When you travel, every dollar you don’t spend on getting to your destination is a dollar that you can spend on things you want to do. You certainly do not want to waste all of your cash just getting to where you are going only to find out you can’t afford to have any fun 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 luggage.

Best Carry On Bags

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 no small sum. If you have 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 afford, and a commitment to pack only the absolute essentials.

The most fundamental part of this process is 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 look for 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 a bag that is going to fell like carrying a ton of bricks.

The last thing to seek in a piece of luggage 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 what you need and nothing more. This is the most important thing to remember. If you can live without an item, don't pack it. Bring versatile clothes that can work together in several combinations. Wash your clothes while at your destination if it is a long trip. Buy things like soap and toothpaste when you get to your hotel rather than packing them. Just use your common sense, and bring only the essentials.

If you follow these suggestions you can save $70 per round trip. 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.

Best Carry On Bags