Saving & Spending Travel

Sun Country Airlines Baggage Fees: What to Expect and How to Avoid Them in [2024]

Sun Country charges fees for both carry-on and checked bags, but it’s possible to avoid them.

By Sarah Li Cain
and Erin Gobler

Edited by Gabriela Walsh

Updated Dec. 18, 2024

Although not as well known as other major airline carriers, you’ve likely come across Sun Country Airlines if you live in the Midwest — the company is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and flies to more than 50 popular destinations, including the sunny Caribbean.

Sun Country, like other budget airlines, makes a big portion of its revenue from the extra fees it charges passengers. In 2023, the airline collected over $100 million in baggage fees alone. That might look tiny in comparison to what an airline like American collected over the same time period, but if you take into account the relatively small size of Sun Country, they actually collect much more per passenger than American.

In 2023, more than 210 million passengers flew on American Airlines and the airline collected an average of $6.44 in baggage fees per passenger. Compare that to Sun Country with its 4 million passengers and $24.63 in baggage fees per passenger.

If you're flying Sun Country, it's worth the time to understand the baggage policy and see if you can save some money.

In this article

What is Sun Country’s baggage policy?
How to lower or avoid Sun Country baggage fees
FAQ about Sun Country baggage fees
Bottom line

What is Sun Country’s baggage policy?

Sun Country’s baggage policy lays out how much you’ll pay for your bags depending on the type of luggage and when you book it. Fees are applied for each bag, per person, and are priced each way. We’ll walk through Sun Country’s baggage fees in the next few sections, but you can find a quick summary of their fees in the table below:

	When you book your flight	After booking your flight	At the airport gate
Personal item	$0	$0	$0
Overhead bin item	$30–$40	$50	$55 (plus a $10 gate handling fee)
First checked bags	$32–$40	$50	$55 (plus a $10 gate handling fee)
Second and third checked bags	$45	$60	$65 (plus a $10 gate handling fee)
Oversized items	Additional $20–$100	Additional $20–$100	Additional $20–$100

Sun Country carry-on luggage fees

All Sun Country flights allow passengers to take a personal item that can fit under a seat for free. These under-seat items are usually purses, backpacks, small duffel bags, and other small items. According to the Sun Country Airlines carry-on policy, this item cannot be larger than 17 inches x 13 inches x 9 inches.

In addition to your personal item, there are a few other things Sun Country allows you to bring on the airplane for free, including:

FAA-approved medical equipment (including portable oxygen concentrators)
Mobility items such as wheelchairs and walking canes
FAA-approved child restraint systems (as long as the child has a ticket)
Diaper bags and breast pumps

You can also bring car seats and strollers to be checked at the ticket counter at no cost.

Unfortunately, unlike many major airlines you may have flown with, Sun Country does charge baggage fees for bags in the overhead compartment. The cost varies slightly by flight, as well as when you purchase the bag. You can use Sun Country’s bag pricing calculator to find out the cost of a carry-on back for your flight.

If you pay for your overhead bag at the time of booking on SunCountry.com, you’ll pay between $30 and $40, depending on your flight. If you book your overhead bag after booking your flight, either online, over the phone, or when checking in at the airport, you’ll pay $50. Finally, if you wait until you reach the gate at the airport, you’ll pay $55. At the gate, you’ll also pay an additional $10 Gate Handling Fee.

If you forget to pay for carry-on baggage when you book your ticket, make sure to do so before you reach your gate to avoid the highest baggage fees. You can pay on the website by going to My Trips, during online check-in, or by calling Reservations at the time of booking. You can call Reservations at 651-905-2737, Monday through Sunday, from 6am-11pm (Central Time).

Please note: If you call Reservations after your booking, you will be charged a higher rate.

Carry-on items intended for the overhead bin cannot be larger than 24 inches x 16 inches x 11 inches and no more than 35 pounds. Basically, it must fit inside the sizer box, which you will find at the ticket counter or the gate. If it’s larger than these measurements, then you’ll have to check your bag.

Sun Country checked baggage fees

Sun Country Airlines charges for all checked bags. And just like with carry-on bags, the price varies depending on your specific flight and when you pay for your luggage.

Your first checked bag will cost you between $32 and $40, depending on your flight. If you wait until after booking your flight, you’ll pay $50, and if you wait until you get to the gate, you’ll pay $55 plus a $10 Gate Handling Fee. For your second and third checked bags, you’ll pay $45 when you book your ticket, $60 after booking your ticket, and $65 plus a $10 Gate Handling Fee if you want until you arrive at the gate.

According to Sun Country’s baggage allowance, checked luggage should be no more than 50 pounds and 62 linear inches. Bags over the 50-pound weight limit or 62-inch limit will face extra charges on top of the checked-bag fee. Overweight bag charges vary:

51 to 60 pounds: +$20
61 to 99 pounds: +$60
63+ linear inches: $100
Special sporting equipment: $100

If your bag is 70 pounds or more, you won’t be able to check it on flights to and from Canada, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Sun Country will not accept any checked luggage weighing more than 100 pounds.

Oversize bags are also subject to additional charges. Bags larger than 63 linear inches will set passengers back an additional $100. Sporting equipment will cost you $100 to check.

Some sporting equipment may be able to count as one of your checked bags, but it depends on what you’re bringing. For example, equipment for skiing, bowling, hockey, fishing, golfing, and lacrosse may count as your checked bags. Meanwhile, larger sports equipment like scuba-diving equipment, surfboards, and bicycles require an additional fee.

Finally, if you have musical equipment that doesn’t fit under your seat or in the overhead bin, you can either purchase the equipment its own ticket or count it as a checked bag.

