Pack Your Bag Smartly to Save Dollars: Tricks to Avoid Extra Charges
Although many may not know, luggage can significantly alter the final cost of a trip. While the airfare may start off cheap, it can become more expensive when charges for checking a bag, exceeding weight limits, or adding items not included in the ticket are added.
To avoid any inconveniences, the key is to review the conditions before purchasing the ticket and define what is truly necessary to bring. The policies of each airline, the benefits of certain cards, and a careful selection of clothing can make everything cheaper without affecting comfort during the vacation.
Tips to Save Dollars on Your Luggage
The best tips to spend the least possible on the luggage that will accompany you while exploring the world are:
Choose the Right Airline
Each airline has its own conditions for transporting luggage. Some companies include checked bags within certain fares, while others charge for each one separately. Southwest Airlines is the most convenient for those carrying a lot of luggage, as it allows up to two checked bags at no charge.
On the other hand, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines also offer benefits depending on the chosen ticket or associated card. Before purchasing, it’s best to compare the final price and not just look at the initial ticket value, as a slightly more expensive option may end up costing less if it already includes checked baggage.
Cards with Included Luggage
Some cards linked to airlines include allowances that allow you to check a bag at no charge. For someone who travels several times a year, this can offset a significant part of the annual expense. Among the most well-known options are:
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, with the first bag included for the cardholder and up to eight companions.
- United Explorer Card, with one bag for the cardholder and one companion.
- Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, with benefits for the cardholder and up to four companions.
- Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card, with the first bag included for the cardholder and up to six companions.
Take Advantage of Memberships
Frequent flyer programs can also reduce luggage expenses. For example, AAdvantage from American Airlines, SkyMiles from Delta, MileagePlus from United, and TrueBlue from JetBlue have tiers that incorporate advantages for their regular customers.
The benefit depends on the level achieved and the rules of each company. Alaska Airlines also has Club 49, which allows two bags at no cost on certain flights.
Travel Only with Carry-On Luggage
To avoid paying for checked baggage, you can reduce the number of belongings taken on the trip. In fact, many companies allow you to board the plane with a carry-on and a personal item, such as a backpack or purse, but here size and weight are crucial.
Low-cost airlines like Spirit, Frontier, or Ryanair may apply charges when the carry-on exceeds the dimensions included in the fare. To take up less space, it’s best to prioritize basic clothing that matches everything, use organizers, dress in layers, and reserve the backpack only for items that would take up too much space inside the main bag.
Purchase a Fare that Includes Bags
It’s important to know that the cheapest ticket does not always result in the lowest total expense. Therefore, before confirming a reservation, it’s best to calculate how much it would cost to check each bag and compare that amount with a higher category that already includes that service.
Some fares from JetBlue, American Airlines, or United may include luggage, but under certain conditions. That’s why doing a prior comparison can help you detect when a more expensive ticket can actually help reduce the overall cost of the trip.
Use Points and Benefits
If the luggage charge is unavoidable, reward programs can alleviate the impact. In fact, there are some cards that allow you to earn points, travel credits, or reimbursements on expenses related to flights.
For example, Capital One Venture Rewards allows you to apply rewards on travel expenses and Chase Sapphire Preferred offers redemptions designed for such expenses. American Express Platinum, for its part, includes an annual credit for certain airline charges.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Rule for Packing Smartly
The 5-4-3-2-1 method proposes reducing the amount of clothing without ending up with too few options. The formula consists of bringing five tops, four bottoms, three pairs of shoes, two dresses or coats, and one set of accessories. The selection can be adapted to the climate and destination; for example, in summer, you can replace an item with a swimsuit, but a trip to a cold area requires more warm clothing, gloves, or other thermal garments.
This distribution can allow you to achieve up to 60 different combinations. Besides freeing up space, it can help you travel only with cabin luggage, thus reducing one of the expenses that most increases a ticket's cost.
-- Price
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