Question about luggage

[BijouBabe]

Baggage fees have changed since I last flew to a US destination, so I am trying to decide a plan of action. We are flying Delta and the first bag is $25, and the second bag is $35. I know for a fact we'll be buying souvenirs and I am packing for two of us. My idea is that I would take the largest piece of luggage and then nest the next size down in it with our stuff packed in the smaller one (hopefully it's less than 50 pounds) so then we only check one bag on the way there and then on the way back we would have both suitcases separated and packed and check two pieces. Is this realistic? Last vacation I flew to Mexico and my checked bag was free and my other one was a carry on. We do have carry on pieces as well that I though about packing some of our stuff in so then we just take the one large suitcase and that's it for checked baggage.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

My idea is that I would take the largest piece of luggage and then nest the next size down in it with our stuff packed in the smaller one (hopefully it's less than 50 pounds) so then we only check one bag on the way there and then on the way back we would have both suitcases separated and packed and check two pieces. Is this realistic? .

We fly Jetbue and get a free checked bag pp, but we do something similar with our carry-ons (just because we are lazy and don't like hauling anything more through the airport than we need to ).

Because we have a washer and dryer in our villa, we put our carry on inside our larger suitcase, pack the carry on (and the remainder of the space inside the larger case, if needed) then check the whole thing at baggage check. We keep one carry on with us for essentials (chargers, medications, change of clothes, etc.) but the rest gets checked. So for three of us, on the way to our destination, we have just one carry on to lug around the airport. That leaves us two fully empty carry ons to hold our souvenirs and shopping purchases, plus the extra space inside our full sized luggage .

 

[dennise]

It would be $25 for each bag if there are two of you. When it was one bag free, we did the smaller one inside the larger and had to pay for only one bag each, but we usually do a lot of shopping.

 

[bankr63]

Another big shopping family here. We have a couple of collapsible duffel bags that fit into their own pockets - one from Land's End, one from Target. They take up about as much space as a pair of jeans on the way down, and are sturdy enough to check on the way back.

Last trip we went completely carry-on on the way down (had a very short connecting time in Toronto after our direct flight got cancelled); this avoided any fees. Then we checked the carry-on suitcases on the home trip and used smaller carryon bags for the overflow.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Another big shopping family here. We have a couple of collapsible duffel bags that fit into their own pockets - one from Land's End, one from Target. They take up about as much space as a pair of jeans on the way down, and are sturdy enough to check on the way back. Last trip we went completely carry-on on the way down (had a very short connecting time in Toronto after our direct flight got cancelled); this avoided any fees. Then we checked the carry-on suitcases on the home trip and used smaller carryon bags for the overflow.

We do the same and it works wonderfully! Just check the size if the duffle though as I bought one and was surprised how small it was once opened.

 

[alc571]

We're an exception. We do carry-on only for our trips. We have three large duffles (max allowable as per carry-on sizing) that we put everything in. DS is only 8, so his clothes are small. We pack only the essentials that would be expensive to buy. Small stuff we purchase at Target (toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.) before we go to the hotel. DS and I also carry small backpacks as our +1. We buy a fair amount of souvenirs, and have never had any issues coming back. We've been able to fit it all in, and never been over weight. I refuse to pay to check a bag, and love that with Air Canada I can just go directly to security with the boarding passes I printed at home.

 

[Anna114]

We are not normal, we only need one bag for the two of us. We try to minimize our carry on so that if I do pick up a couple of things I use a canvas bag. I bring the bag in our luggage, use it for the pool needs... iPad, lotion, beverage and a snack. Then if I need it, it's my carry on.

 

[Canooknic]

We pack a smaller case and put it inside a larger case for bringing things home, with our shoes etc around the smaller case so it doesn't bounce around inside (and the shoes don't get our clothes dirty!)

If we were going somewhere other than Disney we would just pack one case for the 4 of us but I know my boys will be getting Lego and building light sabres on this trip so I will need extra space on the way back!

 

[archrd]

We always do this....never had an issue with it Being over wright.

 

[mamabear0222]

We always take 2 and split stuff between them in case luggage get lost on the way down. So in each suitcase there are clothes for everybody. Then on the way home there is tons of room. Plus empty carryons I pack as well. Usually backpacks.

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[BijouBabe]

We'll have carry on so will pack some clothes in those, but will do the nesting the two bags I think. I know my DS will want a couple studies and who knows what else I'd rather have the room for it on the way back. Thanks for all your inputs! I think next time I'll do more research when booking, this time around I booked through my school's travel agency so didn't get much of a selection for flights especially with wanting to arrive earlier in the day.