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Google Flights Now Tells You the Baggage Rules on Some Tickets

Emily McNutt
Emily McNutt
Contributor
March 09, 2017
•
2 min read
luggage storage
Google Flights Now Tells You the Baggage Rules on Some Tickets
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Since American Airlines and United Airlines implemented their basic economy fares last month, travelers have had to prepare to accept the terms of flying basic economy in exchange for a cheap ticket. And in the past couple of weeks, Google Flights has developed a tool that alerts you of the baggage rules when you're looking at a basic economy fare or one with a low-cost carrier.

If you're looking for your next ticket on Google Flights, the search tool is now making it easier to distinguish what kind of ticket you're buying. Say, for example, you spot a cheap round-trip fare between Dallas (DFW) and Tampa (TPA) with American. Once you click on your preferred flights, you'll have your summary, where you can then click to book directly through AA. Google Flights now displays a warning at the bottom of the page and above the booking link that informs you of AA's baggage policy for basic economy fares — one small personal item.

The platform also gives similar warnings for United's basic economy fares:

Note that Google Flights doesn't offer a basic economy fare warning for Delta, most likely because its basic economy fare allows travelers one full-size carry on and a personal item for free.

However, you'll continue to see other baggage info warnings on low-cost carriers' results with Google Flights, like with this Frontier flight between New York (LGA) and Miami (MIA).

And the same goes for Frontier's low-cost counterpart, Spirit on this flight between Chicago (ORD) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

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In all, this is a useful addition from Google Flights. When booking, travelers often go for the lowest price and sometimes forget about other costs associated with the ticket, such as baggage fees. And while we've known they exist with low-cost carriers, the implementation of basic economy fares on United and American could be surprising for travelers. It's helpful to be warned of the extra costs associated with your travel before completing your booking.

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto

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4XEarn 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.
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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.

Pros

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  • 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.