Hi, veteran flyers. Hope you will be able to help me out. I'm a newbie who doesn't travel much - I tried to find an answer to this question in other posts and forums but couldn't. I aplogize sincerely if this has already been covered.

I'm travelling from Chicago (ORD) to Mumbai, India (BOM) on Dec23 by Air India, Economy class. As per the Air India site, I'm allowed :

Free Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces

The sum of the 3 dimensions (length + breadth + height) of both must not exceed 107 inches. Moreover the linear dimension of each piece should not exced 62 inches.

The weight of each bag must not exceed 50 pounds or 23 Kilos

My problem is, I'm expecting to have some excess baggage. To my mind, there are three possible scenarios:

1) I check in an additional bag - The standard fee seems to be $130

2) Just two bags, one bag exceeds 50 lbs - the standard fee seems to be $50 for up to 70 lbs

3) I check in just two bags, under 50 lbs each, but both of 60 inches linear dimensions ( that is, I comply to the allowed number of bags and the prescribed weight limit, but slightly exceed the l+b+h limit of 107 inches.).

I see most airlines sites addressing the first two situations above, but not the third scenario. Can anyone tell me if I will be penalized, and how much?

I do understand that "oversized baggage" is usually charged $175. But "oversized" seems to be defined as a bag greater that 80 inches in linear dimensions, which is not my case (my bags will be around 60 inches l+b+h).

Thanks a lot. Hope you will be able to help!