Skip to main content

Upgrade your luggage to avoid sky-high airline baggage fees

The Golden Age of discount air travel is long behind us. Unfortunately, that’s meant that airlines have had to get more clever (read: sneaky) about their advertised “low” fares. This often means nickel-and-diming passengers to an almost appalling level with hidden charges. Here are five ways to avoid today’s sky-high airline baggage fees:

Know Your Airline’s Policies

Fully understanding airline policies can seem to require a contract law degree. While you needn’t be overly thorough, a quick online search will highlight pertinent fees. Some airlines are particularly egregious with their hidden costs. Low-budget carriers Spirit and Ryanair, for example, offer seemingly dirt-cheap fares. However, both charge additional fees – starting at $25 USD each way — even for carry-on baggage.

Recommended Videos

Related: Cheat Airline Baggage Rules with This “Wearable Luggage”

Join a Frequent Flyer Program

It’s easy to assume that you don’t travel enough to bother with frequent flyer programs. However, they’re free and don’t require traveling as much as you might think to start reaping the rewards. Even travelers who take a few vacations a year can benefit from base reward levels with perks like free checked baggage.

Airport baggage

Score an Airline Credit Card

If you can’t wait to accumulate enough miles for the above benefits, apply for an airline credit card instead. Almost every brand name airline offers one and most include a long list of travel-related perks. The Delta SkyMiles card, for example, provides for one free checked bag, while United MileagePlus Club card members can check two bags for free. Keep an eye out for special offers on these cards to avoid the typical annual fees.

Buy a Luggage Scale

Even seasoned travelers underestimate — sometimes grossly — just how much their luggage weighs. Buy a luggage scale or use any standard bathroom scale to calculate the weight of your bags before you arrive at the airport. Sometimes removing an extra pair of shoes or a backup power cord can mean the difference between paying for overweight baggage or not.

Scrap Your Old, Bulky Luggage

High-tech materials have allowed manufacturers to cut luggage weight in half. Ditching an old, 15-pound canvas suitcase for a seven-pound spinner could enable you to pack 20% or more gear, clothing, and essentials. For solid and affordable options, eBags is a great place to start. If money is no object, however, Rimowa’s Salsa Air is a beautiful line of featherweight, polycarbonate solutions available in six sizes and a variety of colors.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Miami welcomes Presidente Bar, one of Latin America’s best cocktail spots
Presidente Bar brings a bit of Argentina to Miami
Presidente Bar

Miami’s cocktail scene just got a major upgrade. This week, Presidente Bar, the legendary Buenos Aires-based cocktail institution, opens its doors in Wynwood, marking the bar’s highly anticipated U.S. debut. Known for its cinematic interiors and immersive drinking experiences, Presidente arrives with serious global acclaim, having earned a coveted spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars list and a #21 worldwide ranking in 2021.

Originally founded in 2017 inside a beautifully restored national heritage mansion in Buenos Aires’ Recoleta neighborhood, Presidente Bar quickly became a destination for cocktail lovers around the world. The vision comes from Sebastián “Seba” García, the bar’s Co-Founder and Creative Director, widely celebrated as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Figures in the Cocktail Industry by Drinks International. Now, Miami drinkers have the chance to experience the magic firsthand.

Read more
This travel trend is saving Americans money — and changing vacations forever
Skip the tourist hotspots and hit up a destination dupe instead
Portugal

Dreaming of London, Paris, or Hawaii? Many travelers are thinking twice. As prices soar and popular destinations grow increasingly crowded, Americans are embracing a new kind of getaway: destination dupes.

According to a new survey from CouponFollow, 63% of U.S. travelers now prefer dupes, which are affordable alternative locations that offer similar vibes, scenery, or cultural experiences without the sky-high price tag or tourist-packed streets.

Read more
The top summer 2025 travel trends, according to a luxury travel expert
Luxury travel trends experts are watching
man with suitcase standing outside

The summer travel season is upon us, and this year's trends indicate a shift in traveler behavior, mindset, and more. Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, the #1-rated global luxury travel company, says she has seen various new trending travel behaviors emerge as she works with clients.

With over 25 years in the travel industry, Krueger has witnessed numerous travel trends emerge and fade, adapting the company's focus to best meet the evolving demands of travelers. For summer 2025, Krueger says travelers are adopting new habits, such as planning trips more spontaneously than ever before and embracing slower, more mindful experiences. We interviewed Krueger to take a deep dive into four recent summer 2025 travel trends she has observed among the travelers she has worked with. Here's what she shared.

Read more