Caribbean Airlines Baggage Fees Guide [2022]

Caribbean Airlines is one of the few airlines that allows you free checked baggage on a lot of your flights. But they did recently change their policy and so now the free baggage allowance is different from what it used to be. In this article, I will break down everything you need to know about the Caribbean Airlines baggage fees policies and discuss things like carry-ons, checked baggage, and more.

What are the Caribbean Airlines baggage fees?

Caribbean Airlines baggage fees will depend on the type of fare that you book. For a Classic Fare you will be given one free checked bag and your second checked bag will cost $40. Keep reading below for more details about the baggage fees policy!

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How can I avoid the baggage fees?

There are a few ways that you can avoid baggage fees on Caribbean Airlines.

Credit cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the hottest travel rewards credit cards. It earns 3X the points on dining and travel and comes with a host of valuable benefits. One of these perks is a $300 travel credit that can be used on anything that codes as travel, including baggage fees.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

One of my favorite cards to use to cover miscellaneous travel purchases is the Capital One Venture card. It’s a popular credit card that comes with a bonus of 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months.

It earns 2% cash back on all purchases toward travel and the points can be used to cover virtually any travel purchase. This means you could purchase your baggage fees on this card and then get reimbursed later on.

Caribbean Airlines personal item allowance

Caribbean Airlines allows you to bring on one personal item which typically is something like a a handbag, backpack, briefcase, or laptop bag. The maximum size for a personal item is: L13″ x W17″ x H6.”

Caribbean Airlines carry-on allowance

Caribbean Airlines will allow you to fly with one free carry-on, regardless of what type of ticket that you purchase. The maximum size for a carry-on item is: L22″ x W14″ x H9″ and the max weight is 22 pounds or 10kg.

Tip: Get all the tips and pointers you need for your checked bags in our ultimate guide to checked luggage!

Caribbean Airlines checked bag fees

The amount that you will be charged for your baggage fees just depends on your route and the type of ticket that you have purchased. Also, there are some exceptions for certain folks which I will discuss below.

Domestic travel

Domestic travel for Caribbean Airlines is travel between Trinidad and Tobago. If you are flying an economy fare, your first checked bag will be free and after that you will be paying 3 TTD per kilogram. 3 TTD = ~.44 USD. 50 pounds is 22.6 kg. so for a 50 pound bag, you would be paying around 66 TTD or about $10 USD.

International travel

Your checked baggage fees for international travel will depend on the type of fare that you purchased. Caribbean Airlines recently changed the types of fares offered and now they offer five different types of classes:

• Lite
• Classic
• Flex
• Biz
• Biz Flex

If your ticket was issued after November 7, 2019 then the following rates will apply.

First checked bag

• Lite: USD 30/CAD 40
• Classic: Free
• Flex: Free
• Biz: Free
• Biz Flex: Free

Not many airlines offer a free checked bag for standard fares such as the Classic Fares offered by Caribbean Airlines.

So it is nice to see an airline allowing passengers to fly with a checked bag for free.

Caribbean Airlines used to allow two free checked bags but now they no longer do that and you would have to fly with an airline like Southwest Airlines if you wanted two free checked bags.

Second checked bag

• Lite: USD 40/CAD 55
• Classic: USD 40/CAD 55
• Flex: Free
• Biz: Free
• Biz Flex: Free

Third checked bag

• Lite: USD 150/CAD 200
• Classic: USD 150/CAD 200
• Flex: USD 150/CAD 200
• Biz: USD 150/CAD 200
• Biz Flex: Free

The thing to note here is that business class fares only get three free checked bags if they are the more expensive flexible type of fare. This is different from some US domestic airlines that allow business class three free checked bags regardless of the type of business class fare purchased.

Fourth checked bag

• Lite: USD 175/CAD 235
• Classic: USD 175/CAD 235
• Flex: USD 75/CAD 235
• Biz: USD 175/CAD 235
• Biz Flex: USD 175/CAD 235

Overweight bag

• Lite: USD 75/CAD 90
• Classic: USD 75/CAD 90
• Flex: USD 75/CAD 90
• Biz: USD 75/CAD 90
• Biz Flex: USD 75/CAD 90

Oversize bag

• Lite: USD 75/CAD 90
• Classic: USD 75/CAD 90
• Flex: USD 75/CAD 90
• Biz: USD 75/CAD 90
• Biz Flex: USD 75/CAD 90

CAD prices only apply to flights that are departing out of Canada.

