AVOIDING LUGGAGE FEES

Sick of paying extra for your luggage? Safety First has 5 tips to avoid these annoying fees.

1. Bring less is the first obvious answer. Lighter bags and less luggage both translate into not only savings but convenience. Consolidating purses with diaper bags or laptop cases with business files will avoid paying unnecessary fees.

2. Flying certain airlines such as JetBlue or Southwest helps. JetBlue doesn’t charge for the first bag, and Southwest tops that by not charging for two.

3. Frequent fliers are exempt from fees on certain airlines such as US Airways. Unaccompanied minors are often not charges. Neither are servicemen. The airlines differ in these rules. Check for loopholes because only one in four passengers pay the fees. Be smart.

4. Hotels are known to sometimes pick up the tab as an incentive to stay at their location. Some are offering up to an $80 room credit to cover checked baggage fees.

5. When all else fails, mail it. Companies like Luggage Forward can help you avoid the fees. Federal Express or the US Postal Service is often less expensive than the luggage fees, and they are less likely to lose your treasures.