Air Tran Luggage Fee vs. extra carry on

[panfan]

Hi! For some odd reason , I seemed to be obsessed with the luggage fee of $15.00 per checked bag. Yes, I saved with the $25.00 Coupons. Yes, It ended up being cheaper than Southwest and we get to choose our seats ahead of time etc.

For some strange reason the luggage fee is in my brain a little too much. I know its really a small fee compared to what we are spending on our WDW vacation but I am fixated on it . LOL.

So, do you all try to pack the maximum allowed in your carryons or just "bite the bullet" and pay the fee?

I am traveling w/ the three kids and they could probably all "carry on " their clothes etc so maybe we could get away with only one checked bag.

What does everyone else do?

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

We just booked a one-way Air Tran flight from BWI - LAX this morning. We will be gone for a week - but staying at the Grand Cali DVC 2 bedroom villa with a washer/dryer.

Every other flight this fall (lots for business and personal travel) will be on Southwest. This will be the only time we pay to check luggage.

Yes, we know we have to pay for luggage. We have managed to just consider it part of the $$$ of the air travel segment of our vacation.

We will each have a small rolling bag we will carry on (and into the overhead). We carry one-day's supplies and I have an assortment of meds I carry that must stay with me (too dangerous for me to loose them!).

For our long trips (cross country) I will pack a picnic lunch for the flight. We will also carry lightweight blankets, books to read and I carry my stuffed blue Sully to use as my pillow (I will sleep most of the flight).

I am not an overnight - bag packer for a week-long trip but I have NOTHING on my husband who could relocate to another city with the things he carries in his luggage.

If you are traveling with children, you may find trying to manage the children AND luggage for all onboard the flight with you as carryon -- may just be too much of a challenge.

Air travel is challenging enough!

 

[mitsybella]

Im thinking of doing the same thing, but with all carry on bags probably will end up checking 1 bag also. If your children are old enough to wheel their own bag I say go for it, why not save money.

 

[panfan]

Thanks for the replies so far, it is interesting to read how each person sees it

I know that $15 is a silly amt to be worried about and truth is, would gladly just "chalk it up" to travel/plane expense but it seems almost like a challenge to see how this could be worked out.

 

[kevgraub]

I think it depends a little on your situation. Some things I would consider are:

How old are your kids, and are they able to handle their own luggage through the airport?

Are you flying direct, or do you have a layover? If you are flying direct, I'd be more inclined to go with more carry-on luggage. If you have a connection, remember that the carry-on luggage will slow you down making your connection, and will be that much more to worry about as you make your connection.

How large is your local airport? We fly in and out of Kansas City, which is very small and you seldom have to walk more than a few steps from where the shuttle lets you off, to the desk, then to your gate. In larger airports where you have to take off on a mini-vacation just getting from point A to point B, I'd be more inclined to check more stuff and have fewer bags to haul across the airport.

 

[Shagley]

Thanks for the replies so far, it is interesting to read how each person sees it

I know that $15 is a silly amt to be worried about and truth is, would gladly just "chalk it up" to travel/plane expense but it seems almost like a challenge to see how this could be worked out.

That is exactly how I see it too. I plan on taking only a carry on for my trip in September just because I want to prove to myself that I can travel light. I'll probably end up spending more to buy all of my travel size toiletries than I would just to check a bag - but it is an adventure (and I am only getting little containers that I can refill and reuse for future trips).

 

[Lewisc]

I always include the cost to check at least one bag per passenger when I'm comparing airline fares. I just assume the airline is "lying" and showing a fare $15 below the real fare.

Are you using DME? Some of your savings will wind up going to tips to the DME driver and to bell services if you need to get your luggage stored. Maybe try to get by with one checked bags for two passengers, 2 bags for a family of 4.

Great point regarding connecting flights. Also check your local airport. Some airports have long corridors to get to the gates. Newer airports, like MCO, have a tram, but older airports may have long walks.

You got a $25 coupon. That means it will only cost you $5 to check a bag R/T.

 

[Missytara]

I agree; it was worth it to me to pay the $15.00 per bag to use Airtran, so I could use the RAC desk at POR. Paying a few dollars extra doesn't bother me, when it comes down to convenience.

I don't have to tip the DME drivers, the skycaps, etc. to handle all of my luggage. It is all taken care of for me. Add the convenience of handling my bags only at my home airport and you've got yourself a deal!

Besides, you are going to a place that charges almost $3.00 for a bottled water. The $15.00 seems like nothing to me.

 

[NancyIL]

If you don't check a bag, you can't pack any liquids in your carry-on that are more than 3.4 oz. (100 ml).

 

[JEAhrtWDW]

Due to the checked luggage fees, instead of DD and I each having our own luggage, we will pack in the largest suitcase possible without going over the weight limit. I try to carryon as little as possible.

 

[Missytara]

Remember, that is 3.4 ounce containers that can fit into a one quart ziplock bag.

Some people talk about buying stuff when they get down there. Again, having to divert to a grocery store, rent a car, have delivery of items would cost more than the $15.00 baggage charge.

 

[kristenrice]

I am in the planning stages of a trip with my BFF. I have a 19" rolling carry-on and a boarding bag (for my computer) that fits under the seat. I also use packing cubes so I will have no problem packing for 5 nights in just carry-on luggage. I actually prefer to check as much as possible so I have to carry as little as possible. But...being the budget-minded person that I am, I see no reason to pay to check a bag that is a perfectly acceptable carryon.