠Loan discounts
👵🏻Extensive retirement and financial planning resources
💰Lower fees on most transactions (including those made abroad) and higher withdrawal and credit limits
🤵Access to dedicated lending advisors

Who Is Eligible for the Private Client Program?

Not just anyone can become a Private Client (PC) with Chase. This invitation is given only to Chase’s “best customers,” and you’ll either need to request a meeting with a Private Client banker to discuss your qualifications or wait around for a letter just to be invited. There are two ways to qualify for an upgrade to top-tier status with Chase:

Have a combined total of $250,000 or more between all of your Chase personal and business checking, savings, and investment accounts. This does not include online self-directed investment accounts with ​You Invest​ or retirement accounts.

Have a family member extend their Private Client membership to you. Though being a Private Client does not technically cost anything in membership fees, members not invited by a family member must maintain a daily average of $250,000 for continued status. Within 45 days of upgrading, Private Clients must disperse this sum across whichever qualifying accounts they choose.

For most, that’s quite a chunk of cash and not a lot of time. You’ll want to consider any opportunity loss you may incur from moving money out of another investment or savings vehicle to meet this $250,000 requirement. If you don’t have that kind of money lying around, you might find yourself selling shares of stock, pulling from a savings account that was accruing interest, and even missing out on countless investment opportunities you were consider pulling the trigger on – just to meet this target. You’ll have to decide for yourself if the program is worth the sacrifice.

The second way to hack your way into the CPCP is to become a joint account owner with another Chase Private Client that is an immediate family member. All adult members of a shared Private Client deposit account are awarded the privileges of a membership, whether each of them has $250,000 or not. This loophole is utilized by many Chase customers that would otherwise never qualify for elite status.

Benefits of the Chase Private Client Program

Several aspects of modern banking are changed for Chase members elevated to Private Client status—overall, the program has many strengths, but it also has many caveats. Chase works hard to keep its Private Clients, but be sure to read the fine print before you make any decisions.

A $2,000 Sign-Up Bonus That’s Hard to Beat

Current Chase customers upgrading to Private Client can collect a $2,000 cash bonus!

Current Chase customers opting to upgrade to Private Client status are provided a hefty reward.

From now until April 14, 2021, upgrading to Chase Private Client includes a lucrative welcome bonus of 💰$2,000 💰 after completing a few qualifying transactions.

Here’s how to qualify:

  1. Meet with a Private Client Banker to upgrade to Chase Private Client CheckingSM account and
  2. Within 45 calendar days, transfer a total of $250,000 or more in qualifying new money or securities to a combination of eligible accounts.

Eligible VS Ineligible Accounts:

–  Eligible Accounts: qualifying Chase personal checking accounts and savings accounts, as well as J.P. Morgan investment accounts. These must be opened in a Chase branch and serviced by a J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisor or Financial Advisor. 

–  Ineligible Accounts: Chase business checking and savings accounts, any You InvestSM accounts, any J.P. Morgan retirement accounts (such as Traditional and Roth IRAs, Keoghs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k) plans); CDs; insurance products; fixed and variable annuities; J.P.Morgan Fund Accounts; 529 College Savings Plans; attorney trust accounts; client fund trust accounts; as well as Government or Non-Profit accounts.

Credit Cards and Rewards

Behold! These are Chase Bank’s most illustrious credit cards. Image courtesy of AlyssaStrand.com

The Private Client Program does not have any unique cards except for the debit card given to members; even the highest-rated Chase cards are available to all. Any Chase member can apply for the ​Chase Sapphire Reserve​ card, an elusive travel card that un​officially requires a credit score of 750 or higher​, and the ​Chase Sapphire Preferred​ card, which requires a 700 or higher.

Private Clients are more likely to have these cards, but their approval odds are only higher because they have more money and better credit to begin with. If a person is likely to qualify as a Private Client, they are also likely to qualify for the top cards. The CPCP does not guarantee credit card approval and card rewards and points are the same for everyone.

Unless you’re a long-time personal finance junkie, you’re probably not familiar with the Chase 5/24 rule. This quietly enforced “no more than 5 credit card accounts opened in the course of 24 months” rule includes ​all​ cards that contribute to a person’s credit (not just Chase), and it’s firm for everyone. That means that PC’s aren’t likely to get around this stipulation even though they are Chase’s “favorites.”

Convenient Banking

Members of the Chase Private Client Program never have to go long without getting help. Private Clients have access to a 24/7 exclusive Banking Services line ​(Domestic: 1-888-994-5626, International: 1-405-235-4847) to answer questions the moment they have them, no in-person appointment or hours on the hold required.

