On packing: Lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then, take half the clothes and twice the money. — Susan Butler Anderson
‘Tis the season! If you’re planning to travel in the next few weeks, be sure to heed the words of our guest blogger, Holly Miller, a writer for Coupon Croc in the UK. Book your next vacation online and save with the latest discounts and promotions at CouponCroc.co.uk.
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
As travel plans solidify for the holiday season, you’ve probably already purchased your plane ticket, grabbing the early bird’s discount — but have you remembered the new weight tariff on airplanes? Airlines are charging considerable sums for baggage that is overweight — sometimes $50 or more per bag. Pack light this holiday season, and leave the stress behind.
Limit Bulky Clothing
Pack sweaters, for instance, that you can wear with several outfits and limit the weight you add by taking six sweaters when two or three will do instead. Remember: You’ll probably be wearing one of them on the flight.
Silk long johns are often warmer than the thicker cotton ones, and they certainly weigh less. Consider those instead of the old-fashioned type we wore as kids.
Do you really need five pairs of shoes? If you’re planning a night out while you’re away from home, take one pair of dressy shoes. If you’re planning on more than one night out, take one pair of dressy shoes that coordinates with each outfit you pack.
Recycle
For a week’s vacation, you truly do not need six extra pairs of jeans. Denim weighs a lot, and you probably don’t need more than three pairs total. Wearing a pair of jeans more than one day happens considerably more often than people might tell you, and it’s perfectly acceptable to do so.
Besides, you can throw a load or two of clothes in the washer while you’re away. Machines do work in most places — really. You don’t have to pack laundry detergent. They’re expensive per unit, but buying a small box of laundry detergent in a laundry mat costs far less than a weight tariff tacked onto the price of your flight travel — each way.
Ship Excess
If you’re bringing items for others either on your way to your destination or back home, consider the very reasonable rates the US Postal Service charges in their “any weight” Priority postage plan: So long as it fits in the box, you pay only a flat fee for mailing the box to a domestic address.
Often, that postage is far less than a weight tariff, and with prior arrangements, hotels may accept packages on your behalf if you have reservations there. Don’t forget that you can mail things back to yourself, as well.
Load up on souvenirs and other purchases if you wish, but be clear about how you’ll get them home before you buy. Just think outside the suitcase!
Ignore Holly's advice at your own peril!
Summary
Airplane tickets cost enough to begin with. Don’t add to your travel costs by incurring weight tariffs with overweight bags. Pack only what you truly need; plan on recycling your clothing, and ship to yourself any excess.
Remember: This holiday season, your luggage is on a diet!
Buon viaggio!
Linda Dini Jenkins is a card-carrying Italophile, travel planner, freelance writer, and amateur photographer. Travel is her passion, so writing about her travels just comes naturally. She hopes all her travelers find a way to express their joys, surprises, and fears as they travel and gives every traveler a nifty journal to help smooth the way. Learn more…
