Need luggage savings help?
Mar 14, 2015 | 1:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
Need luggage savings help?
My SO and I are attempting to travel light through europe for a while. Originally the plan was to bring two carry-ons and that was it. She talked to her friend who works at the TSA who convinced her that she could bring a carry-on and a personal item for free, and the personal item could be something like a backpack or a laptop bag, basically what I thought of as a carry-on size item.
We're taking seven different flights, so I really don't want to get hit with paying for a second carry-on on each flight. Most airlines don't seem to tell you exactly what size a personal item can be.
Anyone got any idea? She's terribly angry with me right now, for telling her we can't bring all of these bags.
We're taking seven different flights, so I really don't want to get hit with paying for a second carry-on on each flight. Most airlines don't seem to tell you exactly what size a personal item can be.
Anyone got any idea? She's terribly angry with me right now, for telling her we can't bring all of these bags.
Mar 14, 2015 | 3:12 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 715
This leaves you with EasyJet as the lowest common denominator: unless you are paying for EasyJet plus, your allowance is a single 56x45x25 bag including wheels and handle (no weight restrictions IIRC).
Mar 14, 2015 | 3:48 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Paris
Programs: FB PfL, *A Gold, some hotels (Gold)
Posts: 725
Need luggage savings help?
I can confirm by experience that AZ KL TK will allow you to board two items. In terms of size, some companies are less enforcing than others, but as a suggestion don't test your luck and play by the company rules.
have fun in Europe! plenty of good stuff to see.
have fun in Europe! plenty of good stuff to see.
Mar 14, 2015 | 4:26 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,520
Need luggage savings help?
To clarify, it's not TSA who will decide this, but the airlines. Each airline has its official policies spelled out on its website. How small a backpack has to be to count as a "personal item" is going to be up to the discretion of the gate agent. In the US, most nonbudget carriers might make you gate check one item if both are "carryons", but typically won't charge you.
Mar 15, 2015 | 12:03 am
#9
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,685
This is exactly right.
Mar 15, 2015 | 9:31 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
I'm aware that the TSA does not decide this, and that's what I tried to explain to her; that every airline can decide on their own.
I still feel like I have no idea what the right answer is. For example, Delta says:
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS ALLOWED?
Approved Personal Items
1 purse, briefcase, camera bag or diaper bag
or 1 laptop computer (computers cannot be checked)
or 1 item of a similar or smaller size to those listed above
"Similar size" No actual measurements listed.
I still feel like I have no idea what the right answer is. For example, Delta says:
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS ALLOWED?
Approved Personal Items
1 purse, briefcase, camera bag or diaper bag
or 1 laptop computer (computers cannot be checked)
or 1 item of a similar or smaller size to those listed above
"Similar size" No actual measurements listed.
Mar 15, 2015 | 2:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,520
I'm aware that the TSA does not decide this, and that's what I tried to explain to her; that every airline can decide on their own.
I still feel like I have no idea what the right answer is. For example, Delta says:
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS ALLOWED?
Approved Personal Items
1 purse, briefcase, camera bag or diaper bag
or 1 laptop computer (computers cannot be checked)
or 1 item of a similar or smaller size to those listed above
"Similar size" No actual measurements listed.
I still feel like I have no idea what the right answer is. For example, Delta says:
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS ALLOWED?
Approved Personal Items
1 purse, briefcase, camera bag or diaper bag
or 1 laptop computer (computers cannot be checked)
or 1 item of a similar or smaller size to those listed above
"Similar size" No actual measurements listed.
The general rule is your personal item must fit fully under the seat in front of you.
Mar 15, 2015 | 8:18 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Phila Pa
Programs: Silver, US Air
Posts: 124
I fly legacy carriers trans-con frequently. I always have a backpack with laptop inside, couple books, extra sweater, reading magazines. In short, its stuffed. Never a problem. It just has to look like it can go under the seat in front of me. That is in addition to a carryon roll-aboard.
Mar 15, 2015 | 9:26 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,046
As Bert G says, as long as the personal item looks like it will fit under the seat, I've never seen it sized or weighed. Mine would be oversize by the published rules. For transatlantic, I usually have an 18x12 duffle as my personal item, a 21 inch roller bag, and a crossbody purse.
Mar 16, 2015 | 5:50 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,520
As Bert G says, as long as the personal item looks like it will fit under the seat, I've never seen it sized or weighed. Mine would be oversize by the published rules. For transatlantic, I usually have an 18x12 duffle as my personal item, a 21 inch roller bag, and a crossbody purse.
There comes a point when saving money is inconsiderate of your fellow passengers. You are entitled to, at most, one space in the overhead bin.
Mar 16, 2015 | 6:03 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 300
Buy one of these instead http://www.skyscanner.net/news/best-...aggage-charges