Members of this program also have a dedicated banker ready to help them navigate and make the most of their membership. There’s a lot to the private program, but clients don’t have to figure it out alone. ​In addition to these helplines, Private Clients are offered a number of banking benefits, including:

●  Higher daily ATM withdrawal limits (up to $2,000)

●  Higher daily purchase limits (up to $7,500 with Chase Private Client debit card)

●  Higher QuickDeposit and QuickPay limits ​($25,000 per day and $100,000 every 30 days and $5,000 per day and $40,000 every 30 days, respectively)

●  Rushed (free) card replacement

●  No Chase fees at non-Chase ATMs or on wire transfers

●  No monthly service fees on checking or savings accounts

Business Account Bonuses

Chase members with Private Client status that also use ​Chase for their business banking​ can count on a few special accommodations. Specialized business banking advisors are assigned to every Private Client business owner. These advisors can answer any of your questions and help you strategize your business spending so that you’re using your money as effectively as possible.

Private Clients do not pay any fees on electronic deposits to Platinum or Total Business Checking Accounts or service fees on these accounts. Even better, minimum balance requirements are lower for Private Client Platinum Business Checking accounts. If you’re wondering whether your business account funds can be used to qualify you to become a Private Client, the answer is yes.

Investment and Retirement Counseling

Rest easy with a dedicated investment advisor.

Members of the Chase Private Client Program get to partner up with dedicated J.P. Morgan investment advisors. Because J.P. Morgan is one of the biggest investment banking companies in the business, that means access to global expertise and vast market research. Clients meet with their advisors regularly to discuss immediate financial needs and market and economic trends as well as smart next moves.

Chase Private Client members also get help p​repairing for retirement​ in the form of a comprehensive 4-step plan. Through this plan, clients identify what they want to get out of retirement, evaluate their current financial situation, develop strategies for success, and assess their goal progression, all with the help of an investment professional.

However, there is a catch. Giving J.P. Morgan the reigns to manage your investment portfolio and offer advice isn’t free, even for Private Clients. An annual fee of 1.25%, billed quarterly, is charged for portfolio management services from J.P. Morgan. Many professional portfolio advisors, through firms like Vanguard and Personal Capital, charge less than this (the average is more in the 1% range). If users choose to use You Invest, a self-directed free trading platform, instead, their investment opportunities will be severely limited and their returns much lower.

Mortgage and Loan Advice

The stressful process of taking out a home mortgage or auto loan is made less stressful for Private Clients because these Chase members receive discounted rates on lending and top-notch personal loan advice. Through the Chase Private Client Mortgage Rate Program, members work with home lending advisors and other team members such as underwriters and processors to plan their home loans with big picture financial goals in mind.

When it’s time to take out a loan, Private Clients can expect up to 1.25% off the standard variable rate for a home equity line of credit and a 0.25% rate discount off standard auto loan rates with an additional 0.25% off of that when refinancing.

Privileges for the Whole Family

Benefits the whole family can enjoy!

While Chase Private Clients can extend their benefits to other members of their immediate family with whom they share accounts, the family privileges of this membership don’t stop there.

Parents might like the fact that they can set withdrawal and spending limits on authorized debit cards for use by their kids through the Private Client Program, but young adults can learn more about responsible banking themselves through ​Chase’s Student Banking Program​. However, these features are not exclusive to the CPCP.

Additional Benefits

There are a few final hidden perks to the Chase Private Client Program that shouldn’t be overlooked for those that enjoy skipping lines and being treated like a VIP. Chase Private Clients have access to annual member-exclusive events, early ticket purchase on select entertainment, and can even utilize their membership to gain special entry into certain institutions through the Chase Private Client Arts & Culture Program​ (though use of this perk is limited).

Does It Pay to Be a Chase Private Client?

The CPCP likely isn’t for anyone still improving their credit, new to investing, paying off large loans (other than perhaps home loans and mortgages), or just beginning to plan for retirement.

The Chase Private Client Program is best-suited for larger asset-holding Chase customers that favor convenience and may want a little help with big financial decisions but have already made some progress towards long-term financial goals. It’s also worth noting that not all Chase banks participate in this program, so this is very much a case by case offer.

As with anything, there are pros and cons. There are discounted loan rates, waived service fees, and member-exclusive events, but there’s also that massive $250,000 ​minimum ​account balance requirement.

Do you have experience being a Chase Private Client? Please share in the comments.