Luggage size restrictions within the US

[Neoshoegal]

Last year we bought a new set of suitcases. One large one and a midsize one. Both these suitcases are well within the guidelines for airtravel.
For our next trip we need an internal flight in the US. Everywhere I look, the maximum size for a suitcase is 62inches. Well, the smaller of our 2 suitcases is just over 63inches and the other is 69inches. Excess charges aren't exactly mild (often more than the ticket).
Weight allowance is pretty much the same as over here (just under 23kg).
Not nice.
I'd be ok with paying the excess on the larger suitcases, it is rather large I admit, but the other one, seriously???

 

[2Tiggies]

Have you booked your flights already? I don't know anything about your travel itinerary, but I do know that if you book your flights at the same time as your international ones and have them added under the same booking reference number that they honour the larger allowance. The US has always had a "piece" system, but the relatively new luggage allowance restrictions generate a host of complaints from the Americans, if that's any consolation.

 

[Neoshoegal]

No can do, we arrive by ship, then have 2 days in New York before we fly out to Orlando.
Am actually considering buying another suitcase that is within the size restriction of 62inches. I'm hoping that the smaller of the 2 at 63inches might just get through...
Have also looked at how it would be to ship our luggage by UPS, not much of a difference! But still a bit more expensive than the excess charges

 

[2Tiggies]

I know this isn't ideal, especially since you bought some nice luggage last year, but maybe getting a slightly smaller one to sub the bigger bag would at least give you the peace of mind. Are they hardshell cases? Mine were about an inch over last year, and we had no hassles - they were not hardshell - and I wondered if they "squish" more when being measured and give you more flexibility. I think they find it easier to monitor weight accuratly than size and you are likely to get more flexibility on the latter. Still, peace of mind is priceless!

 

[Neoshoegal]

All hardshell suitcases! Not exactly room the squeeze them in!
We'll be getting another suitcase that is just within the guidelines.
I'm thinking of taking the biggest one anyway and calculate the excess ($75 with Jetblue) into our trip costs. The smaller suitcase is still larger than they allow, only by a tiny bit, so I guess there's a reasonable chance it might get through. But on the other hand, if it doesn't get through and I need to pay the excess anyway, I'd rather do it for the larger case.
We're away for 4 weeks: including 2 cruises, the first one a very formal one, and 2 different climates (cold North Atlantic and autumn in New York and then a warm Orlando), we'll need all the luggage space we can get!

 

[2Tiggies]

I can fully understand your need to take all the luggage! Four weeks with different dress codes is a long time. Sounds awesome though. It would make life so much easier if there were international sizes for luggage that were all consistent (Size A,B and C or something like that). Even on a domestic connection I had to go and buy MORE suitcases that we didn't need as they were cheaper that excess luggage. Can't remember which flight we'd been on but I'd not been able to link the bookings. Nuisance! But what you say about paying rather for the bigger one and being sure before you go is a good idea. I do remember worrying endlessly the few days before we flew home about meeting the allowance and you don't need that stress if you can avoid it.

 

[Neoshoegal]

The flights with JetBlue from NYC to Orlando are only $99 per person, adding $75 for extra size still makes it a very reasonably priced flight. And as you say, peace of mind is also worth quite a bit

 

[2Tiggies]

Agreed. Worrying takes a notable amount of the enjoyment of the trip from you. I am doing a lot of chatting considering I havent been able to help you!