Traveling is always difficult and stressful, but it can be made easier if you plan ahead. With a little knowledge and some preparation, you can significantly reduce the stress of traveling. For most people, traveling is stressful because it’s hard to pack everything they need in just one or two bags.How to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport so that your next trip doesn’t have any surprises or hidden costs.Here you will find tips.
What if your favorite shirt gets wrinkled? Should you bring that extra pair of shoes along? Do I really need this sweater? These are all questions you’ll have to ask yourself on your trip, and it can be a lot of pressure. Excess baggage fees are a huge problem for travelers.
Buy Yourself a Luggage Scale
If you’re trying to avoid excess baggage fees, then it’s important that you weigh your luggage before you go to the airport. If your bag is over the airline weight limit, then you’ll have to pay a fee for excess weight. Luggage hanging dial scales make it easy to weigh your bag in an inconspicuous area before you go to the airport. Once you know how much your bag weighs, there’s no reason why you can’t pack light so that you don’t have to pay excess baggage fees when traveling next time. It can feel like an inconvenience, but at least it’s not as bad as having to pay an extra fee for excess baggage.
Be Prepared To Wear Extra Layers of Clothes
If you have bulky clothes or an abundance of shoes, it can be tempting to pack them in your suitcase. However, many airlines will charge you for bags that weigh more than 45 pounds or 50 linear feet (the sum of the length, width, and depth). If you wear several bulky items while traveling such as a heavy coat, ask yourself if you really need to bring that coat or sweater. You can wear one on the plane and store the other in your luggage once you arrive at your destination.
If you do need to pack bulky items, consider rolling them up instead of folding them. It’s much easier for an airline worker to slide a pair of rolled-up jeans into a carry-on bag than to try and squeeze in a thick sweater that you’ve folded in half lengthwise into an already full suitcase.
Use a Backpack Instead of a Suitcase Carry On
If you can’t travel without all of your bulky items, or if you want to be prepared for inclement weather during your trip, consider using a backpack for your carry-on. It’s far easier for an airline worker to get a backpack into the overhead bin than it is to squeeze in a rolling suitcase. Rolling suitcases can be a pain to maneuver, especially if you’re traveling in areas with congested foot traffic. Plus, it’s easier for someone to steal your luggage if you can’t keep an eye on it.
For most people, purchasing a backpack will not be the best option; but there are benefits to using one even if you already have a suitcase. Backpacks are much easier to manage when you’re trying to weave through crowded areas in an airport or train station. In addition, backpacks are usually smaller than wheeled suitcases, so you won’t have to worry about excess baggage fees.
Stuff Your Pockets With Important Items
If you’re trying to avoid bag fees, then it’s important that your carry-on fit within the airline’s size restrictions. Most airlines allow their passengers a free carry-on and a personal item (such as a purse or laptop bag). A lot of times, people will try to stuff an extra pair of pants or socks into their carry-on bag. When you’re packing, try to put as much in your personal item or pockets as you can. This will help you avoid excess baggage fees and ensure that your carry-on is not too big when you go to check in at the airport.
Instead of packing an extra pair of pants and a pair of shoes, you should pack a pair of socks. This is especially important if you’ll be walking around your destination for several hours. Even without pants, it’s easy to slip on a pair of shorts or jeans before getting off the plane so that you aren’t walking around in bare legs.
Air travel can be a stressful experience, even for seasoned travelers. The airport is crowded and it’s easy to get confused about what you need to do before boarding your flight. This article has helped you avoid excess baggage fees at the airport by providing tips on how to pack light so that you don’t have any problems with checking in or going through security.