Call Sun Country Reservations at 651-905-2737 to find out what fees you might pay when transporting special items.

As we mentioned, baggage fees vary by flight. You can use Sun Country’s bag pricing calculator to estimate your costs. Here are a couple of examples of baggage fees charged on specific Sun Country flights that we found using the calculator.

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How to lower or avoid Sun Country baggage fees

Unfortunately, Sun Country’s baggage fees tend to be a bit more expensive than many other airlines, especially for carry-on bags in the overhead compartment. The good news is there are a few ways you can reduce your bag fees — or avoid them altogether — when you're on a Sun Country Airlines flight.

1. Only pack a personal item

Sun Country doesn’t charge you for a bag you can stow under your seat. For short trips, limiting your luggage to one personal item could save you up to $55 for one bag on a one-way flight and up to $110 on a round trip.

Unfortunately, limiting yourself to only a personal item doesn’t work for many trips. Unless you’re only traveling for a couple of days, you may have a hard time packing that light. However, there are a few other strategies you can try.

2. Pay for baggage during booking

Paying for Sun Country Airline baggage fees before you head to the airport could save you money on fees — $20 or more round trip. The cheapest time to pay for your bags is when you book your ticket. Meanwhile, waiting until you arrive at the gate results in the highest fee.

Also, make sure to weigh your bags before checking in. The last thing you want is to find out your bag is above the maximum weight restrictions. In that case, you could end up either having to check your bag or pay additional fees (or both).

3. Join Sun Country Rewards

Sun Country Rewards is the airline’s loyalty program that allows you to earn points to redeem on travel. You can earn two points per dollar spent directly with Sun Country and one point per dollar on bookings through travel agents or third-party sites.

Once you’ve earned Sun Country points, you can redeem 100 points for $1 on Sun Country purchases, including baggage fees.

Sun Country Rewards is free to join, so if you plan to travel with Sun Country regularly (or even just occasionally), there’s really no downside to signing up. The worst-case scenario is you never earn enough points to cover your baggage fees, and then you’re really no worse off than you were before.

And to give you an idea of just how points can add up, if you pay $500 for a plane ticket directly through Sun Country, you’ll earn 1,000 points — that’s the equivalent of $10 in rewards.

4. Bring your military documentation

Active U.S. military personnel get one overhead and two checked bags for free. In addition, they get their oversized baggage fees waived for their first two checked bags. To qualify, you need to present your valid Common Access Card with “Uniformed Services” affiliation when checking in at the airport.

P.S. There are also other ways members of the military can save big by using credit cards.

5. Consider the Sun Country Visa Signature Card

While the Sun Country Visa Signature® Card doesn't make our list of the best airline credit cards, it could still be a good option if you're a frequent Sun County flyer. It helps you earn points toward Sun Country trips, and as a cardholder, you’ll receive 50% off your first bag if you pay for it online or by calling Sun Country Reservations.

Other perks include a 25,000-point welcome bonus, 10,000 anniversary bonus points, one free premium drink on flights, and priority boarding on Sun Country flights. There are also no foreign transaction fees, and points don’t expire as long as you’re a cardmember.

Unfortunately, this card does have an annual fee, so it’s likely only worth it if you fly with Sun Country regularly. I wouldn’t recommend signing up to save money on just a single flight.

6. Use a general travel card

A more flexible travel credit card not associated with one brand could help nab you free checked bags on Sun Country Airlines if you take advantage of annual travel credits.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® offers a $300 annual travel credit, which means you could be reimbursed for Sun Country costs. And the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card lets you earn rewards that you can use for statement credits to cover travel-related purchases, including baggage fees.

You'll want to compare offers to find the best travel credit card for your needs.

FAQs about Sun Country baggage fees

Do you get a free checked bag with Sun Country?

Checked bags are not included with your Sun Country ticket purchase. Only items that fit under the seat are free of charge. If you need to bring a checked bag, you can get the best price by purchasing the option at the time of booking.

How much does Sun Country charge for bags?

The cost of flying with bags with Sun Country depends on the type of luggage you bring. You can bring one under-seat item free of charge. However, you’ll pay anywhere from $30 to $55 for carry-on items placed in the overhead bin. You’ll pay between $34 and $55 for your first checked bag and as much as $65 for your third checked bag.

The amount you’ll pay depends on your specific flight and whether you check your bag at the time of booking, before going through security, or once you arrive at the airport.

Does Sun Country charge you for a carry-on bag?

Yes, Sun Country charges for some carry-on bags. While personal items that fit under the seat can be brought onboard free of charge, carry-on bags that you put in the overhead compartment will cost up to $30 at the time of booking and as much as $50 if you wait until you get to the airport.

Does a backpack count as a personal item with Sun Country?

Yes, but your backpack must fit under the seat in front of you. That means it should be no more than 17 inches high x 13 inches wide x 9 inches deep. An oversized backpack may be too large to be used as an under-seat item.

How early can I check my bags with Sun Country?

You can pay for checked bags with Sun Country as early as the time of booking. In fact, you’ll pay more for checked bags the longer you wait, so it’s a good idea to pay for your bags when you book.

How strict is Sun Country with personal items?

Your personal item needs to fit under the seat in front of you. That means it should be no more than 17 inches high x 13 inches long x 9 inches deep. If your personal item is too large, Sun Country will require you to pay an additional fee to place it in the overhead bin.

Bottom line

Saving money on flights involves more than just the airline ticket itself. Extra costs like baggage fees can add up quickly and contribute to the cost of your trip. If you know you’ll need to take more than just a personal item, make sure to budget for overhead or checked bags. Afterward, all you’ll need to worry about is checking in and enjoying your flight.

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