Check Carry-On Luggage for Free
Last Year, two insightful events happened at two airports while flying from Grand Rapids to Miami.
At the Grand Rapids International Airport, I asked the lady at the Delta Air Lines counter how much it cost to check a bag. She said $30. I then asked if I could check my carry-on for free since I always check it at the gate. She said yes. Not having to pay a dime to avoid lugging my luggage around at two airports was awesome.
When possible, I check my luggage at the gate but this was the first time I asked if I could check it before going through security. I now wonder if it’s always free to check carry-on luggage.
At the Atlanta International Airport, I asked the lady at the Delta gate for an aisle or window seat. I didn’t want to sit in the middle seat for the second consecutive 2-hour flight. I almost didn’t ask because I figured the plane was full.
My second wish of the day was granted.
Ask
You don’t know what you don’t know. Ask.
If I hadn’t asked if I could check my carry-on luggage for free, I would have had to lug my luggage around the airport. I’ll likely now avoid having to do this many times in the future without paying a dime.
If I hadn’t asked if an aisle or window seat was available, I would have sat in the middle for another two hours. Doing so is no big deal, but I prefer not to sit in the middle. Moving forward, whenever I’m assigned a middle seat, I’ll be more inclined to ask if an aisle or window seat is available.