11 Practical Hacks to Avoid Excess Baggage Charges and Save on Airline Fees

7. Wear your heaviest items and layer for travel

Putting bulky clothes and heavy footwear on for travel saves bag weight while keeping you comfortable on the plane. Wear a jacket or sweater and carry heavier shoes instead of packing them; you’ll free up several pounds and make room inside your luggage. For cold-weather travel, layer thermal or bulky pieces rather than packing all of them; airports allow layered clothing through security, and being slightly warmer on the plane is a small trade for avoiding a checked-bag fee. This tactic works well when you’re traveling across climates or when your itinerary includes a single heavy item you can wear. Keep in mind airline policies for wearing items through security and when boarding; if you remove a heavy coat, fold it into your personal item or carry-on to avoid it being counted separately. Layering is an easy way to shave pounds off your luggage without spending time repacking at the airport.