How to Avoid Paying Extra for Airline Baggage

Finding the best deal on airline tickets is only half of the cost for air travel today. The cost of additional baggage often increases the price as much as 33 percent. That became a problem when I looked for rates for a month long visit, which included a trip to Las Vegas. It's the same problem many people face when flying today but there ways to avoid the charges. The way you pack, what you pack, the type of carry on luggage you use, whether you plan to buy clothing when you arrive and access to a washer and dryer all make a difference in whether your ticket runs $300 or much higher.

Ways to Save on Baggage Charges

Roll Your Clothes

I didn't believe it when I read it in an Associated Content article, but rolling your clothes does give you more room than the traditional method of packing. The clothing doesn't wrinkle anymore than it would if you folded it the regular way. I managed to fit an extra pair of pants in my bag by using the simple method.

For pants, you lay them out as you would for hanging and then start at the top and roll with the tips of the legs remaining on the outside. For shirts, you lap the sleeves toward the middle to square the shirts and sweaters at the side and roll from the bottom to the top.

Wear Your Clothes

Leaving from a colder area and arriving at a warmer one made this easier. I wore the bulkiest clothing and packed the lightest. The trip home was a little awkward, however. I layered several articles of clothing and tied a few around my waist.

Fanny Packs and Backpacks

I quit carrying a purse a long time ago, primarily because I continuously forgot where I put it or walked away from it. Today, I wear a fanny pack instead. (For more dressy occasions, I do dispense with it or carry one of the dressy fanny packs I made from material that fit a formal occasion.) For my plane trip, I wore two fanny packs around my waist. I purchased one for my daughter as a gift but used it to carry socks, the camera and underwear.

The airline allows you one carry on and a personal item such as a purse or computer case. The fanny packs were under my jacket and were unnoticed. Besides the carry on, I added a BIG (and ugly, may I add) purse stuffed with a sweater, make-up, my electric toothbrush, jewelry and those liquid items you pack in a plastic bag for inspection. The pictures with the article show me with my jacket closed and my best fat face to avoid suspicion and then with the jacket opened to reveal my secret stash of fanny packs. If you click on the pictures you'll get the full view, including the God ugly purse. You'll also notice socks hanging out of my jacket pocket.

Great Info, Too Late

Carrying the big UGLY white purse in the middle of winter was a bit embarrassing even for me. While talking with a young woman in the airport and explaining I was "experimenting" for an article, she asked why I didn't use a backpack. It seems the airline counts a backpack the same as a purse. The backpack was far roomier and attractive than the out of season white purse ever could be.

For Shoppers

Part of the plan that I never had time to complete was a trip to Goodwill or other second hand store. Between a heavy work schedule there and the lack of need, it didn't seem important. If you're on your way to a destination where you have time but lack money to purchase new clothing, consider a stop at Goodwill. Half price day can put a weeks worth of clothing on your body and then you donate them back at the end of the week. For those that need a tax deduction, make certain you get a receipt from Goodwill and those purchases are tax deductible.

If you're one of those true shoppers going to a destination that offers luxury stores, pack a few days of clothing you plan to retire. Shop while you're there and donate the clothing you brought. Just make sure you bring enough underwear and socks. If you're like most people, you don't want to wear these items before you wash them.

Ship It

Discussing this article with others after I arrived home, I found a very cheap alternative that doesn't require all the hassle of shopping or turning your body into a clothes mule, the United States Post Office. There is an extra charge but it's half that of the airline. Sending your clothing in a large12"X12"X5 1/2" priority mail large flat rate box is one option and costs $14.95, half the price of extra baggage. If you have lighter weight but bulkier clothing, simply shipping it according to weight is a savings too.

One friend also spends a month with her family each year. She shipped her extra clothing the day before she left and it arrived two days after she did. This also works when you stay at a hotel but you do have to discuss this with the hotel in advance.

Wash It

Before you leave on your journey, find the location of the closest laundromat if you're not staying at someone's home. Carve out a time to visit the laundromat and bring the whole family. Make it a fun afternoon. (OMG, even I don't believe that's possible. However, attitude is everything.)

Frugal Is Only Skin Deep But Cheap Is to the Bone

I admit, the extra money wouldn't have put me in the poor house, but I'm simply dang cheap. Outwitting the additional charges became a game for me and supplied me with hours of fun planning new ways. It also supplied me with another reason to tax deduct the trip. I planned every day for an article to make this a legitimate deductible item. Saving on taxes is another one of my favorite games to play. It seems I'm addicted to cheap.