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How to Avoid Excess Baggage Fees
The sun is shining, the kids are out of school and time off has been cautiously saved for this special season. It’s time for summer vacation! Unfortunately, some predictable financial challenges arise during the summer months that can make vacationing a burden on your checkbook. Gas stations are known to raise prices and airlines increase their fees. In fact, airlines are now charging more than ever to check extra luggage.
For a family of four checking one bag per person, the fees for a round trip flight add up quickly. Many airlines charge up to $25 for the first bag checked and an additional $35 for the second. The third and fourth checked bags can run $100 each. And that’s just one-way! Double those numbers for a round-trip flight, and that means a family of four can spend up to $520 on baggage fees alone!
Luckily, there are many packing tips that can help limit the amount of baggage you’ll need to take. Here are some pointers that can help you reduce the amount of luggage you bring and minimize baggage fees:
Use shoes as storage. Shoes often take up the most amount of space in a suitcase, but they provide efficient storage space. Fill your shoes with socks, underwear, jewelry and other odds and ends to make the most of every inch in your suitcase.
Squish out excess air. Space Bag To Go Bags allow you to squeeze excess air out of items packed inside them. These compressible bags come in both push-down and roll-up versions to fit neatly in carry-ons and suitcases. You don’t need a vacuum cleaner to evacuate the air, and your items will stay compressed and protected. Bring an extra To Go bag and use it to store dirty clothing on the return trip, protecting other items in your suitcase from getting soiled.
Be practical. Instead of thinking about the trip as a whole, envision the situations you’re likely to encounter and the clothing items you’ll need for each event. Then think about how to mix and match your clothing to limit the number of things you’ll need to take. Read our Smart Packing For Summer Travel article for more information on exactly what to pack.
Ditch the toiletries. Most hotels provide travel-sized toiletries for their guests, either in the room or available from housekeeping. If you are unsure, call and ask. Also, ask if the hotel provides a blow dryer and – very important – how powerful it is. Many times, you can leave your bulky hair dryer at home.
Bulk up. Wear your bulkiest and heaviest clothing items – like shoes, boots and coats – on the plane to prevent them from taking up precious space in your luggage.
To see a side-by-side comparison of all major U.S. airlines and their checked bag fees, visit AirfareWatchdog.com.
