Who doesn't dread a lengthy wait at baggage claim? Whether you’re returning home after a long trip, trying to make a tight international connection, or feeling excited about your upcoming vacation, getting your luggage quickly is a top priority. While some airlines get bags to the belt faster than others, there are three ways to ensure your bag is one of the first to appear. Here's how.
Be loyal or fly first class
Loyalty to an airline means eventual status, and status comes with certain perks. One of these perks is typically the prioritized handling of your checked luggage.
When you have this benefit, the airline staff will add a bright-colored tag to your baggage during check-in. This tag draws the attention of the baggage handlers so that they can ensure your bag will be among the first to hit the baggage carousel.
The status you need to receive this benefit is likely more accessible than you think. On United Airlines, for example, status can be reached in as few as six round-trip flights, plus the accumulation of qualifying loyalty points, which a credit card could help you obtain.
If you plan to fly fewer than 12 segments, you're still in luck. Priority bag handling is a perk also given to passengers ticketed in first class, regardless of status level.
Unfortunately, priority baggage handling cannot be purchased outright. While you can buy into Premier Access, which includes other perks such as priority boarding and priority check-in, priority bag handling is not included.
Fly regional carriers
If your luggage is gate-checked, you'll likely get it back sooner than those travelers heading to baggage claim. When the airline takes your bag at the gate because space has run out in the overhead bins or because the bins are too small for roller bags, you'll be able to collect your bag right by the plane without a trip to baggage claim.
Note that this is only true for bags checked at the gate by regional carriers (for example, think of United Express flights that Republic Airways operates). Passengers on such flights have their gate-checked bags returned on the jet bridge instead of at baggage claim. If you're flying on a mainline United flight, American flight, or Delta flight, even gate-checked bags are sent to the baggage carousel at your final destination and may come out in any order.
Questionable methods
Other methods travelers have tried to get their luggage to come out just behind the priority bags include being among the last to check in or checking your bag at the gate instead of at the departure counter. However, these methods are not guaranteed, as non-priority bags can be loaded onto the plane in any order, including last.