I’ve flown all over the world and one of the best tips I can give you is this – FLY CARRY ON ONLY! #TeamCarryOn
Unless you have medical needs or are flying to Antarctica (lots of warm clothes), don’t check a bag. Don’t check a bag going to Europe, don’t check a bag going to Hawaii, don’t check a bag going to southeast Asia, don’t check a bag on a cruise!
The extra baggage fees, the extra time you spend waiting for checked bags at baggage claim and the risk of the airlines losing your luggage, isn’t worth it in my opinion.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, I earn a small commission to keep this website going (at no extra cost to you) so its a win-win!
Here’s How I Avoid Checking a Bag
First, get the biggest carry-on the airlines you fly will allow, such as this one here from Cosbarn on Amazon.
Airline approved, built-in TSA lock, lightweight and a hard and compact case. The extra bag that comes with it is great for a couple extra outfits, snacks and souvenirs.
Next, I use packing cubes to keep my clothes and carry on organized. I love getting to a destination and having everything in order and ready to go. The night before, I can unpack my outfit for the next day, give it a few good sprays from my Downey Wrinkle Travel Bottles and I’m ready to tackle anything! Packing cubes are lifesavers, I promise.
I can also promise you that you will not need half of the outfits and shoes you would love to take with you. Generally, you only need HALF of what you think you actually need. So, lay out all your clothes on your bed and try to mix and match outfits, instead of having an outfit for each day. Bring some of your favorites bottoms and tops and use them as a foundation to build out the rest of your wardrobe.
If you need help on what to pack, you can always view, print or download the Ultimate Packing List!
You can’t travel with everything you own in a carry-on, but you can fit more than you think. I like to roll my clothes, not fold them because they take up way less space this way.
Read More: Packing Cubes vs. Rolling Clothes
Extra Baggage
Bring a “personal item” such as a travel bag or a backpack. You will be amazed at what you can fit in my favorite travel bag.
The bag slides under the seat in front of you and features 9 pockets that help you pack more efficiently, while keeping your essentials organized. It slides over your carry on handle so you don’t have to carry it too!
Did I mention that its always a good idea to keep some spare outfits in this bag in case you spill something or want to change on the plane?
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Points & Miles Can Add Up Fast Before Your Next Trip
Listen, I want to make sure you’re maximize your travel rewards! This is how I got started traveling and you can too!
If you own a travel credit card, in most cases, your card will allow you to bring a carry-on for free.
I use a small army of major travel credit cards to book my flights, accommodations and rental cars. These cards here offer me the most value, but your situation may be different depending on which airlines you fly.
A Few More Tips
Here are a few more tips to help you become a NavigatorNick carry-on-only pro:
- Get an AirTag for your bag even if you don’t think you have to check it, so if it gets lost or stolen, you can still find it!
- The Best Travel Bag to Pair with Your Carry On
- The Ultimate Packing List
- Packing Cubes vs. Rolling
Book Your Trip Now!
Below are my favorite companies I use time and time again when I book my travel.
- Travel Coupons & Discounts – Get Cash Back at places like Hotels.com, Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline and many more with Rakuten. Sign up today & get $30!
- My Favorite Travel Credit Card – Chase Sapphire Prefered. This is by far the best way to book travel and earn miles/points while doing so. Use the Chase Sapphire Prefered for booking 3x travel, 3x dining and 3x on streaming services.
- My Second Favorite Travel Credit Card – In my opinion, the second best travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture. Use the Capital One Venture card for 2x the rewards on everyday purchases.
- Rental Cars – Search, compare and save on the best rental car company brands all in one place using DiscoverCars.
- Booking.com – Booking has the widest selection of budget accommodation in the world. In our studies, they constantly found the cheapest rooms. I also like their easy-to-use interface and no-money-down policy.
- Hotels.com – Hotels.com is my second choice for finding hotels. I love their selection and easy to navigate website. Use it often for free hotel stays with OneKeyCash.
- VRBO – The most popular vacation rental site in the US. ✓+2 million rentals worldwide ✓19+ million reviews ✓Secure online payment
- Selina Hostel – This is the best hostel accommodation in the world. Their unique CoLive stays, artwork and location are the best. Not to mention, they are a great value travel brand!
For companies, check out my favorite travel companies section that includes even more of my favorite travel companies that will help you value travel!
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