When you travel, every dollar you don’t spend on getting to your destination is a dollar that you can spend on actually having fun. You certainly do not want to blow your entire budget just getting to where you are going only to find out you can’t afford to do anything but sit around when you get there. One of the easiest and most cost effective things you can do to save money on your vacation is to outsmart the airlines and avoid the outrageous fees that the airlines charge to check a bag.
Checking your luggage can cost $35 or more per bag with many airlines. This adds up to $70 per round trip per bag, or put another way, it would cost $140 for two people to check one bag each to go on vacation and come home! That is not a trivial amount of money. If you own the right piece of carry on luggage and you use common sense while packing, you can keep that $140 in your wallet.
In order to dodge those pesky baggage fees, you will need two things; the best carry on bags you can find, and a commitment to pack only what you need.
First, you have to purchase a good carry on. Your bag needs to be as large as possible so you can fit as much stuff in it as possible. This means you should try to find a bag that is as large as possible without exceeding the size limit set by the airlines. This measurement is 45 linear inches (meaning the length, width, and height of the bag added together must be 45 inches or less).
After size, you want a piece of luggage that is as lightweight as possible. You are going to be carrying this bag everywhere, so you don't want any excess weight.
The last thing you should look for is durability. You want a carry on that will hold up to the wear and tear of plane travel.
Once you have a good carry on, you need to pack smart. Pack only the items you need and nothing more. This is absolutely vital to remember. If you can live without something, don't pack it. Bring versatile clothes that can work together in several combinations. Wash your clothes while at your destination if you need to. Buy toiletries when you get to your hotel rather than packing them. Just use your common sense, and bring only the essentials.
If you keep these tips in mind and use them you can save $70 every time you travel. Take just 2 trips and a really nice piece of carry on luggage will completely pay for itself. After that, you will be saving tons of money with each trip you take.