Anyone who has traveled knows that airlines charge for extra baggage. These fees can really make a huge hole in your travel budget. Here are some ways to help minimize the baggage fees as much as possible when traveling.
- Always check your airlines baggage allowance policy way in advance. Some airlines will let you bring two checked bags, while others will only let you bring one. If you have the option of choosing a different airline, consider switching if you know you will have to pack heavily.
- Consider the total cost when you are booking your trip. One airline may offer the lower rate, but factor in the excess baggage fees, and it may end up being more expensive.
- Some airlines will give you a break on luggage fees if you check in online. Check with your airlines ahead of time about their policy. You may be able to save a few dollars this way.
- If you travel often, consider investing in a luggage scale. Or you can simply step on your bathroom scale, note your weight, and then weigh yourself again with your bag. If you have more than one bag, move things from one to the other if one bag is too heavy. If you weigh your bags ahead of time and know your airline policies, you will never be faced with surprise baggage fees. It is a good idea to stay under the allowed weight by a couple of pounds, just in case your scale is off. You can get a decent scale at ebags.com. Use an ebags promotional code for additional savings.
- Find out ahead of time if the place you will be staying at has available laundry facilities, or nearby Laundromats. If it is possible, pack lightly and do laundry half way through your trip. You can also pack low maintenance, ease to launder clothes, and hand wash in your hotel room. All you need is to purchase some laundry detergent and you can wash a few items in your bathtub and hang to dry on the shower rod, or over a chair.
- When you pack, pack clothes carefully. Pick pieces that can be mixed and matched, creating more outfits out of less pieces of clothing, and extending your wardrobe without creating excess luggage. Jeans and other bottoms that match numerous tops are a good choice. These can easily be dressed up or down, depending on the top and shoe choices.
- Plan to take no more than one pair of walking shoes and one paid of dress shoes.
- If you are visiting friends or family that you plan to visit often, ask them if they wouldn’t mind keeping a few bulky items for you at their home. Items such as tennis shoes, robes, and thick jackets take up a lot of space in your suitcase. If your friends or family have room for such items at their home, holding things for you there will greatly reduce what you need to pack. Another option is seeing if they have extra of their own that you can use while there.
- Another option is packing clothes you would not mind throwing away. You can pack a few pieces of clothes that can be discarded after you wear them while on your trip, and you can replace the space in your suitcase with stuff you purchase on vacation.
- Look into credit cards that are associated with airlines. Some may offer free baggage.
- If you have heavy bags and know you will definitely be going over your airline’s allotted baggage limit, check into shipping your baggage overnight instead. In some cases, it can actually be cheaper than checking it at the airport.
- When on your trip, think twice about purchasing anything too heavy or bulky. It will just take up room in your bags on the return flight, possibly putting you over the baggage weight limit.
- If you are traveling with children, think of what you can purchase when you get to your destination. The less snacks, milk, and diapers you pack the better.
- Rather than bringing along a car seat, inquire with car rental companies about renting one. It may be cheaper to just use one from the rental company than to pay an extra luggage fee to bring your own on the airplane.
- You can also consider doing without a stroller. Some hotels have strollers that you can rent. Or, if you won’t be doing a ton of walking, consider using a baby carrier and wear your baby. Most carriers will not take up much space in a suitcase, and you will not have to check a stroller as an extra piece of luggage.
- Also, have your older children help carry some extras that do need to brought along. If they carry their own backpack, they can help by carrying a few toys and some small snacks.
Traveling out of town, whether for business or pleasure, can carry with it some hefty baggage fees. Checking with airlines ahead of time, and factoring in the cost of extra baggage fees can help you save some money. Also, packing smart and carefully can really make a difference in how much luggage you end up taking on your trip.