Luggage Weight Restrictions?

[Newfie2000]

We are leaving for WDW in 8 days! We are flying United/Ted airlines. According to their website we are only allowed 2 pieces of luggage less than 50 pounds each. I have large luggage and can easily fit a lot more into them and did not feel like dragging half full luggage all around so DH and I went out luggage shoppping this week. We were looking at luggage and talking about size/weight variations and two different parties standing nearby assured us we did not need to purchase new luggage and to just give the bags to the porter instead of checking them in ourselves. We thanked them and waited for them to leave the area and then DH and I grabbed four new suitcases (smaller than ours) and headed to the very long check out line. An elderly woman behind us struck up a conversation by asking us where we were travelling to, we told her and then DH made a comment about the new luggage restrictions and that being the reason we had to get new luggage. She started laughing, asked us what airlines we were using and then told us they had just returned from a cruise last weekend and we should of seen the size of the luggage people had! She assured us that both of her bags weighed well over 50 pounds also. Now we are a bit confused and feel silly spending so much money if not necessary so we wind up leaving without the luggage. What should we do? How strict are the regulations? Do we actually avoid this by giving the guy our luggage and not taking it in ourselves? 50 pounds is really not a lot and we are going for close to three weeks, considering the weight of the luggage itself I don't think I can stay under that! Any thoughts? TIA!

 

[CleveRocks]

It all depends on the person who is checking you in. Some will charge you extra, some won't. You shouldn't rely on the kindness of strangers.

Do you want new luggage, or are you just spending the money to avoid the additional airline fee? If you really don't want new luggage, and you don't fly much, it might be worth it just to pay the fees rather than buy new luggage. Check out how much it will cost you for overweight luggage.

 

[CPT Tripss]

If you are close to the weight limit, the porter might let it go. But, their arms are pretty well calibrated and if it's too much over they are just as likely to weigh it. The folks on the check in desks almost always weigh the bags and if over, you stand a good chance of being charged or of having to repack to avoid the charges.
We weigh our bags at home before flying just to be safe.

 

[Newfie2000]

Do you want new luggage, or are you just spending the money to avoid the additional airline fee? If you really don't want new luggage, and you don't fly much, it might be worth it just to pay the fees rather than buy new luggage. Check out how much it will cost you for overweight luggage.

No, I really do not want/need new luggage! I just did not feel like lugging around 28" suiters half full in order to adhere to the rules. And I was going to just risk it and pay the extra fee, until I looked it up and discovered that for each piece of overweight luggage I would be charged $ 50.00. Multiply that round trip and that's $100.00 a bag for something I don't own - kinda makes the new luggage idea tempting. Hhhhmmm...choices, choices...I am kind of thinking maybe I could just take one bag packed full and risk the $50.00 fee. But I surely would hate even $100.00 in fees and I definitely do not wish to get caught or cause problems at the airport. Hopefully some others will will share their experiences too! Thanks for the advice, if only it were that easy...

 

[Lewisc]

SW weighs the bags. They'll let 51 pounds slide. Anything heavier and the passenger either has to re-arrange their stuff or pay. Skycaps who weigh the bag put a tag on the bag and write the weight on the tag. Maybe a "tipped" skycap can let 52 or 53 pound slide but that's about it. There is a rumor that some airlines actually give the skycaps a cut of the overweight fees. I'm not sure if that's urban legend.

If you don't travel much you can just go to a store like Target and buy a couple of duffel bags. One choice is to just pack an extra duffel bag. If you go over just re-arrange your stuff.

 

[goofy4tink]

SW weighs the bags. They'll let 51 pounds slide. Anything heavier and the passenger either has to re-arrange their stuff or pay. Skycaps who weigh the bag put a tag on the bag and write the weight on the tag. Maybe a "tipped" skycap can let 52 or 53 pound slide but that's about it. There is a rumor that some airlines actually give the skycaps a cut of the overweight fees. I'm not sure if that's urban legend.

If you don't travel much you can just go to a store like Target and buy a couple of duffel bags. One choice is to just pack an extra duffel bag. If you go over just re-arrange your stuff.

