Pack Like a Pro and Save Money on Baggage Fees
Hey There!
Have you noticed that some “budget” airlines are charging for carry on baggage?
For longer trips you may need to suck it up and pay to check a bag. But there are a few ways that you can get around it in most cases and save some of that cash for your vacation.
For short weekend getaways there is no need to pay for a checked bag or carry on when you use these simple tricks.
As of right now, there is no weight limit for “personal” items on flights. The airlines tell you that this can be a purse, laptop or backpack type item.
“Personal Items” size allowances vary by airline so check yours before you go. But most subscribe to the old “it must fit under the seat in front of you” rule.
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Use these Tips to Save Money on Baggage Fees:
1. This “personal sized item” bag with wheels.
Ah-mazing! I can’t tell you how many times I have ended up with a backache because of an overstuffed backpack.
The dimensions are 13*13*9 inches so it will work for just about any airline. There are bigger options out there but if you are like me and use multiple airlines to get the best flight deals than it’s better to go for one that works for any airline.
It has an easy access pocket in the front for things you need quick access to like your passport, phone, Kindle, snacks and ear buds. And, they come in a ton of colors.
2. Packing Cubes
Whether you are using a “personal item” to get through the weekend, a carry on or checked bag these are miracle cubes!
It’s unbelievable how much you can fit into these. And, they are great if you are sharing a bag with a kiddo or your honey. They keep all of your stuff separate and come in a few different sizes.
You can keep all of your stuff organized and you won’t have a jumbled mess by the time you reach your hotel. I got these for our last trip to Mexico. We went all-inclusive and didn’t need half of this stuff.
See why you should choose an all-inclusive trip to Mexico.
Three of us ( Thom, Ada and I) ended up sharing one checked bag for 8 days.
Plus, you can share a checked bag without mixing up all of your clothes. When you arrive, each person has their own bag.
These babies compress the heck out of everything. Next time we will only be taking our personal items and will walk away with an extra $120.00 that we’ll save on a checked bag. ( If you feel like you will be bringing back a ton of souvenirs than you can always check a duffel bag on the way back IF YOU NEED TO).
See…we still had room left over and we waaaay over-packed.
3. Bring a Kindle, E-reader or Your Phone instead of a book.
Ada, our tween loves the feel of hardback books. And, she is generally amicable to dragging them around.
But I am not, so I choose to take my Kindle with me because I can download several books and don’t have to worry about having to be “connected” read them. It’s a space-saver and they are much lighter.
I also downloaded the Kindle app to my iphone, but like the larger print of the Kindle if I am wearing contacts on the beach. ( Yeah, I am getting to the “my arms aren’t long enough to see that” age).
4. Pack less Shoes and stuff them with socks to save space.
I know that this may be hard to hear but you don’t need to pack ton of shoes. How many do you really need?
Think strategically here. Say you are going to Puerto Rico and will spend some time exploring the jungle, some time on the beach and some time in a club.
Wear the bulky hiking boots to the airport and pack your flip flops and strappy club shoes in your bag. They take up less space.
If you are packing tennis shoes or walking shoes make sure to stuff them with socks to save space as well.
5. Pack an extra plastic bag into the plastic bag that your shoes are traveling in.
Of course you are going to cover any shoes that you are taking in your bag with a sealed plastic bag. I mean, you don’t want to get to your destination and find that all of your freshly done laundry smells like feet. Right?
Of course. But, you’ll need to pack an extra plastic bag for your dirty laundry on the trip home.
Even if you wear every single thing in your bag, you don’t want to funk up that bag with dirty laundry b.o. forever. Unless you are planning on doing laundry on vacay…(no thanks).
I bet you’re thinking…”I’ll just get the plastic bag at the hotel”. That might work but sometimes the only options they have to offer are the small wastebasket size or a GIANT industrial size. I find it easier to just bring my own.
6. Skip packing any toiletries that you don’t need.
Toothbrush and floss, check. Hair care products that your hotel, Airbnb or local store will have? Nope.
I know that we all like “our” own brands of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and what-have-you.
But, if you can live without the giant hairspray bottle, flattening iron and the like for a few days than do it.
You can take one, quart sized bag with as many 2-3 oz bottles of whatever liquid that you can cram in there (booze included) on airplanes in the U.S..
So if you NEED to take special lotions or shampoo than these will save you from checking a bag.
As for hair care supplies, I usually take a healthy serving of ponytail holders and these spiral pins to keep my hair out of my face and look presentable. They make any tangled mess look like an “I did this on purpose” cute up-do.
I am not an expert at hair but look at how easy they are. Use the link above to get an AMAZING price on these.
Now that you know about these amazing ways to save money on baggage fees, learn how to make money while you’re traveling.
If you are a woman traveling alone check out what Kate says about it.…she does it all the time and is one smart lady.
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