Travel experts reveal hack to secure overhead bin on board your plane every time

Don’t wing it.

If you’re hoping to get overhead bin space on the airplane so you don’t have to check your bag, there’s one thing you can do to better your chances.

Passengers with disabilities who require special assistance have the opportunity to board first by law. Depending on the airline, other groups such as families with young children or active military members may also get early boarding.

After that, passengers must wait for their boarding group to be called, which typically is dependent on the kind of airfare you booked or your status with the airline.

Those in later boarding groups are usually at risk of needing to check their bags at the gate due to a lack of overhead space.

According to experts, there’s one hack that will secure you a coveted bin.

“The number one reason to buy the early boarding upgrade is if you have a carry-on for the overhead bin,” Sara Wilcox, an advisor at Fora Travel, a travel agency in New York City, told CNBC.

Priority boarding is “basically the race to get our carry-on suitcases in the overhead bins,” Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research Group, a travel industry market research and advisory firm, added.

Sometimes, early boarding is offered as an add-on when you first book your flight or as the date of the flight gets closer. The cost varies by airline, and sometimes the flight duration can determine the price as well, Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet, said.

“If overhead space is important to you, you do need to pay for priority boarding,” French emphasized.

However, there are other ways to move your boarding group up without paying for the upgrade add-on.

Harteveldt suggested having a travel credit card with an airline and using it to book the plane ticket to help you move closer to elite status. People with elite status on an airline are usually among the first to board.

If you travel a lot, it may be worth procuring one of the cards since they often have other perks associated with them, such as free or discounted checked luggage fees. Be sure to read and understand the card’s terms before applying.

Another way would be to book a premium economy or main economy ticket. Those without status who bought a discounted or restricted coach fare are likely to board last.

Booking premium or main economy airfare allows you to pick a seat and “you’re also bumped up in an early boarding position,” French said — but it’s a more expensive option to get on the plane early.

Some passengers may be able to use points or miles to upgrade their seats if they have enough with the airline.