What is valet check and how is it different than gate-checking a bag?
After squeezing everything you need for your trip into a carry-on that fits the airline’s allowed dimensions, it’s frustrating to have to check your bag at the gate because the overhead bins are full. When this happens, it’s called “gate checking”; it means you’ll have to wait at baggage claim after your flight lands and collect your bag there.
On certain flights, however, some airlines will “valet check” your bag instead. Here’s why this is usually a better option.
What is valet check?
Valet check is sometimes offered on regional flights using smaller planes that have limited overhead bin space. In these planes, the overhead bins are too small to fit standard carry-on rolling suitcases. (They’re typically only big enough for backpacks or duffle bags.)
For example, if you’ve booked a flight on American Airlines that is operated by the smaller American Eagle carrier, the airline website notes, “Regional flights on American Eagle planes have limited overhead bin space. If your carry-on is larger than personal-item dimensions, you must valet your bag before boarding. We’ll tag and check your bag at the gate for you free of charge. When you arrive, you’ll receive your bag on the jet bridge after exiting the plane.”
Typically, the gate agent will make an announcement before starting the boarding process that passengers with rolling carry-on suitcases must valet check their bag. Luggage tags will be distributed to attach to carry-ons. The bags are dropped in a designated area—usually the end of the jet bridge or the bottom of the stairs—during boarding. After landing, passengers wait on the jet bridge or at the bottom of the stairs for the valet-checked bags to be delivered.
How is valet-checking different than gate-checking a bag?
Valet checking is a faster and more secure way to check a carry-on bag. Passengers typically will only have to wait a few minutes to receive their bag on the jet bridge, and they will not have to leave the secured area and go to baggage claim (like they would with gate checking) to pick up their luggage. If you have a tight connection to make, you’ll have a better chance of catching your next flight with valet check than you would with a gate-checked bag.
One last piece of advice: If you valet check a bag, you may want to check out the plane window after you’ve boarded to make sure it is actually loaded onto the plane. I flew a regional carrier Denver-Houston to connect with a flight to Milan, Italy. About a dozen carry-on bags were valet-checked…and all were left on the tarmac. My carry-on chased me around Europe for three-four weeks; we were finally reunited when there were four days left in the trip. At least my first stop was a city where the clothes shopping is great!
Twist’s Take: Choose valet check over gate check; if your bag is collected via the former, don’t worry—you won’t have long to wait on the jet bridge for its return after the flight.
