Sometimes no matter how light you think you are packing, your suitcase keeps getting heavier and heavier.  Maybe you are going to a destination that has different climate zones.  Perhaps you will be gone a long time and need to prepare for a change in the seasons.  Are you bringing gifts to others that weight down your suitcase?   Luggage that exceeds the airline’s weight limits can result in some hefty fees, especially if you don’t find out that you’ve exceeded the limit until you get to the counter.

First of all, check your airline’s guideline’s regarding weight and size limits for your bags whether they are carry-on or checked.  Most airlines won’t send you an email or a text to give you a head’s up.  Remember that airlines look at several factors in determining the extra charge including size, weight, and shape.  Charges can be different for international travel vs. domestic travel.  

You might get a break if you are active military or have elite status with the airline you are flying. Checked luggage charges will also depend on the type of seat you book.

You can check the weight of your baggage by weighing yourself first on your scale and then holding your luggage and weighing yourself again.  (Check your scale’s weight limits before doing this to make sure you won’t break the scale.)  By deducting the weight of your baggage from your weight you should have a pretty good idea of what your luggage weighs.

You could also pop for a luggage scale.

If you are traveling with a companion and their suitcase is lighter, they might be agreeable to packing a few of your items in their suitcase.

If you are just beginning your trip find out if it is cheaper to pay for an additional checked bag than it would be to pay for an overweight bag at the check-in counter.  Those fees can be hefty.

You might be able to avoid paying extra if you are okay with taking a larger bag that you check.   Check your carrier’s website to see if the charge is the same or no charge if you check one single larger bag. Depending on your 

Inquire ahead of time if you can ship some of the items you want to bring to your destination through a luggage delivery service.  If you are going on a cruise, your cruise company might be able to forward your things to your ship at a more reasonable price than if you paid for the extra baggage.  Make sure you get a timeline as to when your shipped items will arrive at your destination so it is there when you need them.  While it doesn’t happen very often, there have been a few times when we’ve shipped items home that we wanted to keep but weren’t going to need as we have traveled ahead.

If you don’t mind being a bit uncomfortable, layer your clothes, before you check in and take your seat. Then once it is okay to get out of your seat after take-off, take your extra clothes off and place them in a bag that you tucked into your backpack or carry-on.

Depending on your airlines, you can take your own pillow and that won’t count against you as baggage.  You can stuff your pillowcase with a few extra items.  This is pretty crafty.  Not sure I would do it, but people do.

If you have a frequent flyer credit card or are a member of the airline you are traveling on frequent flyer club you might get some extra benefits just as a free checked bag.  

Use vacuum bags if you aren’t checking your bags.  You can pack more stuff into your backpack or carry-on but don’t forget the weight still will increase.  Vacuum bags are also good for checked bags but while the items could be reduced in size the weight isn’t.

If you are taking gifts or souvenirs to your destination or home, remember sometimes the value of the gifts is less than what you pay for the excess weight.  You might want to ask if it is worth it?   

Remember most destinations that you will be visiting do have stores and you can purchase whatever you need once you get where you are going.

If you are going to a remote location, of course, this won’t be the case.

If worse comes to worst, and you don’t want to pay the extra fees, dump what you really don’t want anymore.   I often travel with clothes that are still good but I am tired of or know that I will leave behind.  On one trip, I left nearly two dozen items behind some in the garbage and some with a note to donate.