Save $$ on summer travel - pack light!

Want to save at least $100 on summer air travel? “Learn to pack light!” says packing expert Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler (www.smartpacking.com).

Checking overweight bags or too many bags can add up to major charges – due before you proceed to the gate. Exceed the 50 pound maximum per bag allowed by most airlines for domestic travel and you will be charged up to $100 each way; try to check more than one bag per ticketed passenger and the typical fee is $100 per bag, each way. Try to carry on too many bags or too large a bag and you may be forced to check it, thereby putting you over the limit. Oversized bags will also incur a fee – it will cost you $100 each way for any bag that measures over 62” based on linear measurement of length  + width + depth. Call your airline or check their website for specifics, as rules differ from one airline to another..

Foster offers these four tips to avoid any costly add-ons:

1. Plan ahead to so you pack exactly what you need and nothing extra. Go to http://www.smartpacking.com/index.php?cat_id=5388 for tips to pack less.
2. Measure your suitcase(s) before packing. The larger the bag, the more weight it will hold, putting you at risk for the oversized and overweight fee added together.
3. Pack at least a day in advance so you have time to edit down and still have what you need and want.
4. Weigh each packed bag on your bathroom scale before leaving for the airport and lighten the load to less than 50 pounds (you do want to leave room to bring home treasures, don’t you?).

Are you planning to travel internationally?

Check with all airlines you plan to fly. Americans often choose a domestic carrier (United, Delta, American, etc) to Europe and regional discount airlines to fly between European cities. Domestic airlines flying to an international destination generally allow two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each, but discount airlines flying within Europe allow only 33 to 44 pounds total per person (again, rules differ) for all checked luggage. And some airlines now charge a fee to check any luggage. You may carry on an additional piece weighing from 13 to 22 pounds. Excess baggage fees can cost as much as $10.90 per pound!

For shocking example, do the math...

100 pounds (2 bags @ 50 lbs each as allowed from US)
 -33 pounds (maximum allowed by some European discount airlines)
  67 pounds excess baggage

Total fee: 67 overweight pounds x $10.90/pound = $730.30 for excess luggage and that is for one way!

Starting to get the picture? Traveling with too much luggage is a burden and it can cost a fortune. Pare down and enjoy the freedom that comes from traveling light, and save those baggage fees to spend enjoying your destination.

By following these simple tips, you can save money during this summer’s air travel and save back strain, too.

See http://www.smartpackinglcom for more family packing and airport tips.

Revised 2008

© 2007 Susan Foster, Smart Travel Press, PO Box 25514, Portland, OR 97298, Susan@smartpacking.com