But what are the airlines communicating with their baggage fees at the check-in point if you want your luggage checked through so that you no longer have to carry it?

FORBES: Avoiding Passenger Congestion

There's still an old-fashioned check-in counter, but most of the baggage drop points are self service.

WSJ: Flying Through the Airport

If you have an onward flight, you must reclaim your baggage from the carousel and check in again for the onward journey.

ECONOMIST: Low-cost airlines

He cited the difference between what the airlines think will placate customers--prompt ticket refunds, quoting lowest available fares and retrieving lost luggage--and what's really annoying travelers: flight delays, long check-in lines and the 20-minute wait at the baggage carousel.

FORBES: Hurry Up And Wait

The carrier is already experimenting with self-service baggage check- in.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

Curbside baggage check-in at most airports also will no longer be permitted, the FAA said, and no one without a ticket will be allowed beyond security checkpoints.

CNN: FAA imposes restrictions on e-tickets

TripAdvisor's app has a built-in baggage fee estimator: Tell the app how many bags you plan to check and whether you have elite status on any airlines that would waive bag fees and it builds the fee charges into fare quotes you get.

WSJ: To Take the Hassle Out of Traveling, Pack These Apps

Qantas won't disclose data on performance of the new technology, such as baggage-handling numbers or changes in average wait in airport check-in lines.

WSJ: Flying Through the Airport