Avoiding "Checked" luggage

KCheatle

KCheatle

Well-Known Member
Well, we leave in less than 3 weeks, so I'm starting to think about packing. Last year, we spent $200 on checked luggage, and I am hoping to avoid that this year. So, I'm trying to figure out a way around checking any luggage if possible. I figure I will just use the hotel shampoo/conditioner (I love it anyway), and then buy travel size of other toiletries. My problem: razors. I don't think anyone wants to see my DH or I sans-razor for 10 days, so what do you do? Do you bite the bullet and just check a bag so you can pack your razor or do you buy disposable razors once you're there? If so, is the selection in the hotel okay?

Can you think of any other carry-on problems that I need to be thinking about?
 
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Hrudey3032

Hrudey3032

Well-Known Member
I am going down in 3 weeks as I am driving/riding back with my dad so he does not have to drive from Indy to Davenport Fl for 16 hours. He is flying me back to Indy since I am helping him out. My actual Florida vacation is 2 months later so since I am riding down I am going to take all my toiletries and some of my clothes I plan on wearing down now and just leaving them at my dads. I also think shipping alot of your stuff via UPS and trying to get rest of your stuff into a on-flight bag may be the best way to save money. Heck alot of times people that have a big carry on bag get asked at the main gate to put it on bottom of the plane for free.
 
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wendysue

wendysue

Well-Known Member
Hrudey3032 said:
I am going down in 3 weeks as I am driving/riding back with my dad so he does not have to drive from Indy to Davenport Fl for 16 hours. He is flying me back to Indy since I am helping him out. My actual Florida vacation is 2 months later so since I am riding down I am going to take all my toiletries and some of my clothes I plan on wearing down now and just leaving them at my dads. I also think shipping alot of your stuff via UPS and trying to get rest of your stuff into a on-flight bag may be the best way to save money. Heck alot of times people that have a big carry on bag get asked at the main gate to put it on bottom of the plane for free.
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Unfortunately, I've heard recently that the airlines are making passengers go BACK to check-in to check those bags. No more freebies. Also, they have changed the diameter of the carry-on bags as well. It used to be 22 x 15 x 9 but now it's 22 x 14 x 9 and they are checking at the gate and sending back anyone for that ONE INCH. Not sure all of the airlines are doing it yet, but will soon. I know bags fly free on Southwest, but not sure if they are changing the diameter thing yet.
 
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Tinkerbell397

Tinkerbell397

Well-Known Member
You can buy whatever you want at your resort but I am sure that the price is higher than you would pay at your local store. I would use the Disney toiletries....once used, they will replace them. You can buy your razors at the store in the hotel...also shampoo, shaving cream, sunscreen....etc. Have a Magical Trip!..:cat:
 
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rt06

rt06

Well-Known Member
Get a USPS Priority flat rate box (free!). You can stuff it with as much as you need up to 70lbs. A small box will ship for around $5-$6. There's a small discount if you print the shipping label at home. USPS will even deliver a few boxes to your home at no cost. Great for toiletries and non-perishables.
 
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Hrudey3032

Hrudey3032

Well-Known Member
wendysue said:
Unfortunately, I've heard recently that the airlines are making passengers go BACK to check-in to check those bags. No more freebies. Also, they have changed the diameter of the carry-on bags as well. It used to be 22 x 15 x 9 but now it's 22 x 14 x 9 and they are checking at the gate and sending back anyone for that ONE INCH. Not sure all of the airlines are doing it yet, but will soon. I know bags fly free on Southwest, but not sure if they are changing the diameter thing yet.
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Way to blow a hole in my theory lol
 
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KCheatle

KCheatle

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PrincessNelly_NJ said:
Ever think of doing a mix of carry on and checked luggage?
Maybe you could check one suitcase and pack everything else in your carry on?
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My DH and I were actually just talking about maybe checking just one bag that we put both kids' stuff in and then each of us using a carry on. That way we can put food and everything in that one checked bag? We thought, worse case scenario, we will end up checking a couple bags.

It's just that last time we blew $200 checking all 4 bags! We definitely wanted to save that money if we could. This time, we are flying direct and the kids are older, so I think we can handle a couple carry-ons.

My DH also pointed out that we don't want our bags stuffed on the way down because we'll buy a bunch of stuff down there. So, I think we will probably do a mix in the end.
 
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EnchantedRose

EnchantedRose

Active Member
Ship whatever you need down to your resort. We did this two different ways on two different trips. First time we tried shipping I purchased and packed up all we needed. Diapers, wipes, shampoo, condistion, razors, shaving cream and snacks. We UPS'd it down and had no issues. We did this to avoid paying for so many suitcases! Last trip (Nov 13) I went on Walmart.com and if you spend I think $50 it sihps for free or for .97 cents. We ordered all our toiletries, water snacks etc...stuff that would just be a pain to take with us since it does make the suitcases really heavy...even though we flew with Jetblue (they let each person check one back for free) it's just a pain dragging heavy suitcases with stuff down...plus I have a few of something popping in my bag! Once we checked into the resort the CM let me know that we had two boxes waiting for us...and that someone would take them up to our room!
 
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C

CheshireCat12

Well-Known Member
Yes you can bring disposable razors in your carry-ons. Pack smart and you will be fine. Remember that only the liquids need to be in the clear bag. Check the dimensions of a permissible carryon for your airline.
 
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stichrules

stichrules

Active Member
rt06 said:
Get a USPS Priority flat rate box (free!). You can stuff it with as much as you need up to 70lbs. A small box will ship for around $5-$6. There's a small discount if you print the shipping label at home. USPS will even deliver a few boxes to your home at no cost. Great for toiletries and non-perishables.
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Be careful about shipping to th Hotel. It depends upon hich resort you are staying at. If the resort is also a convention center then they will charge you $15-20 (on top of wha it cost you to ship) to pick up your package. Had this happen 2 years ago at BLT/Comtemporay.
 
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