While almost everyone knows the importance of cheap travel options, such as cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discount travel deals, and cheap vacation packages, itis surprising how many travelers do not even consider curbside check-in whenarriving at an airport.
Many people think of curbside check in as a throwback to atime when checked bags were free and fliers typically traveled with excessluggage.
Interesting though most airlines still offer curbside checkin and demands remains high, particularly during summer and holiday periods.
Savvy travelers sometimes regard curbside check in as atime saver that can usually be used both to check in with the airline and checkbags. Others check in online and droptheir bags at the curb before heading into the airport. Universally, the biggest perk of curb sidecheck in is to not have to wait in line more than a few minutes, if at all.
People who tend to use curbside check in tend to have oneof the following characteristics:
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Travelingwith kids, particularly young children
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Travelingwith a lot of bags
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Anyonewho is in a hurry, including the chronically late, frequent travelers who tryto minimize transit time
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Anyonewho had to deal with traffic delays on the way to the airport
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Mobilityissues of select travelers who value the fact that the distance between car andbag drop is often no more than a couple of feet.
Another benefit people have observed with curbside check inis that frequently there they tend to interact with airline employees who arein relatively good moods. Whether it isthe fresh air, or the chance to earn a tip with each interaction, skycapsappear to be more positive when dealing with customers than their insidecounterparts.
The only downside of curbside check in tends to be that itcan be a little more expensive. Whilesome airlines continue to offer free curbside check in, others charge $2 perbag, in addition to their standard baggage fees. The transaction becomes more expensive giventhat tipping is an expected part of a skycap exchange.
The following are the curbside policies of a variety ofairlines:
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Americanoffers such check in at almost 30 airports, of which a few airports only offerseasonal curbside check in and Cincinnati that does not allow curbside check infor international travel. There are nofees to check luggage curbside, though tipping is encouraged.
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Deltaoffers curbside check in at about 100 airports. Again no additional fees are charged but gratuities are appreciated foroutstanding service.
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JetBlueoffers curbside check in at 24 U.S. airports, and charges $2 per bag checked atcurbside, with the exception of Washington Dulles, Washington Regan, andWestchester County White Plains airports where there is no charge to checkbags.
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Unitedoffers curbside check in for no additional cost at about 40 airports.
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VirginAmerica offers free curbside baggage drop off at San Francisco, Los Angeles(LAX), and Dallas Love Field airports for its passengers who have alreadychecked in online and are in possession of their printed or mobile boardingpasses.
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