How to Bring Extra Stuff on the Plane Without Paying

Gone are the days when checked baggage was automatically included in economy tickets for domestic flights. Or when there weren’t any airlines charging for carry-on luggage because, well, it’s a carry-on. Airlines have taken the time to make it just that much pricier to get your essentials (and non-essentials) on a flight, let alone passengers any kind of ability to overpack — like some of us have the tendency to do. (I am some of us.) There are, however, two simple ways to get more of your stuff on the plane — without paying extra fees.

Use the airline shops

Have you ever noticed the number of people who have multiple or huge duty-free bags full of goodies? If you have, you will also notice that there’s no additional charge for these passengers to bring their airport-bought goods onto the plane. And clever you should take that cue and run with it.

In the event you need to put a couple of extra items on the plane without being charged, just ask the airport bookstore, duty-free, Starbucks, etc. for a bag and throw your items in there. No one ever actually checks that these items were purchases made in the airport.

Be grateful if you’re a parent or travelling with one

If you’re a parent who has to travel with a stroller and/or car seat, you’re the best candidate to get more stuff on your flight at no additional charge.

Airlines allow parents to take their strollers and car seats all the way to the gate before checking them. In the process, it’s always best to have a designated checked bag (like this one.) that they can go in. With these bags, any extra items you have can also be stored inside and will travel with your car seat or stroller — to be picked up once you land.