Are you packing less in your suitcase these days?

[NYCgrrl]

What's the charge now with most airlines for a checked bag? I'm sure it has risen a good bit.

For JetBlue it’s $45 or $50, domestic. JB now travel overseas but I don’t know the luggage fee.

 

[AnnaS]

Always checked a bag and a carry on. I am the type that will take the house with me . Driving, I pack until the last minute.

My next trip, flying solo for the first time. Want to avoid checking a bag in. I will attempt to put what I need in a carry-on and backpack (as my personal bag). We will have washer and dryer in the 2BDR. If I see I can’t get everything I want, I will give in and pay for a checked baggage. I never wear half the clothes I bring…….hoping I can do it.

I am giving my daughter a few items to drive down for me (things I don’t need back/she lives out of state). This might do the trick. If it works out, trip after that, I will do the same and give a few things to my son who will be driving (I can give him a little more since he lives 15 minutes away ).

 

[leebee]

I prefer to check a bag. I struggle getting a heavy carry-on out of the overhead bin, and I hate schlepping it through the airport. Having said that, on my last trip, SW lost my bag. First, it went on a different flight than I did (as my flight plan changed after checking it in, when I was at the gate). OK, fine... but it wasn't on the flight it was supposed to be on. They found it, and it sat at the destination airport for a week before they got it to me. Definitely rethinking checking a bag when I go solo in November.

 

[**Courtney**]

Absolutely not, the carry on only lifestyle is not for me at all. Minimalist packing stresses me out way more than just bringing what I want, “capsule” wardrobes are boring as all get out to me, and hotel toiletries are useless for my hair and skin so I always need to bring my own, in full sizes. Not a single time have I ever wished I didn’t check a bag when I did, but the rare times I’ve tried to carry on only for anything longer than like 2 days I’ve regretted it every single time. I get free checked bags on 2 airlines and use AirTags so I’m not worried about fees or losing anything.

Same here. I check a large suitcase and carry on a small suitcase and a small personal item. I have too many fun Disney clothes to only bring a carry-on, and wear clothes more than once!! I also am particular about products I use!

 

[Newsies]

I always say I'm going to "bring less" on my trips so that I have more room to bring home souvenirs, but it never seems to quite work for me We usually drive and have tons of room in the truck for everything we need for the week, but I'm flying down solo next week and tried my best to keep everything organized and as minimal as possible. Going for a week so definitely need the suitcase, but I think I did pretty good. Used a lot of packing cubes, so everything has its place and the suitcase still feels light with ample room for bringing things home. I am bringing a personal item (backpack) and carry-on duffel too, though, to carry a few things I'd rather not have in my suitcase in case I need something before my room is ready.

Agree with you on the shampoo and conditioner -- have always brought my own because I'm also picky about my hair care. I used the h20 stuff out of sheer laziness (oops) on several occasions during my last trip and was fine, so going to go without shampoo and conditioner... but I'll still need my styling gels/creams and the travel diffuser I bring from home #curlyhairproblems

 

[MabelM]

No. Our trip is 7-8 nights and I cannot pack in a carryon for that. Due to status, I can check a lot of bags.

 

[NYCgrrl]

My next longer trip (14 days) has me in a delirium! A washing machine on site- be still my beating heart . Yes but still same amt of clothing for a carry-on but way more food packing than my norm- bringing a cooler.

 

[AnnaS]

Getting close to my trip. I think I can do it!!!! I will know 100% in a few more days. I might not be able to put the extra long/zippered sweatshirt, denim (Tinkerbell on the back) jacket, extra sandals, but I think I can manage. I gave my daughter a few other small items last week. I think I can, I think I can............

 

[miksicnarf]

I prefer to check a bag. I struggle getting a heavy carry-on out of the overhead bin, and I hate schlepping it through the airport. Having said that, on my last trip, SW lost my bag.

You might try my MO: First, I use compression bags to fit everything into a carry-on and an underseat bag. I also don't like to wrangle with the overhead so I gate-check my carry-on. You still have to schlep it to the gate but it's free and there's virtually no chance of it getting lost.