Certain passengers can get a free second checked bag with the purchase of a Classic fare. These include Caribbean miles members who have executive gold, and gold and silver tiers. Also tertiary level students can also get a free second checked bag in accordance with the student policy.

Embargoes

Like some other airlines, Caribbean Airlines has certain restrictions on the amount of baggage you can check when flying during certain times. During the travel periods specified below, excess baggage pieces, excess weight or boxes will not be accepted when checking in for flights to/from Grenada and North America (USA or Canada).

• Summer Embargo: 01 June – 30 September
• Winter Embargo: 01 January – 31 January; 01 December – 31 December

This means that boxes, overweight/oversized bags, or baggage pieces in excess of checked baggage allowance will be accepted as Cargo only. If you have purchased a Lite fare then you should know that the first bag purchased is NOT subject to embargo. 

Special items

Certain sporting equipment and musical instruments that are within the maximum dimensions allowed can be transported at no extra cost as part of your free checked baggage allowance. 

Sports equipment

Archery

You may bring one bow and one quiver of arrows. This should be transported in a proper soft or hard bow and arrow case.

Bicycle

You may bring one single seater that is non-motorized. The cycle must be placed in a cardboard container with pedals and handlebars encased in plastic foam or fixed sideways and pedals removed. You should also deflate your tires.

Boogie board

Boogie boards must not exceed 62 inches and any fins must be padded and taped in order to avoid damage.

Cricket

You may bring in baths, wickets, pads and balls.

Field hockey

Acceptable field hockey equipment include sticks, balls, and pads in one equipment bag.

Musical instruments

Guitars

Guitars are accepted in a hard carrying case.

Violins

Violins are accepted in a hard carrying case.

You can read more about traveling with sports equipment here.

Certain types of adventurous equipment is not accepted as a carry-on item or in checked baggage.

These items include things like equipment for hang gliding, kayaks and canoes, steel pans, and also windsurfing boards and sail boards. If you are trying to transport equipment like this then you should contact Caribbean Airlines and inquire with the cargo department.

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Prohibited items

Caribbean Airlines has a list of prohibited items that cannot be brought on either domestic or international flights.

These items include the following:

• Security attaché case, cash boxes, cash bags, etc., which may contain lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic materials except as permitted in 2.3.2.6 of the IATA DGR
• Disabling devices such as mace, pepper spray, etc., containing an irritant or incapacitating substance. 
• Liquid oxygen canisters.
• Electro shock weapons.
• Strike anywhere matches 
• Blue flame or cigar lighters and Lithium Battery-Powered Lighters
• Small vehicles powered by lithium batteries, hoverboards, mini-segways, balance wheels
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 device
• Damaged or Safety Recalled Lithium Batteries 

Caribbean Airlines also has a long list of other items that are allowed but subject to certain limitations or restrictions.

These type of items include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Ammunition
• Avalanche rescue backpack
• Smart luggage
• Batteries including with lithium
• Camping stoves
• Dry ice
• E-cigarettes
• Gas cartridges

One of the restrictions that stand out is the one on Apple MacBook Pros that are 15 inches. You can bring these with you as a carry-on item but you cannot use them on the flight. You can read more about these items here.

Missing or delayed baggage

If your baggage is missing or delayed then you need to contact a Caribbean Airlines representative at the airport before leaving. They will ask you to supply your ticket stub which will have your tracking number for your baggage so be sure to keep that on hand just in case something happens.

Caribbean Airlines will do everything they can to return your baggage to you within 48 hours. Typically you will have a choice of whether or not you want your baggage delivered to your home/hotel or if you want to pick it up at the airport.

This is why I like to book my ticket with a credit card that offers baggage delay insurance. Because if your bag is delayed then you will be able to spend a few hundred dollars on certain types of necessities and even clothes.

Damaged or missing contents

If you realize that some of your baggage is missing or damaged then you need to file a report as soon as possible. Ideally, you would file a report before you ever leave the airport. You would simply need to contact a Caribbean Airlines representative and they should issue a property irregularity report.

If you don’t realize that the damage has occurred until you have left the airport then you must file a written claim within seven days of receiving your baggage. Do your best to keep track of all of your documents like your boarding pass stubs and baggage tags.

And if you had belongings in your baggage, then you should also keep track of receipts and proof of purchase.

Final word

Caribbean Airlines has a pretty generous baggage policy allowing passengers to fly with one checked bag for free with most tickets. After that, the prices are pretty reasonable and the requirements are pretty clear with respect to dimensions and weight limits. You just need to be careful about some items that cannot be transported or used during your flight such as MacBook Pros.