Paying for Baggage

[Shanora]

OMG…. I'm So glad I didn't find out about this last minute. We are flying by American airlines…. $25 PER bag…. OMG each way. Its gonna cost us $200 for JUST OUT LUGGAGE! OMG. *sigh*

 

[keaster]

That's a lot of luggage! Can you streamline it some how?

Unfortunately, most airlines are now charging for luggage (Southwest does not, JetBlue also does not charge for the first checked bag). That's why you see so many people shoving huge bags into the overhead bin!

 

[Shanora]

4 bags there, and 4 bags back =$200 *sigh*
Thats not bad for 5 people.

 

[Shanora]

I'll have to see what I can move into carry on…. Maybe drop it down to 3 bags…. which I think should be doable….

 

[keaster]

Okay, that makes sense! Yes they definitely nickel and dime you!

 

[maryliz]

Just be sure to watch your 50lb weight limit on your bags, because the over-charge for that is crazy-expensive ! It's better to bite the bullet and take an extra suitcase than pay overweight charges.

 

[Disneylover99]

Just be sure to watch your 50lb weight limit on your bags, because the over-charge for that is crazy-expensive ! It's better to bite the bullet and take an extra suitcase than pay overweight charges.

Or get a luggage weight scale. About $20 at Sears. An excellent investment!

 

[kitntrip]

The cost for the bags really jack up your overall price, it's crazy! 4 bags there, but will you be getting souvies that you'll need an extra bag to bring? And yes, watch your weight! My aunt was caught with an overweight bag and had to pay over $70 I believe.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Keep that in mind when you go souvenir shopping. Thanks to the Lego store and the Wonderful World of Disney, my family tends to fly down with two bags and back with four.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Or get a luggage weight scale. About $20 at Sears. An excellent investment!

I was wondering where you could buy one of those scales. We *never* seem to be able to guestimate well on the weight of those bags. A $20 scale would be money well spent. Must put that on the to-buy list for August .

Edited to add..... a quick search shows that Walmart has an Air Canada brand scale (to 83 lbs) for $9.97. You can even order it online with free shipping.

 

[bdoyledimou]

you can also buy one at Walmart --

and the airlines are picky about it!!

Last trip on Air Tran we had one bag that was 50.1 Lbs. the max was 50lbs per bag --- we had to weight the other bags and found one that was 48 lbs, pulled a towel out of the one bag and stuck it in the other -- otherwise they would charge a $75 over weight fee -- which was stupid considering the same weight went onto the plane anyway -- glad with SW we get two free bags each at least.

 

[Disneylover99]

I was wondering where you could buy one of those scales. We *never* seem to be able to guestimate well on the weight of those bags. A $20 scale would be money well spent. Must put that on the to-buy list for August .

Or my husband says you can order one off of Amazon. It's amazing!!!! As he packs, he just weighs and adjusts his loads accordingly. We will never fly without it!

 

[Disneylover99]

you can also buy one at Walmart --

and the airlines are picky about it!!

Last trip on Air Tran we had one bag that was 50.1 Lbs. the max was 50lbs per bag --- we had to weight the other bags and found one that was 48 lbs, pulled a towel out of the one bag and stuck it in the other -- otherwise they would charge a $75 over weight fee -- which was stupid considering the same weight went onto the plane anyway -- glad with SW we get two free bags each at least.

They are so picky!!!! And you're right. If you have one bag at 45 pounds and one bag at 51 pounds it shouldn't really matter. But that's how they get you and make some extra money I guess.

I have seen so many people unpack their bags and try to rearrange their stuff at the resorts when they are trying to check their bags in because of bags that are too heavy. That is stress I do not need.

 

[redrosesix]

Even if you can't send your bags with ME when you leave, they can weigh your bags for you at bell services to make sure you're ok. We've gone down to 3 bags per trip to minimize luggage costs. We had 1 over 50 lbs, and two under so we shuffled things around before the ME bus showed up.

And we take our full allowance for carry ons now -- 1 carry on suitcase and 1 personal bag.

 

[Salinger]

As mentioned, a luggage scale is your friend these days.

Just a tip for anyone in the market for one, I don't know if you're familiar with dx.com but it's a huge online store in China. It's super cheap and everything is free shipping. I've ordered a lot of little things from them, and have never been disappointed.

Here's the luggage scale I bought from them last year. It's the exact same one I saw at my local Sears for $24.99 just without the logo. And let's face it, all these things are made in China anyway, so chances are it actually is the exact same one but just straight from the manufacturer. Anyway, I've been using it for months and it is very accurate and works like a charm. Only thing is, it can take up to a month to arrive as it's shipping from the other side of the world, but if you have the time, you can save some serious bucks.

http://dx.com/p/1-4-lcd-digital-luggage-scale-50kg-50g-1-x-cr2032-120711#.UyUeI_mwI09v

 

[GrtWtNorth]

The total baggage weight isn't the reason for the 50 pound per bag limit. That rule is in place to reduce baggage worker injuries. That's why airlines will charge premiums for a slightly overweight bag and suggest that you rearrange your luggage to save you money. The airlines are saving more by reducing their health care costs.

 

[Disneylover99]

The total baggage weight isn't the reason for the 50 pound per bag limit. That rule is in place to reduce baggage worker injuries. That's why airlines will charge premiums for a slightly overweight bag and suggest that you rearrange your luggage to save you money. The airlines are saving more by reducing their health care costs.

Well that makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[dennise]

Gna: I bought a Heys scale at Winners for $12. We have used it the past three trips, works great. Guessing didn't work great I now can shop a bit more.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks all. I had no idea they were so ridiculously cheap! Will be buying one before our next trip for sure .

 

[Shanora]

Yeah I've been weighing mine on the digital bathroom scale. And I think we are going to pack our carry ons as well....just to make sure that we have enough room. 13 days until we leave so ill have to keep at it this way and we should be able to move items around as needed.
Thanks.