How to... shave luggage fees
With some airlines charging fees to check any bags -- and charging even heftier fees for overweight bags, it pays to do all you can to avoid shelling out more cash than you need to if you can't cut it with just a carry-on.
Here are some tips I ran across in a story by Carol Pucci of The Seattle Times that I thought would be helpful to share:
*Call your airline or check its Web site to find out its fees and how they might apply to what you plan to take. Print out a copy of your airline’s policy and bring it with you in case there’s a dispute.
*Consider alternate shipping methods such as UPS (www.ups.com) or luggage-delivery services such as Sports Express (www.sportsexpress.com), if you’re checking an oversized or overweight item.
*Checking a second bag weighing up to 50 pounds ($25 each way on most airlines) is cheaper than checking one overweight bag ($50-$150)
*Pay for baggage fees with a credit card. The Fair Credit Billing Act allows consumers to dispute Visa and MasterCard charges for unsatisfactory services. If the airline charges you a fee for shipping your bag, then loses or damages it, challenge the charge. Call your credit-card issuer for information, or see its Web site for details. So far, the airlines have said they won’t refund fees for luggage that is lost or delayed.
*And, of course, the best way is to lighten your load.
Plan ahead. Know what weather to expect and what your activities might be, then pack the right clothes for the climate and your events. Ignore the urge to add “what if ...” items
Downsize the sizes when it comes to toiletries and cosmetics.
Invest in a lightweight suitcase.
Do a dry run. Pack a day in advance and weigh your bags on the bathroom scale
