Checked bag question

[maxiesmom]

I know I am probably making this harder than it really is, but I'm going to ask for advice anyway.

For my next trip to the World I am flying down on United, home on Southwest. So going down I have to pay for my bags while going home they will be free. I really don't want to have to pay for 2 bags on the way to Orlando, but would like to have 2 bags when going back home. I need space for all of my park purchased goodies.

Does it make sense to pack an empty soft side tote in my checked bag for the way down, and use that for extra space on the way home? Do people do that, check a soft sided tote bag? I don't want to buy more luggage while at WDW, I have plenty. Or what should I do?

 

[Alesia]

Yes, that's a smart plan

 

[Nick6300]

Unless I'm missing it, if you can fit an empty soft sided bag in your 1 checked bag on United - you can fill up that soft sided bag with merchandise at WDW and have 2 checked bags on SWA for free (only paying for the 1 checked at United).

We're taking SWA, but because there's 2 of us, we can take 2 bags plus a carry on backpack ea. (plenty). When we were originally thinking of taking Delta, I was thinking about using my premium card to get the airline credit towards the extra baggage costs.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ok, great! I have lots of tote bags to choose from! I'll just have to figure out which weighs the least, and which can hold the most. Thanks! I wanted to make sure there was something else I wasn't overlooking.

 

[mom2rtk]

I almost always put a small tote inside my suitcase, just in case I need it.

 

[cmwade77]

In cases like this, we have out a smaller suitcase inside a bigger one, just watch the weight limits, otherwise it works quite well.

 

[pooch]

Always have an extra bag folded in my suitcase for the trip home. Not only do I do a “tiny” bit of shopping but stuff never packs as well on the way home.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

This is great for that situation:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Protege-32in-Compactible-Rolling-Duffel-Black/324160937
It folds to the size of the end, about 12x12xmaybe 2 inches thick. It is very lightweight but not very durable. At that price it can be disposable every few trips and you're still ahead of paying $25 to check a bag each time.

 

[Shanti]

Yes, that will work. You can also bring a maximum-sized carry-on in the cabin with you on the way over, and check that bag on the way back.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes, that will work. You can also bring a maximum-sized carry-on in the cabin with you on the way over, and check that bag on the way back.

Unfortunately we are on a tiny CRJ for the first leg on the way down. Trying to go with only an under the seat bag.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you can find a fold up duffle bag, that would work great! Otherwise, use the largest allowable checked bag with the smaller one inside it. But, as others mentioned, be careful of weight limits!

 

[alliecat523]

Unfortunately we are on a tiny CRJ for the first leg on the way down. Trying to go with only an under the seat bag.

You can still bring it and let them gate check it for free.