How to Avoid Carry On Luggage Fees

By now everyone knows that there are specific rules regarding checking your luggage at the airport. Violate a luggage restriction and you will be required to pay an additional luggage fee. But did you know that there are regulations that apply to your carry-on luggage as well? Although regulations for carry on luggage have been around as long as fees for traditional checked luggage, airlines are only now really beginning to really enforce them. Perhaps they are trying to make more money by charging more fees. Here are the regulations you need to follow when packing your carry on luggage to ensure that you do not have to pay an additional luggage fee.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring Tape or Ruler

1. Measure the height of your luggage and make sure that it is no more than about 22 inches high.

2. Measure the width of your luggage and make sure that it is no more than about 14 inches wide.

3. Make sure that the total dimensions of your luggage do not add up to more than 45 inches. For example, using the above measurements, you would add 22 and 14. This equals 36 so you should be fine.

4. Go to each airline's website and verify their requirements for womens purses. Women are allowed to take a purse in addition to one carry on item. However, large purses may count as a carry on and be charged a fee.

5. You can take one carry on bag plus one personal item. Women if you are carrying a purse, you may not be allowed to carry a laptop if you want to check a bag. This rule is not always enforced, but be prepared in case it is.

6. Weigh your luggage at home. Carry on luggage cannot weigh more than 40 pounds. Also, leave enough room so that you can bring back souvenirs. If you pack a bag exactly to the 40 lb limit, you will go over the limit on your return flight and be required to pay a luggage fee.