Travelers pick JetBlue Airways for its low fares, access to popular destinations and in-flight service. While many people carry their bags on the plane, others choose to check their bags so they can focus on enjoying the flight. If you're #TeamCheckedBags, you need to understand how much JetBlue baggage fees are, when they apply and how you can avoid paying them.

How many bags can you bring on JetBlue?

When flying with JetBlue, the number of bags you can carry on or check in, and the fees for doing so, vary based on multiple factors, including:

The type of ticket.

The destination.

The size of the luggage.

The weight of the luggage.

What credit card you have.

JetBlue carry-on allowance

All JetBlue fares include one personal item that can fit under the seat in front of you. This includes a backpack, purse, laptop bag, approved pet carrier and similar items.

Most JetBlue tickets include one carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin. However, sometimes the overhead bins fill up before you can board the plane, and you must gate-check a carry-on bag. Domestic travelers with Blue, Blue Extra or Mint fares or who purchased an Even More Space seat are guaranteed that their bag will make it on board.

Blue Basic fares don't include a carry-on bag. If these passengers attempt to bring a carry-on bag, they're charged $65 for the first or second bag or $180 for the third bag. Exceptions to this rule include:

Mosaic elite status members.

JetBlue transatlantic passengers.

Active U.S. military.

Unaccompanied minors.

JetBlue checked bag allowance

The airline offers five fare classes, and all except Blue Basic allow passengers to check bags. Some fare classes include the first checked bag for free, while others charge a fee.

To avoid an oversized-luggage fee, checked bags should be 62 inches or smaller in overall dimensions (length plus width plus height) or weigh less than 50 pounds.

Restrictions on the number of checked bags and their size or weight vary by destination. Destinations with specific limitations include:

Cuba.

Dominican Republic.

Ecuador.

Guyana.

Haiti

Peru.

Trinidad and Tobago.

Current JetBlue baggage fees

Fees for checked luggage vary depending on your:

Elite status.

Where you're flying.

The fare you select.

If you prepay for luggage in the app or during booking, or if you pay at the airport.

People with Blue Basic, Blue and Blue Extra fares pay a $35 fee for the first bag and $45 for the second for flights within the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean if paid at the airport or within 24 hours of departure. Flights between the U.S. and the U.K. or Europe are $65 for the first bag and $105 for the second.

If your fare doesn't include checked bags, you’ll save $5 per bag on the first two checked bags by paying in advance on jetblue.com or in the JetBlue app. The fee for a third checked bag (or more) is $200 per bag on flights to the U.K. and Europe and $150 on all others. For anything beyond the first two checked bags, travelers must pay at the airport or during check-in.

Here's what you can expect to pay for your first and second bags on JetBlue:

Within the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America

Between the U.S. and the U.K.

Overweight and oversized baggage fees

Excess baggage fees apply to checked bags that weigh more than 50 pounds or are more than 63 linear inches. Checked bags that are 51 pounds (23.13 kilograms) to 99 pounds (44.91 kilograms) are $150 per bag on domestic flights. On flights to or from the U.K. or Europe, the fee is $150 (£120/€140).

Linear inches measure the length, width and height of a checked bag. Bags measuring 63 inches (160 centimeters) to 80 inches (203.3 centimeters), including wheels and handles, owe a $150 fee per bag. The fee is $150 (£120/€140) on flights to or from the U.K. or Europe.

Bags over 80 inches or 99 pounds aren't accepted as checked luggage.

Sports equipment fees

Eligible sports equipment counts as a checked bag, including golf bags, fishing rods, skimboards, skis or snowboards. They can be added to your reservation at any time. Although they may be oversized baggage, there are no additional fees as long as it meets the weight limit. The same JetBlue baggage fees schedule applies to sports equipment as to a piece of standard luggage.

Credit cards that give a free checked bag with JetBlue

JetBlue offers three credit cards, but only two of them include free checked bags. The JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Business Card offer the first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to three companions on the same reservation. To qualify for this benefit, you must use your JetBlue credit card to book your ticket.

While the no annual fee JetBlue Card offers numerous benefits, it doesn't offer free checked bags.

Other credit cards that reimburse JetBlue checked bag fees

JetBlue credit cards aren't the only ones that help travelers avoid paying for baggage fees. Some travel credit cards offer annual credits that cover checked baggage fees. Here are a few travel cards that include these benefits.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Includes a $300 annual travel credit that automatically covers eligible travel purchases like checked bag fees.

The Platinum Card® from American Express. After selecting JetBlue as your preferred airline, the card's $200 airline fee credit covers JetBlue baggage fees and other similar charges.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Choose JetBlue as your airline to receive reimbursement of up to $250 each year for fees like checked bags, flight change fees and in-flight drinks.

