Luggage scale/weighing your bags

[sixkristy6]

In the past, DH and I always hoped our suitcases (which were free to check last time we flew which was 2007) were not too heavy. Sometimes he held the suitcase while standing on the scale.

Then, I saw a small luggage scale, but it was $21 at Wal-Mart. I cannot find anything else anywhere (I am sure if I go to AAA I will, but I mean local stores). I will check Amazon and eBay, but I would like to know where you purchased your scale.

 

[dudspizza]

In the past, DH and I always hoped our suitcases (which were free to check last time we flew which was 2007) were not too heavy. Sometimes he held the suitcase while standing on the scale.

Then, I saw a small luggage scale, but it was $21 at Wal-Mart. I cannot find anything else anywhere (I am sure if I go to AAA I will, but I mean local stores). I will check Amazon and eBay, but I would like to know where you purchased your scale.

There are simple hand held scales designed for weighing luggage. I have a physicians scale in my house that I use. It is large enough that the bag sits on it.

Another thing we have done is find an open scale at the airport and test the bag before actually checking it in...

Something like this will work..... http://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Lugg...P22S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1339645803&sr=8-4
or http://www.walmart.com/ip/Protege-Luggage-Scale-and-Tape-Measure/17472591

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

You can always get a good ballpark idea if you're over just using your bathscales at home. We always give it a looksy to make sure the checked luggage isn't over 50lbs/ I shoot for about 45 lbs and then I feel safe it won't be over when it gets officially weighed at check in

 

[dudspizza]

Funny thing happened to us on our last trip, this was on Frontier out of MSP. I put my bag on the scale first and it was 48 pounds. Removed that bag and DW put hers up there..... we knew it was about 43 pounds, but it read 53....... we both started to panic until we looked up and the agent had a smile on his face..... his foot was on the scale, the punk! We all laughed and off to the gate we went.....

Duds

 

[JerseyGirl53]

Since we fly on Spirit and their checked luggage limit is 40lbs, I definitely had to make sure of the weight of our bags. I bought a handheld luggage scale at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I think it was $19.99 less my 20% coupon. It works out well.

 

[francie57]

We purchased ours at the local AAA office. We use it all the time when we are traveling. At a conference at the YC now and it is with him and we will use it before we check our luggage at RAC on Sunday. It is so easy to use and so easy to pack in a carry on. It has really saved us several times as we have packed our luggage with one weight too much and have to move things around. It is also very consistant with the weight that the scales at the airport/RAC come up with.

 

[kaytieeldr]

A fish scale would work, too. Generally cheaper than a luggage scale but similar design; just get one that goes over 50 pounds.

Another option for keeping your luggage under weight is the wise travel advice: lay out everything you plan to pack. Put half of it back in the closet/dresser immediately.

 

[DebbieB]

I've weighed myself and then weighed again holding the luggage. I have a 29" suitcase and the only time it goes over 50 pounds is if I have materials for work, like manuals (business trips). I've never had one come close on a vacation and I overpack clothes.

 

[Traveliz]

I purchased mine from TravelSmith.

Liz

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I use a fish scale. Yup, it's the scale I used to use for weighing the fish we caught.

It was really cheap - like about 5.00. It has a hook on it to put on your suitcase handle and then you lift it up and look at the weight.

Mines always been accurate - within a pound or two and I don't have to mess with the battery operated ones that always seemed to need new batteries when I went to use it.

The only time my suitcase ever came close to 50 pounds was the time my FIL gave us the very old 8mm canisters of film of family trips to bring home. We split them among 3 suitcases and it really raised the weight.

 

[NotUrsula]

We always pack a lightweight cloth duffel inside the bag when it is large, and if I think we might be over we check it using an unused ticketing station at the airport (even when the station is closed the scales will be operative, because they are wired on the same circuit as the lights.)

If necessary we move a few heavy items from the checked bag to the duffel or carry them on if we are in a pay for a second bag situation. (Shoes add weight, so they are good items to remove to lower it; for this reason, always pack them where they are easily accessible so you can pull them out without tearing the bag apart.) Remember that paying for a second bag is pretty much universally cheaper than paying for an overweight bag, so an emergency duffel is a good idea if you typically overpack.

I've gotten quite good at gauging the weight of our bags when they are packed. Normally I can pack the large one to the brim with space bags and hit between 48.3 and 48.8 lbs. nearly every time.

 

[jill4140]

They let us weigh our bags for free on certified airlines scales at the baggage storage facility at the lake Buena Vista Outlet mall off 535.

 

[caroli]

I also bought a handheld luggage scale. Works fine but every time I used it my back suffers

 

[ajpa]

I've weighed myself and then weighed again holding the luggage.

This is what we do as well.

 

[ktpc2005]

I use one every time.

We have a large bag and before I even put it on the scale, the gate agent was like that bag is going to be $50. I told her its 48lbs and she looked at me with an expression like sure. Her draw dropped when I put it on the scale and it said 48. She was like how did you know that and I was like I have a portable scale.

 

[figment_jii]

I bought one from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MBU6IW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00) and it's worked well for me. As others have said, I aim for about 5 lbs under the weight limit to be safe and haven't had any problems!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I bought one from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MBU6IW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00) and it's worked well for me. As others have said, I aim for about 5 lbs under the weight limit to be safe and haven't had any problems!

I have this one too. I bought mine from Kohls with a 30% off coupon + free shipping a few years ago. Back then I paid around $16.
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/cro...is+N+Clark+Balanzza+Digital+Luggage+Scale.jsp
I liked it so much I gave one to my mom & friend who loves to travel also. They both say they love theirs too. It's great that you don't have to try to read it while holding it off the floor. You simply hold it up for a few seconds til you hear it beep. The reading stays on the display screen until you reset it.
I wouldn't travel using full-size luggage without it.