A Utah woman shared a clever way to avoid paying a large baggage fee at the airport. Kennedy Hira (@kennedyhira9) posted a video on TikTok showing how she got around Southwest Airlines’ $100 overweight bag fee. Her video has been viewed 1.6 million times, and many travelers are now talking about her trick. According to Brobible, Hira was given a bright blue Southwest Airlines duffel bag at the airport. Many people online are calling it the “bag of shame” because it shows everyone that your original bag was too heavy. However, this embarrassing bag actually helped her save money. Instead of paying the $100 overweight fee, Hira bought the duffel bag for $25 and moved some items into it. Since a checked bag costs $35, she paid $60 total instead of $100. This saved her $40, even though it meant carrying around a bright blue bag with the airline’s logo on it. The duffel bag trick highlights frustrations with airline baggage fees Hira explained how the trick works in the comments of her video. “While a checked bag costs $35, the duffel bag, which she presumably bought at the airport, costs only $25,” she wrote. By splitting her belongings between two bags instead of paying the overweight fee, she cut her costs by $40. The math is simple but effective for budget-conscious travelers. The bright blue duffel bag with Southwest’s branding has become something of a symbol among frequent flyers. While it might be embarrassing to carry around such an obvious marker of an overweight bag situation, many travelers are willing to deal with the shame if it means keeping more money in their pockets. The bag is sold at airport counters and has become a common sight at Southwest gates. @kennedyhira9 actually embarrassing but I guess we’re building character #travel #foryoupage #trending #southwest #fyp ♬ Woop Baby – Letherette Many people commented on the video, with some pointing out how strange the situation is. They noted that the airline is basically making passengers buy another bag that takes up the same amount of space and has the same weight. The only difference is that the weight is now split between two bags instead of one. Some viewers called the policy confusing, while others praised Hira for finding a loophole in the system. Airlines have been facing growing criticism for their policies, with some passengers experiencing unusual transportation alternatives for their flights. These incidents have made travelers more aware of the various fees and policies that can affect their journeys. Baggage fees have become one of the biggest complaints among air travelers in recent years. Other travelers said they have done the same thing. Some admitted they now bring these bright blue duffel bags on trips just in case their bags end up being too heavy. The bag has become well-known among frequent Southwest flyers. A few commenters even joked that they keep one folded up in their suitcase as a backup plan for every trip. @beehivenews I’m telling you, get the credit card #fyp #southwestairlines #swa #checkedbag ♬ original sound – Brandi | Keeping up with B The airline recently raised its checked bag prices to $35 for Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred passengers, according to Brobible. Only Choice Extra passengers still get their first two checked bags for free. According to reports, these price increases are due to rising fuel costs. Fuel prices have jumped significantly in recent months, putting pressure on airlines to increase various fees. The cost of fuel has been a major factor in airline pricing decisions. Industry experts say that when fuel costs rise, airlines often pass those expenses on to customers through higher ticket prices and additional fees. This has led to more travelers looking for ways to save money wherever they can, even if it means using workarounds like the duffel bag trick. Travel concerns have extended beyond baggage fees recently, as a flight attendant’s mysterious disappearance during layover raised safety questions in the industry. These various issues have made passengers more cautious and more willing to share their experiences online.