If you are a frequent air traveler, you would want to keep your travel costs low. Many air travelers can exempt themselves from the baggage fees by using carry-on luggage and going through exceptions. If you must check bags, you can always make plans accordingly well before bringing down the fees you are required to pay. As you know that fees depend on the size, weight, and amount of luggage you are carrying, you can always pack as light as you can to avoid the extra baggage fees. Following are some secret ways to help you in the process. Check them out so that you don’t have to face any problems later.
Include Only Carry-On Luggage
While traveling by air, you can include one piece of a carry-on bag with you on most airlines. Aside from that, you can also carry personal items such as a backpack or a purse. You wouldn’t have to pay any extra penny for them. If you plan and fit everything in the carry-on luggage and backpack, you wouldn’t have to carry any extra luggage, thus avoiding any additional fee.
Some airlines will charge you for your carry-on luggage. So do a bit of research about the one you are flying in. If the plane is all set to be full, you might have to get your carry-on luggage checked at the gate. However, you wouldn’t have to pay anything for that.
Your luggage has to be Within the Size Limits.
Remember that your carry-on luggage should fit into the overhead compartment. If you carry a personal item like a backpack or a purse, it should fit under your seat. Go through the airline’s website and check the size regulations before booking your tickets. You can check whether your luggage is overweight or not by sliding it into the gate or check-in counter. The airline you are flying in might restrict the weight of your carry-on luggage. Though crews might not check the weight of your carry-on baggage, don’t worry, even if it’s found overweight.
Reduce the Weight of Your Luggage
A majority of you have the habit of overpacking. There is no better way to avoid the baggage fees than packing as light as possible. If you can combine the luggage, you carry two bags and put them in one. You can reduce the baggage fees. Try to cut down the number of things you are taking on your flight. If you plan to take five pairs of shoes on your holiday, drop the idea and stick to three pairs.
Pack Tightly
If you ball up your clothes in a ball and push them in your luggage, you will be wasting a lot of luggage space. So what can you do instead? Roll your clothes tightly and neatly and place them neatly in your luggage. This way you can have more space inside. Not only will you be able to cut down on the number of items you will carry, but you can also avoid the baggage fees. You can also vacuum pack in compression bags. The other option is to tuck in small items within bigger items. For example, roll up your socks or your belt and push them inside your shoes.
Wear More and Pack Less
Wear more than you pack. This way, you will be able to cut down the weight of your baggage. Wear the bulkiest items instead of pushing them in your baggage. If you feel uncomfortable, you can take them off once you are seated inside the airplane. You can place small things in your pockets instead of putting them in your luggage. You can fold the small items into your large pockets.
Weigh Your Bags Before You Leave Home
Would you want to reach the check-in counter, get informed that your baggage is overweight, and pay an overweight fee? To avoid that, weigh your baggage on a digital scale before leaving home. If you find that the weight is more than the permissible limit, take out something from your luggage to avoid that fee.
Always select an airline that won’t charge an overweight fee for a checked bag. Also, confirm with the airline whether you are eligible for an exception.
