Travel gear and packing tips to help you avoid rising checked bag fees

In case you missed it, five of the six major U.S. airlines recently raised their checked bag fees. Alaska Airlines started the trend in December 2023 when it raised prices for checked luggage to $35 for the first checked bag fee (a $5 increase), which went into effect on Jan. 2, 2024. American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and United followed suit with similar increases.

There are still ways to pay less for checked bags. United gives customers a $5 discount when they prepay for checked bags at least 24 hours before their flight, for example, but if you're looking for one surefire way to avoid checked bag fees altogether — cram all your belongings into a carry-on bag and a personal item.

Most airlines, save for ultra low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier, allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag and a personal item free of charge. Let's look at some must-have gear and a few travel tips to help you bring everything you need on the plane and save money on checked bag fees.

Carry-on only travel gear

Stuffable neck pillow

This DreamShore Travel Pillow is no ordinary neck pillow. It's a pillow cover that you can stuff with up to two days' worth of clothing, freeing up space in your carry-on bag so you can avoid checked bag fees. The material is velvety soft, and the pillow is surprisingly comfortable when fully stuffed. You can also fold it into your carry-on bag and transport t-shirts or other souvenirs on your journey home.

One word of warning: If you are flying on an ultra low-cost carrier like Spirit Airlines, we have heard from other travelers that gate agents sometimes consider a neck pillow a personal item. If you can't fit your pillow into your suitcase or personal item, they may charge you a fee to check your bag at the gate.

To buy: DreamShore Stuffable Travel Pillow, $22.99 (normally $35.99)

Garment duffle bag

When is a duffle bag more than just a duffle bag? When it's the Ruima Convertible Garment Duffle Bag, which manages to be both a garment bag and a duffle bag in one. You can lay it out flat and hang any clothing you want to keep wrinkle-free and then zip it into a duffle to fill with your other travel necessities.

Most duffel bags have just one cavernous space that you throw your belongings into (and then have to painfully dig through to find your belongings), the Ruima Convertible Duffle Bag has ample pouches and pockets to keep your gear organized. There's even a dedicated shoe compartment and an exterior pocket to store travel documents and other items you may want easy access to at the airport. It's also perfectly sized as a carry-on bag for your flight.

To buy: Ruima Convertible Garment Duffle Bag, $52.99

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Email address

Sign up

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Vacuum seal storage bags

If you've ever wished you could fit a few more things into your packing cubes, these vacuum seal storage bags from Upgogo will be your new favorite piece of travel gear. This set of 12 space-saving bags comes with a cordless electric pump, allowing you to remove excess air and compress your items until they are nearly flat. Each set comes with four different sizes, so you always have the right combination of bags, no matter which luggage you use.

To buy: Upgogo Vacuum Seal Storage Bags, $29.99 (normally $33.99)

Mini carry-on luggage

Good things do come in small packages. In this case, we're referring to a suitcase so small it fits under most airplane seats. The Take Off Luggage Personal Item Suitcase was designed to perfectly match the required dimensions for a personal item on ultra-low-cost airlines like Spirit and Frontier (18"x14"x8"). In fact, some Amazon reviewers mentioned that Spirit was so familiar with the brand that they no longer require people to test Take Off bags in their sizers. But, rest assured, if you do need to test it in the sizer, it would fit.

This bag has removable wheels (you will need to remove the wheels at the gate to meet the size requirements), an interior pouch for organization and slides easily under your airplane seat.

To buy: Take Off Luggage 18-Inch Suitcase, $119.99

Refillable travel containers

If you refuse to compromise your hair and skincare routines and make do with hotel toiletries, you'll need travel-size bottles that are compliant with the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) 3-1-1 guidelines for liquids. Essentially, when flying, liquids must be stored in a 3.4-ounce or smaller container; and those liquids must be placed inside one clear quart-size plastic bag. Each passenger is only allowed one plastic bag.

These Kitsch Refillable Travel Pouches are durable, compact and leakproof. Each set comes with three pouches so that you can pack your favorite shampoo, conditioner, styling products, lotions, creams and more.

To buy: Kitsch Travel Pouches, $8.49 (normally $9.99)

Jacket with hidden pockets

When you look at the SCOTTeVEST Women's Windbreaker, it's hard to believe this sleek jacket has 19 hidden pockets. If you're running out of room in your carry-on luggage, this water-repellant coat can hold a surprising number of items. When it's time to go through the security checkpoint, you can remove the jacket instead of emptying your pockets.

Interior pockets are sized to fit items like a tablet, phone, water bottle, ID or passport, earbuds, sunglasses and more. When you aren't using the jacket, it packs into its own back pocket for easy stowage.

To buy: SCOTTeVEST Women's Windbreaker, $149

Carry-on-only travel tips

Know the airline's maximum size for carry-on luggage and personal items

Each airline has individual size guidelines for carry-on bags and personal items. Remember that each airline's carry-on policy accounts for the size of your entire bag, including your luggage's handles and wheels.

Before your trip, you can review the size guidelines on the airline's website or in our carry-on luggage size guide. In the case of personal items, most airlines will let you get away with any items that fit under the seat in front of you. The exception is low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier which have specific size requirements.

In addition to knowing which size items are allowed, you need to know which items are allowed with your fare class. Some basic economy fares, for example, only allow for a personal item, and you must pay a fee to bring a carry-on bag.

Know which items can't be brought onto a plane

Some items you cannot carry onto the plane with you, regardless of their size. These include flammable items like aerosol sprays, lighter fluid, fireworks or anything that could easily start a fire, liquids over 3.4 ounces, tools, sporting equipment or weapons that could potentially be used to cause harm and firearms. A few surprising items, like snowglobes, are on the list, too.

Read TPG's guide on what not to pack in your carry-on here.

Only bring what you need

This may seem obvious, but you need to be ruthless with your packing list when trying to bring everything on the plane. Do you really need three pairs of shoes, or will two do? Do you need your hair dryer from home or can you use the slightly jankier one in the hotel? Can you pack less by doing laundry while you are away?

Related: 7 tips to avoid overpacking

These are all things to remember while culling your packing list to save space.

Wear your bulkiest items on the plane

If you are old enough to remember the "Friends" episode where Joey wears all of Chandler's clothes, you can put that sitcom moment to good use next time you travel. If you plan to bring a hat, jacket, boots or a sweater, wear them on the plane to save space in your luggage.

Don't break the rules

It can be tempting to bring a bag that's too big or hide a backpack under your clothing, but it's simply not worth the risk. You'll be stuck paying for a checked bag if you are caught. What's worse is that certain airlines will charge an additional fee if you pay for your checked bag at the airport instead of in advance.

Get a credit card with a free checked bag perk

Sometimes, checking a bag can't be avoided, no matter how hard you try. Luckily, there are more than 20 credit cards that come with a free checked bag perk. Which airlines accept this benefit depends on which card (or cards) you carry. Most major airlines have several card types that offer this perk. For example, Delta has six cobranded credit cards that offer free checked bags.

Related: How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines

Several travel credit cards offer general travel reimbursements that you can apply to checked bag fees. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to $200 in annual statement credits for incidental charges from one qualifying airline, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card offers up to $300 in statement credits for travel purchases charged to your card each year.

Bottom line

Avoiding checked bag fees is one of the easiest ways to save money when you fly. You will have more money in your pocket and breeze through the airport with your extra-light luggage.

Related reading:

• Keep calm and carry on: The best carry-on luggage for every kind of trip
• Carry-on vs. checked bags: Which is the better choice?
• Here's what to pack in a carry-on bag every time you travel
• Best credit cards for air travel
• The best airline credit cards with annual fees under $100