Baggage Limits

[IMGONNABE40!]

I will be making a 16 day trip to FL cool1: ) next month and have been considering getting a new suitcase. The one I am looking at is a Samsonite FLite 31". In reading the reviews for this suitcase (mostly favorable) there was one that mentioned that the bag did not meet size requirements and she ditched the bag on the way to the airport for a smaller bag which she repacked. I looked at Delta's requirements (since I am flying Delta next month) and the requirement is that length plus width plus height has to be
62" or less. As luck would have it, the bag I am looking at is 64" total!

Here is what I am wondering. I would imagine that this will be my only bag. So, since I get 2, but only bring 1, will I be okay? Assuming that I am able to keep it to 50 lbs, does anyone know the amount $$$ that has to be paid for a bag that is too many inches? Does anyone know how much has to be paid for an overweight bag?

TIA!

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Along the same question as just posted:

How do you measure your luggage? Do you count the wheels and the handle as part of the measuring??? What about the pockets in front that stick out slightly? do you count that also?

I started getting out the suitcases for our trip. I started worrying about the size of the luggage. Any help would be appreciated.

Angela

 

[CarolA]

I will be making a 16 day trip to FL cool1: ) next month and have been considering getting a new suitcase. The one I am looking at is a Samsonite FLite 31". In reading the reviews for this suitcase (mostly favorable) there was one that mentioned that the bag did not meet size requirements and she ditched the bag on the way to the airport for a smaller bag which she repacked. I looked at Delta's requirements (since I am flying Delta next month) and the requirement is that length plus width plus height has to be
62" or less. As luck would have it, the bag I am looking at is 64" total!

Here is what I am wondering. I would imagine that this will be my only bag. So, since I get 2, but only bring 1, will I be okay? Assuming that I am able to keep it to 50 lbs, does anyone know the amount $$$ that has to be paid for a bag that is too many inches? Does anyone know how much has to be paid for an overweight bag?

TIA!

No it will not be OK. The luggage limit is PER bag, not per person.

The other risk with this monster is that it is probably going to be overweight.

And it's going to be COSTLY!

Delta charges you for EACH infraction. In other words there will be one charge for the suitcase being too big and another for it being overweight.


Airlines measure the outside of the suitcases. Wheels are included.

For your suitcase the oversize charge is $100 (each way)
The weight charges are $25 between 51 and 70 lbs and $50 over 70 lbs.

So each way they could wind up charging you an extra $100 to $125 . Dump this suitcase.

Even though you are going for three weeks, pack as if you were going for a week and plan to do laundry. Remember you aren't moving to MCO

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes - stand the bag up.
You measure from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the handle. You measure from the left side to the right side, again including any handle/s.
And you measure from front to back, including any pocket/expansion.
Add these three numbers and that's the dimension of your suitcase.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you for your reply. The FLite also comes in a 28" which is harder to find, but I think I will keep looking!

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Thanks katie. Guess I will have to find different luggage. Mine is TOO big!!!

Angela

 

[emilymad]

Definitely measure before you go! Last time I flew the ticket agent got out a measuring tape and measured my suitcase right at the counter! Luckily, it was ok since it never occured to me to measure at home.

 

[kelleigh1]

I ran into this problem last year. We have one big suitcase that we thought would be great instead of carrying multiple bags. We got charged for "overweight" on both legs of the trip. So even though I was allowed 3 bags at 50lbs each, I was still charged for having just 1 bag at 60lbs.

This year, we'll be taking multiple bags, and we're considering a "duffle" type of bag even.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do not get a 31" suitcase - it's just too large for flying these days. Pack lighter and get a smaller bag.

 

[maryliz]

When I was measuring my 29" one, I don't remember if I included the wheels or not ... I do remember that I cannot unzip the extra zipper to make it bigger, and I don't stuff the front pockets. But as for them pulling out a tape measure ... I kept the card thingy that came with the luggage that gave the height/width/depth measurements so that I can show anyone if they question me. Hopefully I don't run into any difficulties. And really, if you stuff it really full, it's definitely going to be over the 50lbs. The mechanisms especially in suitcases that are a little older weigh so much that the suitcase weighs 20lbs completely empty.

Last trip, I had taken some "toss away at the end of the trip" beach towels. We went for a swim before we left for the airport. DH says to me, "aren't we taking these home?" I told him not to bother opening up the suitcases ... I was planning on leaving them anyway. Get to the airport ... the suitcase weighed 49lbs Good thing I didn't add those wet towels. LOL

 

[CarolA]

I hate to say this, but the card that came from the luggage company is not going to be a good defense. The tape measure the agent is using will win!

They are cracking down... Airfares are TOO cheap so the airlines have to make it up on the "extras"

 

[pbharris4]

I just returned my 29" suitcase in favor for 25" that expands. It really held alot and I have another 26" (does not expand) that I'll use. I think a 28" might be cutting it too close too. Defintely get rid of the 31" and go with a 25" and maybe a 21" or big duffle for the extra room. Even the lasy at Macy's told me the monster 29" were too big for the airlines.

 

[Lewisc]

Any bag larger then 25" or 26" is likely to be overweight. Larger bags might not even fit in the trunk of many rental cars.

Airlines might let 51 lbs slide but most airlines will charge even if your bag is only 2 lbs overweight. A "tipped skycap" used to work but skycaps now weight bags. Rumor (might be urban legend) is skycaps get a small percentage of the revenue collected from overweight bags.

Consider packing an extra duffel bag. You can use it to re-arrange stuff if you go over. Works great for dirty laundry, allowing you to use your suitcase for souvenirs.

http://www.luggage.com/International-Traveller-9389-X-QG1036.html