Can You Store Your Family's Bags at the Airport?
The amount of gear necessary to travel with a family can feel overwhelming at times. Yet you may not need all of that stuff at your destination -- for example, why take winter coats and boots on a trip to Hawaii. Storing some of this stuff at your point of departure or connecting airport could make a lot of sense, but only a few US airports offer storage options these days and many are limited to 24 or 48 hours.
Where Did All Those Airport Storage Lockers Go?
Whatever happened to storage lockers at airports? Terrorism. At many airports lockers were taken out after Sept. 11, 2001, and never replaced. Still, a few short-term storage options remain at some US airports.
Why Store Bags?
For families, it's a significant convenience to be able to store armloads of ski jackets or a bag of gifts or sports gear or specialty clothing when you won't need it until your return. Some families also use storage services to make the most of a long layover so they can leave the airport to stretch their legs at a park, take a city bus tour, explore a children’s museum or dine at a local restaurant.
What Stuff Can My Family Store at the Airport?
Consider short-term storage for:
- Winter coats when traveling round-trip from a cold destination to a warm one.
- Bulky or fragile items. For example, if you buy fragile souvenirs on the first leg of your trip and don’t want to lug them with you, leave them at your connecting airport.
- Your luggage, if your layover is long enough to leave the airport and explore.
- Backup baby supplies, like diapers and changes of clothes, for use when you return.
Pay and Go
It doesn't cost all that much to store bags when you can find a concession at the airport. Expect to pay by the hour or by the day. For example, BagstoGo.net, which offers bag storage at all four terminals at the Ft. Lauderdale airport, charges $8 per day per bag, for up to 30 days.
There are a few things to be aware of when using a bag storage service:
- Be prepared for your bag to go through an additional security screening. It also might be subject to a hand search.
- Do not leave food, perishables, trash or anything else that might develop an odor or attract pests, in a stored bag.
- Be vigilant about the service's opening hours. The hours for bag storage services vary from airport to airport. Allow extra time to retrieve your bags.
- Expect to go through the security lines again. Most storage options are outside the security checkpoint.
Where to Find Airport Storage Lockers
Here are some the few US airports that offer baggage storage services:
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL): Bags to Go offers services in all four terminals. In Terminal 1, it's across from Baggage Claim Carousel 1. In Terminal 2, baggage storage is next to the Business Service Center on the Departures (Upper) Level near the TSA checkpoint entrance. If you're in Terminal 3, bag storage is in the Baggage Claim (Lower) Level across from Baggage Claim Carousels 4 and 5. And in Terminal 4, head to Baggage Claim (Lower) Level next to the Spirit Baggage Service Office. Hours of operation vary by terminal. $8 per bag. For more information, call (954) 359-5505.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP): Lockers operated by Smarte Carte are located in Terminal 1, inside security at the entrance to Concourse F and in the middle of Concourse C near Gates C2 and C13. The lockers employ fingerprint technology to make sure only the person who stores a bag can retrieve it. The fee for a locker (23 inches high by 15 inches wide by 35 inches deep) is $4 for the first hour and $1 for each hour thereafter, for a maximum charge of $12 per day. Note that bag storage is only for 48 hours or less. Lockers are emptied after 48 hours.
New York/JFK International Airport: Concessionaire API offers lockers at Terminal 1 Arrivals on the first floor and at Terminal 4 Arrivals on the first floor. Fees range from $4–$16 per bag, depending on size, for 24 hours. For more information, call (781) 751-2947 (for Terminal 1) or (781) 751-4020 (for Terminal 4).
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Airport Travel Agency offers bag storage ranging from $7–$10 per hour. Storage for golf bags, skis, surf equipment and dog kennels is also available for $35 for 24 hours and bikes can be stored for $40 for 24 hours. The bag storage service is located at the departure level, near the entrance to Concourse G. For more information, call (650) 877-0422.
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Find Smarte Carte baggage services at the baggage claim area of the Main Terminal. Prices range from $8–$22 per bag per day, depending on size. You can also rent car seats, strollers and wheelchairs here. For more information, call (206) 433-5333.
Pro Tip: Store Your Bags at the Airport Hotel
You can also check to see if a nearby airport hotel may store your bags while you are away if you spend a night there. Most hotels offer short-term luggage storage for guests while they are waiting for their rooms to be ready, so it never hurts to ask if they might extend that period for a few days. Alternatively, some hotels near airports offer packages that include a preflight stay, parking and storage. That option can be super-convenient for families that plan to park at the airport anyway.
Bottom Line
When the airport offers baggage storage, it can be a lifesaver for families on the go. Have you stored luggage at the airport, a nearby hotel or elsewhere? Would you do it again?
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.