Sometimes, you need to carry more than just what you carry with you. Fortunately, if you need to check a bag, your airline status, ticket type, or credit card may waive your checked bag fee.
Still, lugging checked luggage through the ticket hall can be cumbersome and time-consuming—especially during busy travel times like the holidays, peak travel seasons, and major sporting events.
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That’s why travelers love airports that offer checked luggage before arriving at the terminal. These drop-off locations may be located in parking lots and remote locations, rental car return centers, or even in some cases at convention centers and cruise ships.
This week, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) joined the remote bag-check club by launching early bag-check service in anticipation of spring break and spring training crowds.
This free and convenient service is operated by Bags, which also offers this amenity at some other airports. Passengers can leave their luggage at a PHX Rental Car Center or Eastern Economy Parking Lot, print any required boarding passes, ride the PHX SkyTrain, and skip the ticket hall entirely.
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Of course, there are some rules and restrictions:
- While the early check-in service is free, any required airline baggage fees will apply
- Currently, the service is limited to passengers flying on five airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines
- Each passenger can only check two pieces of luggage remotely
- The remote bag drop counter is open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. (including holidays)
- Bags must be checked in at least 90 minutes before scheduled departure time and no more than 4 hours before flight departure (as per airline policy)
Passengers can skip the ticket hall bag check lanes by using curbside bag check (available on select airlines) or concierge services like Clear.
Here are some other airports across the country that currently offer some form of remote bag drop option. Be sure to check with the airport for participating airlines, locations and operating hours as these may change:
- Charleston International Airport (CHS): Free Check ‘N Go bag drop program available daily at parking and rental car centers
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS): LAS Curbside Concierge provides remote baggage services at the airport rental car center and Terminal 3 departure curbside
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): Park MSY Express economy garage offers Check ‘N Fly remote baggage check-in service
- Orlando International Airport (MCO): Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels and flying Southwest Airlines may check bags at the hotel
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Remote baggage drop-off is available at SFO’s long-term parking garage (in front of the AirTrain station) and rental car center
- Tampa International Airport (TPA): Travelers can check luggage at the TPA Rental Car Center
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Many airlines also offer remote baggage check-in when cruise passengers arrive at the ports of Orlando International Airport (MCO), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
