Airlines just raised their checked bag fees.
Whether to combat rising fuel rates, put more money in their pockets or, really just to aggravate us, Jet Blue, American Airlines, Delta, United, WestJet and Air Canada have bumped baggage fees up $5 to $30 for one checked-bag.
Sure, it’s just five bucks, but if you take just five roundtrip flights in a year, paying for a bag each time, you’d have spent enough for a whole other roundtrip flight based on $300 and under ticket finds to places like Cabo and Belize, courtesy Scott’s Cheap Flights.
More than that, 23 of the largest US airlines raked in $4.5 billion in baggage fees last year, and that number has been climbing at a steady clip in recent years. I’m pretty sure they don’t need any more of our money, especially considering you can’t even get a ham sandwich for free on a six-hour flight on most of these domestic airlines, while smaller, even low-budget local airlines in other countries will give you a full meal for an hour-long jaunt. Just saying.
Regardless, the point is that packing only a carry-on is really the way to go, for so many reasons, which I’ll list out for you below.
Pros: It’s lighter, there’s no risk of your baggage not arriving since it’s safely in the overhead compartment, you don’t have to wait at bungled baggage claims, and when you have to drag your luggage over cobblestone streets to get to the tucked away boutique hotel your cabbie couldn’t find, you’ll at least look a little less ridiculous.
Cons: It’s challenging to have a shopping spree at your destination with little space for toting back loot, but it can be done. I’ve done it. More than once.
So, in honor of not giving airlines any more of our money than we have to, here’s a look at some of the best tips for packing only a carry on, which have served me over the years.
Get a big enough carry-on
Some carry-ons are neat and cute and if you’re a guy (or a rare female that travels light) it might be OK, but if this is the only luggage you’re relying on, get one that’s at least big enough to really fit the basics.
Standard carry-on size is roughly 22 x 14 x 9 (height x length x width), or 56 x 36 x 23 in centimeters, though the numbers vary slightly by airline, so make sure you’re getting as close to maxing out that size as possible, without going over.
This suitcase has served as my Mary Poppins bags of sorts, as I’ve crammed more than a week’s worth of clothing in here and dodged a whole bunch of baggage fees.
Embrace compression tactics
When you suddenly see what you’ve packed shrink down by 30 percent in terms of how much space it’s taking up, it will seem like magic. But really, it’s compression bags.
These space savers can honestly double what you’re able to take on your travels.
Make your clothes do double duty
For those prone to overpacking (don’t worry, I’m with you), it’s hard to imagine getting all the clothes you need for a two-week trip to fit into one carry on, but it’s not impossible if you can curate accordingly.
Skimp (at least try) on the shoes
If I’m being honest, this one’s really in here as a reminder to myself: I am a shoe lover who could easily pack a different pair for each outfit. However, I am also a fan of saving money on baggage fees and leaving enough space for shopping, so I’ve learned how to rein myself in.
Pack more space
This is one of my favorite travel hacks. I always walk with a little foldaway duffle that can be packed small en route or expanded to accommodate additional things I’ve collected on my travels as needed.
Condensed, these bags are small enough to slip discreetly into the pocket at the back of your carry-on. Expanded, they’re big enough to fit souvenirs, gifts or last-day-of-holiday shopping spree loot. Here’s the one I go everywhere with.