Avoiding expensive airline luggage fees

How to avoid expensive airline luggage fees

1. Weigh your bags on your bathroom scale BEFORE you go to the airport to see if they are under the 50 pound weight limit that most airlines consider their maximum weight for a standard priced piece of luggage.
2. Check as few bags as possible.  So, for example, if you have several bags that combined are under 50 pounds,  placing everything in a single bag will allow you to pay a single bag fee.
3. Consider flying on an airline that doesn’t charge a baggage fee for the first one or two bags.  As of the writing of this article, we found Southwest Airlines to be the best bet.
4. Check what the cost  would be to ship your bag ahead using UPS, FedEx, etc.  Depending on the weight and size, you may find it to be cheaper and less of a hassle to simply ship your bag to your final destination.
5. Consider traveling light with just carry on luggage.  Remember, many business friendly hotels now provide washing machines and dryers.  Seasoned travelers plan on just hand washing the wrinkle free clothing that they pack in their hotel room tub and just air dry items on a hanger.
6. Remember, its all about choices.  When you consider the cost of checking a single bag round trip is on average about $50, it may actually be cheaper to  purchase some of the items that you usually pack at your destination instead.