Airline Bike Policies

Going on a trip? Well, you are definitely going to need your bike. This page will help you see all of the ways that League members can get there and riding at the lowest possible cost. If you are not yet a member please join now.

Click a link to learn more:
Airline Bicycle Policies
League Member Discounts
Do-It-Yourself Shipping
Rental Car Deals

Bikes Fly Free Cancellation

Much to our dismay, the Bikes Fly Free program has been discontinued effective March 2006. Adventure Travel withdrew from the program earlier this year due to lack of participation by the airlines. Currently we are working with several airlines to have the program reinstated. Please take a minute to tell the airlines that you want bikes to fly free.

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Airline Bicycle Policies

Southwest Airlines Non-motorized Bicycles including Bike Friday and Co-Pilot (which measures 26x26x10 inches) or, meeting the following criteria can be checked for no charge: the bicycle is properly packaged; fits within the 62-inch sizing limit and weighs 50 lbs or under. The handlebars, kickstand, and pedals must be removed and placed inside the box. A $50.00 each-way charge applies to bicycles that don’t meet the above criteria. Bicycles packaged in a cardboard box or soft-sided case will be transported as a conditionally accepted item. Bicycles meeting the following criteria can be checked for no charge: fits within the 62-inch sizing limit and weighs 50 lbs or under. The handlebars, kickstand, and pedals must be removed and placed inside the box.

United Airlines Bicycles are considered oversized baggage and are assessed a special handling charge because of size, fragility, or other handling requirements. There is a charge for checked items between 62 linear inches and 115 linear inches ($80.00 per piece). We will not accept or check items in excess of 115 linear inches (length + width + height). No single dimension may be more than 62 inches.

Continental Airlines Continental Airlines accepts a non-motorized touring or racing bicycle with single seat as checked baggage. A bicycle is not included in a customer's free baggage allowance and is subject to a $80.00 service charge (each way). The following are bicycle restrictions: Handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed, or all loose items must be enclosed in plastic foam or similar protective material, or bicycle should be transported in a sealed box. If a box is needed, see the container section of website. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply. For International bicycle information, contact Continental Airlines Reservations at 1-800-525-0280.

Northwest Airlines Northwest/KLM accept non-motorized single seat bicycles as checked luggage. Handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed or wrapped with protective packing material. Bikes should be placed in a bike box. When packed other than in a bike box, liability release forms must be signed. NW accepts tandem bikes only for travel within/between the domestic US/Canada/Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands. Tandem bikes are also only accepted on 747/D10/757 and 727 type aircraft. Tandem bikes are not accepted on International Itineraries. KLM does not accept Tandems.

Charges: One way transportation fee per bike - up to 100 lbs. US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean - 1-6 Bikes USD 80.00/CAD 123.00 Each. 7 or More Bikes USD 180.00/CAD 277.00 Each. Bikes over 100 lbs must be sent air freight.

American Airlines A passenger is allowed 1 non-motorized touring or racing bike. Handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed. Or pedals and handlebars must be enclosed in plastic foam or similar material. The cost is $80. Exception: If bicycle and container are less than 62 linear inches and under 50 lbs., the bike is free in place of one 62 inch bag in the free allowance. Maximum Size and Weight: 100 lbs, 115 linear inches. Acceptance conditional on aircraft size and load conditions. If this item is in excess of the number of pieces allowed in the free baggage allowance, excess baggage charges apply in addition to the $80 special items fee.

Delta Airlines Non-motorized touring or racing bicycles with single seats for carriage are accepted as checked baggage, with certain limitations. Any bicycle presented in a box with overall dimensions not exceeding 62" or 157.5cm (length + height + width) and checked in lieu of one bag is accepted. Bicycles exceeding 62" are subject to charge. For domestic flights, an $80 fee applies to each checked bicycle up to six, and $180 for each bicycle seven and above. For international flights a $90 fee applies to each checked bicycle for passengers traveling on a Delta ticket, including codeshare flights. This fee may vary per carrier or destination. Any bicycle presented for carriage must be packaged in a cardboard or canvas container in one of the following ways: handlebars fixed sideways and pedals removed, or handlebars and pedals encased in plastic, Styrofoam, or other similar material. Some connection carriers and aircraft may not accept bicycles as checked baggage, and may have different limitations.

US Airways An extra charge applies for additional, overweight, and/or oversized pieces. In no event will US Airways accept baggage that weighs more than 100 pounds and/or baggage that measures in single dimensions more than 72 inches or combined dimensions exceeding 115 inches. Special items such as pets, surfboards, bicycles, scuba equipment, etc. are not included in the customer's free baggage allowance and are subject to an extra charge.

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Shipping Your Bike

Sports Express League members receive $10 off web or phone orders by using the code “bikeleague.” New for 2006: Ground Service Available! Everyone knows what a hassle traveling with your bike is. And we all know that we can ship it. But until now, shipping a bike has not been designed with the traveler in mind. That's why we created Sports Express. We have personal Travel Concierges monitoring your delivery every step of the way: from scheduling pickups, sending notifications (to you and the resort), handling special requests, to ensuring on-time delivery. We offer express and ground services. All this for about $15 more than you would pay a traditional carrier. Go ahead, use Sports Express for your traveling needs! Ground service may be booked by calling 1-800-357-4174. Express services may be booked online (sportsexpress.com) or by calling 1-800-357-4174. Travel Light with Sports Express!

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D.I.Y. Shipping

FedEx As an estimate, to ship a bike Fed Ex ground (1-5 business days) it costs $36.50 from New York, NY to Denver, CO and $ 42.99 from New York, NY to San Diego, CA
*Prices often vary depending on the shipping point and destination. Use Fedex to get a price.

UPS As an estimate, to ship a bike UPS Ground (1-5 business days) it costs $45.75 from New York, NY to Denver, CO and $54.00 from New York, NY to San Diego, CA
*Prices often vary depending on the shipping point and destination. Use UPS to get a price.
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RENTAL CAR DISCOUNTS

Navigant International Great benefits for League members! A number of car rental companies (including Alamo, Budget, Dollar, and Hertz) offer discounts of 5-10% (depending on the location) to League members; Budget also waives the special fee for drivers under 25. A number of major hotel chains around the world provide discounts of 5-25%, depending on the property, the time of year and availability. To get the car rental and hotel discounts, League members must book through Navigant International by calling 800-225-0655 and provide their membership number to the travel agent.

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