Budget Travel Advice: minimizing luggage expenses

Carry it on: Pros

Cost Savings:

Avoid Checked Luggage Fees: Many airlines charge fees for checked bags, especially for domestic flights. Carrying your luggage on can save you these fees.

Convenience:

Immediate Access: Having your luggage with you means you have immediate access to your belongings during the flight and layovers. This is particularly useful for items like medications, electronics, or a change of clothes.

Quicker Arrival: Upon arrival at your destination, you can bypass the baggage claim area, saving time and allowing you to leave the airport more quickly.

Reduced Risk of Loss or Damage:

Less Risk of Lost Luggage: Carry-on luggage stays with you, so there's no risk of it being lost or misrouted by the airline.

Better Control: You have more control over how your luggage is handled, reducing the risk of damage.

Flexibility During Travel Disruptions:

Easier Rebooking: If your flight is delayed or canceled, having your luggage with you can make it easier to switch flights without worrying about where your bags are.

Smooth Transitions: In case of tight connections, you won't have to worry about your checked luggage making it to the next flight. On international transfers, you may need to wait for your luggage to clear customs, which in some cases can cause you to miss your connecting flight, if there are delays.

Traveling Light

Once you get off the airplane, you need to get your stuff to where you're going. If you're loaded down with lots of bags, that's going to limit your options. Taxis/Ubers, rental cars, public transit, and moving on foot will all be easier with a lighter load.

Carry it on: Cons

Size and Weight Limitations:

Restricted Space: Airlines have strict size and weight limits for carry-on luggage. You may need to pack less or more strategically, which can be challenging for longer trips. European airlines are stricter than North American ones, and the low cost carriers are deliberately strict to maximize fee revenue.

Overhead Bin Space: Overhead bin space is limited, and if you're one of the last to board, you might struggle to find space for your bag.

Security and Regulations:

Security Screening: Carry-on luggage must go through security screening, where you need to follow liquid restrictions and other regulations.

Prohibited Items: Certain items cannot be carried on and must be checked, such as larger liquids, sharp objects, and sporting equipment.

Physical Burden:

Carrying the Weight: You have to carry your luggage through the airport, which can be tiring, especially in large airports or if you have a long layover.

Limited Movement: Maneuvering with a carry-on can be cumbersome, especially in crowded spaces or small aircraft.

Potential for Delays:

Boarding Delays: Boarding can be slower as passengers try to store their bags in overhead bins, which might also delay the departure.

Bag Check at Gate: If overhead bins are full, you may be forced to check your bag at the gate, which negates some of the benefits of carrying on.

Pro tip:

If you don't mind checking a bag but bristle at the fee, you will often be invited to "gate check" a bag with no fee before boarding if gate attendants believe that overhead space is going to be oversubscribed.

Tips to save on baggage fees

Avoiding baggage fees on airlines can save travelers a significant amount of money. Here are some practical money-saving tips to help you avoid these fees:

Use Airline-Branded Credit Cards

Benefit: Many airline-branded credit cards offer free checked bags as a cardholder perk. This benefit often extends to companions traveling on the same reservation.

Example: Cards like the Delta SkyMiles American Express or United Explorer Card provide the first checked bag free.

Earn Elite Status

Benefit: Frequent flyers can earn elite status with an airline, which often includes free checked baggage as part of the benefits package.

Strategy: Accumulate miles through flights, credit card spending, or participating in airline promotions to achieve elite status.

Gate Checking

Benefit: When overhead bin space is full, airlines often gate check carry-on bags for free.

Tip: Arrive at the gate early and volunteer to gate check your bag to avoid the fee.

Wear Extra Clothes

Benefit: Wearing layers and bulkier clothing items can free up space in your carry-on and reduce the need for a checked bag.

Tip: Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane, and use pockets for smaller items.

Use a Pillow to Store Clothes

Benefit: A travel pillowcase can be filled with clothes, doubling as both a pillow and extra storage.

Tip: Use a zippered pillowcase and stuff it with soft clothing items to maximize space.

Pack Your Suitcase Tightly

Benefit: Efficient packing can help you fit more items into a smaller bag, making it easier to stick to carry-on size restrictions.

Tips:

Roll Clothes: Rolling instead of folding can save space.

Compression Bags: Use compression bags to reduce the volume of your clothing.

Do Laundry

Benefit: Bringing fewer clothes and doing laundry during your trip can significantly reduce the amount of luggage you need.

Tip: Choose accommodations with laundry facilities or find local laundromats. You can sort AirBbB listings to show apartments with laundry facilities.

Ship Your Luggage Separately

Benefit: In some cases, shipping your luggage can be cheaper than paying airline baggage fees.

Tip: Compare shipping costs using services like FedEx, UPS, or luggage shipping companies. Plan ahead to ensure your luggage arrives on time.

Choose Airlines with Free Baggage Allowances

Benefit: Some airlines offer free checked bags, especially on international flights or with certain fare classes.

Tip: Research baggage policies when booking flights and consider airlines like Southwest, which allows two free checked bags on domestic flights.

Pack Multi-Purpose Items

Benefit: Packing items that serve multiple purposes can reduce the number of things you need to bring.

Examples: A sarong that can be used as a scarf, blanket, or swimsuit cover-up; a jacket with multiple pockets for extra storage.

Take Advantage of Special Discounts and Promotions

Benefit: Airlines sometimes offer promotions that include free checked baggage.

Tip: Sign up for airline newsletters and follow them on social media to stay informed about special offers.

Check Partner Airline Policies

Benefit: If you're flying with a partner airline, you might be eligible for free checked baggage based on the policies of the primary airline.

Tip: Verify baggage policies when booking flights that involve code shares or partner airlines. Keep in mind that the airline you check into will affect the policy for that segment. If you're flying from the US to Europe on United with a segment on Lufthansa, United's luggage rules will apply on the flight out, but you'll be dealing with a Lufthansa check-in agent on the way back. That might mean that a carry on bag that's okay with United will be too large for Lufthansa.

By strategically planning your travel and utilizing these tips, you can avoid or reduce baggage fees, making your trip more cost-effective and enjoyable.

Consider premium fares

On most airlines, higher-tier fares don't have fees for carry-on and/or checked baggage that lower-tier fares charge. While basic economy fares often charge even for carry ons, main cabin fares don't, and some will include checked bags too. Extra legroom fares, premium economy, and of course business and first class fares generally include a generous baggage allowance. Often, when you include the cost of bags, the upgrade to a higher tier is a better deal.