How much luggage do you take?

[Danauk]

There are two of us going and we take 3 suitcases. I pack one large and one medium sized samsonite case. Then I put the medium case inside a large case to fill on the way home. On the way out we have one bag with hand luggage in but we pack a spare bag just in case we need it on the way home (we use this bag when we go to the parks etc on the trip.) We book direct with the airlines, last time we flew BA and this time Virgin (who we have flown to America before with). With them you are allowed 2 cases at 32kg each per person (which is a good job as last time one case weighed 31.8kg!!)

 

[magicgirl]

For those taking very large suitcases check that the dimensions fit what the airlines allow. They are getting stricter about size and weight of individual cases.

The least we took with us was when just DH and I went. WE just took hand luggage but came back with cases right up to the limit!! This was before we realised that we were only allowed to bring back £145 of stuff each and that we should have declared the rest.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

For DH, myself and DD nearly 2, we take 2 big suitcases. They are usually full on the way out but previously some of it has been stuff like swim nappies, organic baby food and formula milk that wont be coming home. Now DD is a bit older we dont need much of that stuff plus we do a Walmart shop to stock up on toiletries, nappies etc.We also pack a fold up holdall that we use on the way home.

For our May trip DD has a seat so between us we have a massive baggage allowance as we are flying with Virgin. THe problem for us is physically carrying/managing the luggage as well as DD and the hand luggage at the airport. With one of us pushing the pram the other pushes the luggage cart we only just manage now.

I posted a thread on the DVC community this morning asking for strategies for 'packing light'. With a washer dryer I should be able to cut right back!

Mandy

 

[gilld]

We take a large case each and often a holdall packed for all the things we buy. The allowance is so great I think it would be hard to go over it and stay within the import allowance.

 

[LindseyUK]

Does anyone weigh their cases before going or do you just hope for the best? Our allowance with Britannia is 20kg - previously I have always travelled with a more generous allowance so I haven't worried about it- I've just taken what I've needed and never been challenged.

I have no idea what 20kg feels like! I suppose I could put the cases on the bathroom scales......if we were over the allowance, would they make us take stuff out and bin it?

 

[patdavies]

I have no idea what 20kg feels like! I suppose I could put the cases on the bathroom scales......if we were over the allowance, would they make us take stuff out and bin it?

Nope, they will usually make you pay an extortionate price per extras kilo. It is, in fact, worked out as a percentage of the full, non-discounted passenger fare. If everybody goes over, then cargo/fuel weight may need to be reduced. Some will be absorbed by the passengers at the pointy end who have an allowance of 96 kgs each and it takes one hell of a lot of shopping to reach 96 kgs - we haven't managed it yet

A tip: the hotter it is, the more strict they have to be because hotter air reduces the lift of the wings and so the airline needs to have more accurate weight figures