Hit 50 flights in a year using only carry-on packing

I finally counted my boarding passes from last year and realized I managed 50 flights without ever checking a bag. Just using a solid packing cube setup and a 21-inch bag saved me at least $1,200 in fees. Has anyone else tracked their savings on baggage costs?

3 comments

3 Comments

allen.ivan27d ago

Saving at least $1,200 in fees" is a good point, but I'm the guy who checks a bag every time. I fly about 30 times a year for work, and checking a bag lets me bring my own pillow, a real book, and an extra pair of shoes. Plus I never have to worry about the overhead bins filling up and my bag getting gate checked anyways. I'd rather pay $35 each way than stress about fitting everything into a tiny 21 inch bag.

wesley_martin24d ago

My breaking point was year three of flying for work. I used to be the carry-on hero, packing everything into a 21 inch bag like it was a puzzle. Then I spent 45 minutes on a tarmac in Phoenix watching them tag my bag for gate check because the bins were full. That was it. Now I check a bag every time like @allen.ivan said. I bring my own coffee mug, a real pillow, and I never have to worry about liquids or razors getting tossed. It costs me about $1,050 a year in fees but I sleep better on the plane and don't stress about the overhead shuffle.

grant_allen8527d ago

You said "worry about the overhead bins filling up" and that really hits on something I see all the time. It's funny how we pick our own stress in travel, like you pay the fee to skip that bin drama and I'll spend an extra 15 minutes digging my bag out from under a seat because I refused to pay. @allen.ivan probably figured out that sticking with a plan that works beats trying to be the "perfect" carry-on traveler just to save money.