irishguy28

Gate checking fees for oversize handluggage are quite common, are they not?

I'm not aware of any airline that charges such fees making reference to whether or not a checked luggage allowance was included and used or not in order to determine whether the fee is waived - that would defeat the purpose of having the fee in the first place. Baggage checking should take place at check-in, observing the baggage check-in deadlines, and not at the gate [even though you instead wish to take your bag as carry-on in breach of the advertised baggage guidelines].

The purpose of the gate checking fee is to prevent customers from delaying the flight by delaying the boarding process (and the baggage loading process) with oversize bags not allowed into the cabin. If the worst that happens is that the bag is taken from them (at no fee) then that passenger is going to do the same again the next time - it incentivises them to try bringing check-in bags as carry on again next time.

It also makes the gate agents' job more difficult, when other passengers, having witnessed one person having their bag taken without charge, then demand to have their bag gate checked for free too. And the passengers who dutifully checked a bag will see that others get to have their check-in bags checked "for free" at the gate - meaning they will try the same next time, too.

All told, any such exception means that the policy breaks down, and increases the number of passengers bringing oversize luggage in an attempt to get it onboard.

The fee is to stop passengers bringing oversized bags to the gate. If an included checked baggage allowance didn't incentivise you to use it, and check the bag, then clearly a further incentive is required - hence the gate checking fee.

Note that, in assessing the gate checking fee, they will move you up to the much higher excess baggage rate if you have already used your checked baggage allowance - so at least you know that the fee could, in other circumstances, have been higher!

While we all like to get away from the airport as quickly as possible upon arrival, if your luggage is likely to be refused on board, and you have a checked luggage allowance that you otherwise won't benefit from, it's just better to check it in from the beginning.