How to pack your carry-on bag & avoid checking fees?

Are you a budgeted traveler who has recently booked ticket in non stop flights from USA to India? Or to anyplace else looking for tips to avoid your carry-on check-in fees? Then this article would be your ultimate problem solver.

Air traveling has evolved to differ greatly since 2008. Now airlines are charging separate amounts for checking in bags while earlier all these facilities are included in the air ticket’s base price. The reason behind this is the competition among airlines to provide passengers the best deals.

After buying a super cheap ticket of direct flights to India from the USA or for any other destination, passengers have to pay heavy cash during the check-in time. And most of the time passengers end up paying more amount in total than they had paid if they bought a ticket including check-in services.

The only way to avoid checking fees on your carry-on is to pack like a nomad. So your carry-on won’t be too heavy or bulky to cause you an extra payment during luggage check-in. Also, a lightweight carry-on will not only help you void the checking fee but will ease your travel as well.

Let’s know the top 10 tips on how to pack a carry-on bag & avoid checking fees.

 Use the dead space

Things like shoes cover a lot of space in your bag. But the dead space inside the shoe box and shoes remains empty Use this space to pack your socks, undergarments, device chargers, and medicines. If you have OCD and cannot wrap your clean stuff in your shoes and shoe box. Then you can always wrap them in plastic before stuffing them in.

Except for shoes, you can stuff your caps and hats with compact-sized products. This way you will save a lot of space and your bag will look thinner.

Plastic wrap everything

Instead of preparing a separate box for everything that will acquire a lot of space in your bag, plastic wrap things and put them in one kit. Use a zipped kit and squeeze out all the extra air after putting all your stuff in it.

You can plastic wrap your accessories to keep them safe. Accessories like studs and rings are easy to lose. And throwing them directly into a kit will make it hard for you to find them later. Thus, after individually wrapping all your small jewelry pieces, use plastic wrap to wrap them all together.

Roll instead of fold

Rolling your clothes instead of folding them is a great way to save some extra space. Just tightly roll your clothes so there remains no air in between and put them in your bag. Start with the bulkier stuff that takes more space and then try to fit the thin ones in the remaining space.

Pack optimum clothes

Instead of packing every shirt and jeans you like be strategical with your packing approach. Everyone has jeans that go on multiple tops and shirts. As jeans and pants don’t need a daily wash and you can wear them several times so put only a few them. Only pack those jeans that go with two or more tops. And then pack the tops or shirts that go with them.

Pack based upon your travel itinerary

Instead of packing all the things you like, pack them based on your traveling itineraries. Look for the activities you will do on your trip and what kind of clothes you will be needing for them. Like if you are going on a business trip, you will need more formals and 1 or 2 pairs of informal. If your travel itinerary includes visiting a beach, then you should keep your swimsuit.

Pack sample size beauty products

Instead of packing big bottles of everything from cream, lotion, face wash, body cream, and perfume that takes more space in your bag and also increases its weight. Pack sample size beauty products. You can get some sample-sized bottles from the market and fill up them with your products. Or you can visit a sample sale and get some products from there.

Pack double-duty products

The market is filled with products that perform more than one function. As a lip tint, that can also be used as a blush. Or a lotion that can be used on both face and body. There are dresses that you can wear in many ways, providing you a new look every time. Pack double-duty products to carry more things in less space.

Use a fold and go blanket

These blankets can be folded and converted into a pillow according to your need. Not only does it help you during your flight. It will be a great help if you are planning to visit remote regions.

Wear the bulky stuff

If you have a jacket that is taking much space in your carry-on then it is always better to wear it. Make this jacket a part of your airport looks. This way you will save your carry-on from being bulky and heavy.

Avoid using boxes

Instead of packing your dirty shoes and other things in boxes that require a lot of space, use cloth pouches or zipper kits. These ouches or kits don’t acquire extra space in your carry-ons and thus helps you in keeping it thin. Also, these pouches and zipper bags don’t have much weight of their own and help in keeping your carry-on weight within the allowed limit.

Take multiple cables instead of chargers

Packing a separate charger for every device isn’t the right thing to do while you are trying to keep your carry-on thin and easy to carry. Instead of carrying different chargers carry one charger that can be attached with different cables to charge your different devices.

Also, keep all the cables untangled to reduce the space taken by them. Now put them anywhere you can find dead space like your shoes, sunglasses box, and hats.

Take the maximum use of personal item

Airlines allow their passengers to carry one personal item such as a laptop, backpack, or handbag along with them. Use this opportunity to reduce the weight of your carry-on. Take a rolling bag filled with small essential things is perfectly acceptable by the airlines.