Unless I absolutely have to (read: I'm flying with booze), I always do whatever I can to not have to check a bag when I travel. Besides the fees associated with handing your bag over, the worst part of the whole experience, in my opinion, is having to wait after a long flight for your suitcase to come around the carousel. That wait is typically full of regret for me about buying that bottle of whiskey in the first place and delaying my trip home by 20 minutes.

Different types of holidays require different gear, and one of the biggest choices most of us make as we head off to the airport is the choice between packing everything into a backpack or a suitcase. They each have their strengths and weaknesses and are better suited for certain situations.

When it comes to flying, nobody wants to pay excess baggage fees. Unfortunately, fitting everything into one or two suitcases can be difficult; especially if you're going to be abroad for more than a week. With that in mind, here are eight space-saving hacks that will help you cram more into your allotted baggage allowances without breaking stuff in the process.

Dear Lifehacker, I will be starting a new job soon which requires me to wear a business suit every day. I want to look immaculate, but the job involves frequent commuting, including air travel. Can you recommend any garment bags that aren't too expensive? Or is there another anti-wrinkle solution that I haven't thought of?