They sure do. As I stood there, last Sat, waiting for them to figure out my stupid problem, I watched one poor woman pull 3 pounds of stuff out of her bag and put it into her carryon!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

It's serious, and it won't be long before the Skycap workaround is history. The overweight and oversize fees are easy revenue, and the airlines are not going to look that gift horse in the mouth anymore. Elderly people and people travelling with tours are going to get a bit more slack, just due to the time it would take to get the extra fee collected, but sooner or later that loophole will close, too.

I would be careful of WHERE you buy your luggage, though. Never pay retail. Two really good places to get name-brand luggage for less are Marshall's/TJMaxx or Tuesday Morning. I just bought a really nice 20" lightweight Victorinox at Marshall's for less than $40; the 26" in the same line was $57.

 

[Lewisc]

Be careful buying luggage at close out stores like the stores you suggest. You can get a "good deal" but some of the bags are being dumped because they're either larger in size than permitted by some airlines or a too heavy empty to be useful.

It's serious, and it won't be long before the Skycap workaround is history. The overweight and oversize fees are easy revenue, and the airlines are not going to look that gift horse in the mouth anymore. Elderly people and people travelling with tours are going to get a bit more slack, just due to the time it would take to get the extra fee collected, but sooner or later that loophole will close, too.

I would be careful of WHERE you buy your luggage, though. Never pay retail. Two really good places to get name-brand luggage for less are Marshall's/TJMaxx or Tuesday Morning. I just bought a really nice 20" lightweight Victorinox at Marshall's for less than $40; the 26" in the same line was $57.

 

[CarolA]

We are leaving for WDW in 8 days! We are flying United/Ted airlines. According to their website we are only allowed 2 pieces of luggage less than 50 pounds each. I have large luggage and can easily fit a lot more into them and did not feel like dragging half full luggage all around so DH and I went out luggage shoppping this week. We were looking at luggage and talking about size/weight variations and two different parties standing nearby assured us we did not need to purchase new luggage and to just give the bags to the porter instead of checking them in ourselves. We thanked them and waited for them to leave the area and then DH and I grabbed four new suitcases (smaller than ours) and headed to the very long check out line. An elderly woman behind us struck up a conversation by asking us where we were travelling to, we told her and then DH made a comment about the new luggage restrictions and that being the reason we had to get new luggage. She started laughing, asked us what airlines we were using and then told us they had just returned from a cruise last weekend and we should of seen the size of the luggage people had! She assured us that both of her bags weighed well over 50 pounds also. Now we are a bit confused and feel silly spending so much money if not necessary so we wind up leaving without the luggage. What should we do? How strict are the regulations? Do we actually avoid this by giving the guy our luggage and not taking it in ourselves? 50 pounds is really not a lot and we are going for close to three weeks, considering the weight of the luggage itself I don't think I can stay under that! Any thoughts? TIA!

You are not idiot. The folks with this "theory" are.

1. You may not always be able to use a skycap. If there are weather or mechancial issues with your flight you will probably have to go in and check in

2. Skycaps are weighing luggage. Rumor is that some airlines are really jumping all over them for overweight. Most of them have scales. And at some airports (ATL) the line for skycaps can be LONGER then the Kiosk lines (where you will be weighed)

3. They do and WILL allow you to repack at the counter or pay. Those are your options. Lately I have seen no one except elite level or first class passengers excused from the pay up rules.

4. And unless you are just dying to start your vacation with back trouble WHY do you want a 60 lb piece of luggage? If it takes that much stuff step back and think again. You aren't moving to Orlando (or wherever) just visiting. Your senior citizen was probably not accurate. I have yet to go on a cruise where you could store 100 lbs of luggage in a state room

Marshall's and TJ Maxx have great deals. The luggage is usually one season old (just discontinued colors) and they have recently had some of the very nice Delsy lightweight luggage for example. I wouldn't hesitate to buy there. Tuesday Morning does have some stuff that weighs 50 lbs empty however.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And of course, if you buy them at Marshall's/TJMaxx, you may want to consider paying cash

 

[CarolA]

And of course, if you buy them at Marshall's/TJMaxx, you may want to consider paying cash

HUH????

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Both American and United have made me readjust my 51.5 pound bags!!

Now I always weigh them at home first! (I am great at getting them to 49 lbs now )

Also, not sure if anyone else posted this, but I believe most of the TSA desks at the WDW resorts have scales in the lobby to weigh there as well.

