How to Save Money on Airline Baggage Fees

Baggage fees can add up in a hurry and can put a damper on anyone's vacation. For a family of four, checking in four bags for a round trip vacation can cost over $160. $160 can pay for a few meals or other entertainment expenses! Paying for baggage is a huge waste of money and can deter people from traveling. However, with a little creativity, you will be able to use a carry on to pack all of your travel belongings, thus not having to pay airline bag fees.

The best way to save money when using an airline is to pack a carry-on bag. Each traveler is allowed one carry-on luggage and one small handbag. Each airline has their own restrictions on how big the carry-on luggage should be, but the general rule of thumb is that the bag should be able to comfortably fit into the overhead storage bin without having to ram, or use excessive force to get the bag in the bin. However, a carry-on luggage may not fit all of your belongings. This is a large problem for many people as they believe that they can't simply live without a large amount of clothes. However, if you want to save money, then there are some luxuries that you will have to leave at home.

Lay out all of the items that you plan on taking on your vacation. Then, remove a third of those items. Pack the rest of the items into a carry on and have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved money. It is most likely that you are packing more than triple the amount of items that you actually need to take on your trip. If you are planning on going on a vacation for a week, you do not need an outfit for each day that you are vacationing. Instead, try and bring clothes that can double up for different needs. For example, bring zip pants that can transform into shorts. This way you won't have to bring a pair of pants and a pair of shorts. Also, bring one pair of clothing for any occasion, but just one. Remember to check and see if there's a laundry facility just in case you need to wash your clothes. A load of laundry is MUCH cheaper than a $20 baggage fee.