Skip the line: 6 airports that let you check your bags remotely
As airports and airlines attempt to innovate, one feature is becoming more widely available for travelers: the ability to check bags remotely before even stepping foot inside an airport.
During the bag check process, passengers can check in for their flights and receive boarding passes while dropping off their luggage at a mobile kiosk.
Bags, Inc. provides remote check-in for travelers at various locations, including airports, hotels, convention centers, parking areas, rental car areas and cruise ships.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the latest airport to launch its remote airline check-in service in partnership with Bags Inc., but this service is available at five other airports as of Dec. 10:
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Charleston International Airport (CHS)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
You must fly domestically on one of eight participating airlines at these airports. Carriers include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. Airline availability varies by airport.
This service is free, but airline baggage fees still apply as they would when checking bags curbside or inside with the airline.
Typically, bags must be checked at least 90 minutes ahead of flight departure, within operating hours.
Here's all you need to know about remote check-in by location.
San Francisco International Airport
The airport offers remote airline check-in service to those on domestic Alaska, American, Delta and JetBlue flights.
At SFO, travelers can remotely check their bags on Level 5 of the airport's long-term parking garage or Level 1 of the rental car center. From each location, travelers can connect to the airport terminals via the AirTrain.
Remote airline check-in is available at SFO from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Harry Reid International Airport
The Curbside Concierge at LAS is in the airport's Remote Lot across from the Rent-A-Car Center and at the departures curb in Terminal 3. It is available Thursday through Monday from 4 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Rent-A-Car Center and 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Terminal 3.
Currently, it's restricted to domestic flyers on American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and United.
You must check your bag at least 90 minutes before your flight's departure time.
Charleston International Airport
Charleston's Check 'N Go is a free bag check program for domestic flights. It is located in the airport's Daily Parking Garage in the Rental Car Center and curbside at the terminal.
Hours are 3:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. curbside and 3:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the parking garage.
"80% of passengers standing in check-in lines want to drop bags, and being able to alleviate that with CHS Check N Go makes it a much better passenger experience," Elliott Summey, CEO of Charleston International Airport, said via email.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Airline Baggage Check-in is available at MSY in the Park MSY Express economy parking garage at 800 Airline Dr.
This service is available for American, Delta, United and Spirit passengers from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
William P. Hobby Airport
Check 'N Fly Baggage Check-In Service is available 24/7 at HOU for U.S. American and Delta flights.
Travelers who valet in the Valet parking lot can access this service, so long as they check their bags at least an hour before their flight.
Tampa International Airport
At TPA, you can check in remotely in the Rental Car Center/Multi-Modal Facility or curbside. Both connect to the airport via the SkyConnect train.
Remote bag check hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Airport valet
In addition to its remote check-in service, Bags, Inc. also offers valet services for travelers. With a Metropolis valet operator, travelers can park their cars, check in for their flights, check their bags and receive boarding passes.
Valet is currently available at HOU, San Antonio International Airport (SAT), Appleton International Airport (ATW) and Portland International Airport (PDX).
Port valet
At Orlando International Airport (MCO), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), there's a remote check-in service available for cruise ships at cruise ports.
For example, JetBlue offers onboard cruise ship check-in for travelers docking at Port Canaveral and flying out of MCO; it offers the same for those docking in Port Everglades and Port of Miami and catching a flight out of FLL.
This is also the case for Alaska, American, Delta, Horizon, Southwest and United flights departing SEA after 12 p.m. Per the Port of Seattle, cruisegoers who sign up for this will receive their boarding passes and luggage tags on the final night of the cruise.
"Customers leave bags outside of the cruise ship estate room the night before disembarking and do not see the bags again until their home airport on the claims carousel," a Bags spokesperson said via email. "Bags manages all logistics off the ship to the airport."
Upon arrival at SEA, Bags will check your luggage to your final destination, but you can also track your bags online.
Bottom line
While reservations are not required to use remote check-in, some airport parking lots require advance bookings. Be sure to double-check entry requirements at your airport.
Remote airline check-in can help you save time at the airport this holiday season and beyond. Even better? It's free.
Related reading:
- SFO passengers can now check their bags in the parking lot
- Attention, Clear users: Expedited curbside bag drop-off service is now available in Denver
- TSA PreCheck travelers will no longer have to show ID or boarding pass at certain airports
- I tried the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at O'Hare — and it's a game changer
- TSA to pilot self-service security screening in Las Vegas
- Delta Air Lines hopes to speed passengers through airports with biometrics
- 7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
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