Happy Packing!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Be careful buying luggage at close out stores like the stores you suggest. You can get a "good deal" but some of the bags are being dumped because they're either larger in size than permitted by some airlines or a too heavy empty to be useful.

I guess I thought that it went without saying that if she wanted smaller/more lightweight luggage than what she now has, that she would pay attention to the size/weight of what she was buying.

Luggage that is too big/heavy for airline use is still being made and sold -- lots of people only travel by car, and they don't care about the airline restrictions, so there is still a market for it. Take your measuring tape and read the label for the weight.

PS: the crack about cash at TJX Corp. stores is a reference to the system hack they suffered last month. A lot of customer data was hacked.

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry it was intended for anyone else reading this thread. Several posters got a "great deal" on old luggage that was on sale because it was too big.

Most car trunks aren't that big.

I guess I thought that it went without saying that if she wanted smaller/more lightweight luggage than what she now has, that she would pay attention to the size/weight of what she was buying.

Luggage that is too big/heavy for airline use is still being made and sold -- lots of people only travel by car, and they don't care about the airline restrictions, so there is still a market for it. Take your measuring tape and read the label for the weight.

PS: the crack about cash at TJX Corp. stores is a reference to the system hack they suffered last month. A lot of customer data was hacked.

 

[Newfie2000]

Okay... thank you all so much! I guess I should of followed by original instincts and bought the darn luggage! I would of just rather had to handle one heavy piece than 2 medium pieces! In the past I do not remember dealing with a weight issue in 2000 I actually had my large suiter packed not only with three weeks of clothes but also a chess set (souvenir) which consisted of a marble board and all pewter pieces. My bag weighed a ton and even I struggled with it but noone said a word. Of course things really have changed. Thanks again! Tomorrow it will be off to see if the luggage we were looking at is still on sale!

 

[NotUrsula]

Most car trunks aren't that big.

Perhaps, but there are cars and then there are cars. I meant via "personal motor vehicle" so I was including larger vehicles such as SUV's.

My monster 30" Samsonite 4 Wheel Ultralite fits very nicely in the trunk of our Camry, btw, along with a hardside ice chest and 2 22" rollaboards. It's still a great case, but it measures 63", so we can't fly with it anymore. I used to routinely pack it to 70# when I was travelling with the baby in Europe and needed one hand free to push the buggy.

 

[safetymom]

Most airlines are getting very good at charging for overweight luggage. Those fees can add up quickly if you take a trip with a connection. They can charge you for each connection.

I think most people overpack anyway.

 

[goofy4tink]

HUH????

It's that whole credit card thing up here...seems TJX wasn't very careful about holding onto their customer's info...they got hacked and now millions of people who shopped in their stores have been effected. Myself included. Kinda makes you want to use only cash in the future.

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry my post wasn't worded better, I can't send you a PM.

A few posters got a "great deal" on bags from Marshalls. My memory is was bags that list for $250 (not that anyone ever pays that) were bought for something like $20. It was labelled "final sale" but the store took them back. The bags were much larger than the airlines accept.

I wasn't attacking your suggestion to try a close out store, GREAT OPTION, but rather a warning for to make sure of the size. BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER. Many of us have watched a family trying to stuff their bags in a rental car.

My post was intented as a warning to anyone looking to buy new luggage, patciularly a store that is selling stuff major stores can't sell.

BTW some "expert" claims we shouldn't be using roller bags. He says the wheels dramatically reduces the space available for packing and increases the weight. I'd rather just roll an extra bag but he makes some sense.

edited to add The OP was talking to someone in the store. A few airlines may still have a 70 lb limit, particularly for elite flyers or first class. It's possible the person the OP was talking to was subject to a 70 lb limit.

Perhaps, but there are cars and then there are cars. I meant via "personal motor vehicle" so I was including larger vehicles such as SUV's.

My monster 30" Samsonite 4 Wheel Ultralite fits very nicely in the trunk of our Camry, btw, along with a hardside ice chest and 2 22" rollaboards. It's still a great case, but it measures 63", so we can't fly with it anymore. I used to routinely pack it to 70# when I was travelling with the baby in Europe and needed one hand free to push the buggy.

 

[CarolA]

The wheels do take up space as does the handle. That said, I would rather give up the space then lug that stuff around it's a trade off. (And once again do you need that space? It's Orlando not the jungle!)