Check-in times for checked luggage

All luggage must be checked-in at the airport at least 40 minutes before departure on U.S. domestic flights and 60 minutes for international flights. Passengers must check in their own bags unless they're checking in bags for their family.

JetBlue doesn't accept checked bags more than six hours prior to the flight's scheduled departure time. Flights departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, are an exception: Passengers cannot check in a bag more than four hours before those flights.

Prepaying for baggage

Not only can JetBlue passengers pay for their checked luggage ahead of time, but they'll also save $5 off JetBlue baggage fees on the first two bags by prepaying online.

In NerdWallet's most recent analysis of airline fees, we compared seat selection, checked baggage and overhead carry-on baggage fees charged by the major U.S. airlines on typical one-way fares. Here's how they stacked up:

Frequently asked questionsIs overhead bin space for most fares really guaranteed?

Overhead bin space is guaranteed for Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra or Mint fares on domestic flights within the U.S. Ticket upgrades to Even More Space seats also include guarantees that your bag will make it on board. For all other routes, overhead bin space is on a first-come, first-served basis, and some passengers may need to gate-check their carry-ons.

Do any JetBlue fares include free checked bags?

Yes, some passengers get the first checked bag for free, depending on where they fly. Blue Plus tickets include one free bag within the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. All fares between the U.S. and U.K. or Europe, except Blue Basic, include one free checked bag. JetBlue baggage fees are waived for the first two checked bags for all Mint passengers and Mosaic members. JetBlue Plus cardmembers also receive the first checked bag free, regardless of which fare they've purchased.

Are checked bag fees refundable?

JetBlue baggage fees are refundable when canceling your flight before its scheduled departure. However, the fees aren't refundable if you travel on the flight but decide not to check a bag. The refund goes back to the original form of payment.

Are there any exceptions to the new Blue Basic no-carry-on-bag rule?

While Blue Basic fares generally don't allow carry-on bags, some passengers can override this restriction. Mosaic members, transatlantic passengers, active U.S. military and unaccompanied minors can carry on a bag on a Blue Basic fare. Additionally, passengers who upgrade to an Even More Space seat are allowed a carry-on bag.

What will happen if I bring a carry-on with a Blue Basic fare?

Blue Basic passengers who attempt to carry on a bag face a $65 fee for their first and second bags. A third bag incurs a fee of $180. All bags must be checked for Blue Basic passengers, even after paying these fees. Passengers qualifying for an exception get these fees waived, and they're allowed to take their carry-on bags aboard the plane.

Is overhead bin space for most fares really guaranteed?

Overhead bin space is guaranteed for Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra or Mint fares on domestic flights within the U.S. Ticket upgrades to Even More Space seats also include guarantees that your bag will make it on board. For all other routes, overhead bin space is on a first-come, first-served basis, and some passengers may need to gate-check their carry-ons.

Do any JetBlue fares include free checked bags?

Yes, some passengers get the first checked bag for free, depending on where they fly. Blue Plus tickets include one free bag within the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. All fares between the U.S. and U.K. or Europe, except Blue Basic, include one free checked bag. JetBlue baggage fees are waived for the first two checked bags for all Mint passengers and Mosaic members. JetBlue Plus cardmembers also receive the first checked bag free, regardless of which fare they've purchased.

Are checked bag fees refundable?

JetBlue baggage fees are refundable when canceling your flight before its scheduled departure. However, the fees aren't refundable if you travel on the flight but decide not to check a bag. The refund goes back to the original form of payment.

Are there any exceptions to the new Blue Basic no-carry-on-bag rule?

While Blue Basic fares generally don't allow carry-on bags, some passengers can override this restriction. Mosaic members, transatlantic passengers, active U.S. military and unaccompanied minors can carry on a bag on a Blue Basic fare. Additionally, passengers who upgrade to an Even More Space seat are allowed a carry-on bag.

What will happen if I bring a carry-on with a Blue Basic fare?

Blue Basic passengers who attempt to carry on a bag face a $65 fee for their first and second bags. A third bag incurs a fee of $180. All bags must be checked for Blue Basic passengers, even after paying these fees. Passengers qualifying for an exception get these fees waived, and they're allowed to take their carry-on bags aboard the plane.

JetBlue baggage fees recapped

When flying on JetBlue, you may incur fees for checking a bag. JetBlue baggage fees vary based on your destination, the type of ticket or the size of your luggage. You can waive checked bag fees by buying certain fare classes, earning Mosaic elite status or having the right credit card. Extra fees apply when checking multiple bags, if a bag is too large or it weighs too much. Some passengers avoid checked bag fees by stowing their luggage in the overhead bins during boarding.