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What’s it cost to fly with your pet?

a dog sitting in a bag

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What’s it cost to fly with your pet?

Pet ownership isn’t cheap to begin with, but when it comes to flying…HOLY SMOKES – It’s a lot of paper to bring fido along.  Some airlines charge you by the segment, others a one-way fee. Some allow you to check your pet ( I couldn’t do that personally) and some don’t. They all have their own policy. So what’s it cost to fly with your pet?

AirlineCabin FeeChecked Fee
Alaska Air$100 per segment
$100
Allegiant$100 per segment$100
American Airlines$125 each way$200
Delta$125 one way in U.S.
$75 one to Brazil
$200 outside U.S.
Can not check pets, must be flown as cargo
Frontier$75 one wayCan not check pets
Jetblue$100 one wayCan not check pets
Southwest$95 one wayCan not check pets
Spirit$110 each wayCan not check pets
United$125 each way unless stopover is more than 4 hours, then another $125?
Virgin America$100 Main cabin/not allowed in premiumCan not check pets

Should Elites get this charge waived?

Right now I carry Executive Platinum status with American and Alaska’s MVP75. Both are top tier and both charge me to bring my dog along. However…I’m turning my back on AA and going after Alaska’s status for next year.  If American were to waive all pet fees for top tier elites…I’d reconsider that decision. Yes, the chart is worse. Yes, the points aren’t as valuable. But, I’m getting upgraded every time I fly and if I didn’t have to add on $125 each way every time I brought my dog, or find a someone to look after her…I’d value that enormously.

My bag fees, award redeposit fees, phone booking fees are all waived. Would pet fees be too much to ask?

Pet owners treat their pets like they are part of the family. If airlines kept the current restrictions for the number of pets in cabin, size,  etc I’d be fine with it. But if they correlated the cost to fly with your pet with the elite status you carried, it would go a long way with me, and I believe a long way with many people in my situation.

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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6 Comments

  • JRG July 9, 2017

    As an asthmatic I support no pets in the cabin..

  • Frances July 9, 2017

    Such a useful article. And a cute pic 🙂 Thanks!

    • Miles July 9, 2017

      Thanks so much Frances! She’s pretty cute alright 😉

  • James July 9, 2017

    Aren’t ESA free of charge?

    • Miles July 9, 2017

      Yep, ESAs are free, but this is all for pets

      • James July 9, 2017

        Uhm… between the cost of pets and the cost of turning pet into esa, which is more beneficial?

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