Should you Check Luggage at the Airport? | (5 Reasons I fly carry on only)

Have you have ever debated between checking a bag or traveling carry on only?

Airlines are getting more strict on baggage limits, and the fees to check a bag on budget airlines are higher than ever. Carry on only is the way to travel in 2024!

Here are my TOP 5 reasons NOT to check your baggage at the airport- even if it's free with your international flight! Flying carry on only is going to save you time and money (it may even make you money!)

Will you be flying carryon only on your next flight? Let us know in the comments below!

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Welcome to Portable Professional, your go-to resource for stress-free travel.

Megan here, Hello! I’ve taken well over 300 flights and countless trips in the last decade. I have learned how to have seamless travel experiences without unnecessary stress and anxiety. I’m here to help you also feel confident about your travels while making the most of every trip.

Ready for stress-free travels? Subscribe and join us every Wednesday and Sunday for informative videos full of practical tips. You'll learn how to navigate airport security, pack like a pro, identify scams, and even uncover little-known hacks to take your travel to the next level. (these are my specialty!)

#cheapflights#digitalnomad#workonline#danang

[PortableProfessional]

Will your next flight be Carry On only? Why or why not? 🧐. Don’t forget to give this video a like 👍 and see you next week! 🥳

[mcarbone]

great advice...however 2 things that I worry about with not checking a bag. 1) they only let you put certain size bags in the overhead bin. If its too large I don't think they let you. ? I could be wrong 2) If you have any liquids over the allowed size for carry on they must be checked. And sometimes I travel with larger size bottles of things that they definitely wouldn't allow as a carry on. But maybe I need to rethink packing those such items when I travel to Asia.

[washburn]

great advise...the first time i went to france and had to take a 3 hour train ride, the suitcase was not on huge and heavy, i couldn't keep it anywhere near where i was sitting...from that point on, i travel with carry on much easier then lugging a huge suitcase up and down the streets of Paris or any place with all the cobble stone roads...thanks again and keep up the good work.

[thomascollardeau]

I'm in Thailand and I see tons of people traveling with massive backpacks on their backs AND their fronts. It's so easy to do laundry out here… places everywhere... drop it off in morning and pick up in evening for a couple bucks. Why even accumulate and travel with dirty laundry? Seriously, the trick is to pack for 4 days. That's it. Small bag, always with you. So much less hassle.

[leahmacgregor]

I travelled carry on only to Thailand and it made it SOOO much easier! Less stress about my luggage being safe, only packed what was necessary, and flew through the airport 🙌

[brentsummers]

Great advice! I haven't used a checked bag for about 20 years & never missed not having one.😀

[alsaves]

You are not always guaranteed to be able to get your carry on, on the plane. If you are in Zone 5, get on the line right at the end of zone 4. Some attendants will say that overhead is full and we want your bag. I have said it is full of electronics which helped me pass once and said I would put it under the seat, it was close though as they really wanted my bag.. So I make sure I am not at the end of the line especially if in the waiting area for the plane looks full. Some of us and we can spot each other in the waiting area who try to get on the plane last if it is not a full flight to try and get a three across empty seating bonus.

[TravelGlobalVideos]

We agree. Especially if you are traveling internationally! Can absolutely slow down your trip.

[barry]

Great advice, the only way to travel. My first big trip was for 9 months in 1985...way too much stuff, after a few months I bought a small gym bag, and ditched the rest. I travel carry on only using a 25L bag, traveling 8 months of the year on multiple trips around the world (retired). It is so easy to move between buses, taxis, motorbikes, walking etc. I am amazed at the massive bags people carry. I actually carry less and less as the technology improves with electronic gadgets and advances in clothing. If you really want to see minimalist packing check out the ultralight thru hikers found on you tube. Typically my bag and all contents for an unlimited journey weighs 12 pounds (15 pounds for winter weather travel) If weight is an issue when checking in (some budget carriers and small airplanes are notoriously weight sensitive) load up the pockets of cargo pants with your heaviest items, same with jacket pockets, wrap a sweater around your waste, wear noise cancelling headphones around your neck. I would suggest carrying an extra lightweight day pack that weighs a few ounces for day time use, or my latest preference is a lightweight sling pack. Wash your clothes in the sink, pre dry by wringing out and rolling in a bathroom towel- they will be dry in a few hours. Finally it is much safer to travel carry on - light weight- as you can keep your stuff with you on any transport, and you do not look like a target compared to the giant pack(s) crowd. Safe travels.

[jamesh]

Flying carry on is definitely more convenient but it's not always practical. Say you land in Bangkok & decide to go to Vietnam afterwards. You will most likely be flying with Air Asia. The two pieces of allowed cabin bags must not exceed something like 5/6kg's. A laptop & charger alone are well over 1kg. A power bank is a few hundred grams as is a camera. Throw in toiletries, towel, sunscreen, bug spray etc & you are already over half way through their allotted allowance.

 Unless you plan on going around multiple countries with a pair of flip flops, a couple pairs of shorts, t-shirts & underwear...you ain't getting it on without incurring an excess baggage slap at the counter. On the other hand, if you check in a bag/case of up to 20kg's at the time of booking said flight...you only pay something like $12-15. With that you can put in a bunch of extra clothing. Few bottles of sunscreen/bug spray Additional items like day backpack, hiking boots, aqua shoes for anything involving the beach/water activities & the like.

What you should do is put as many essential items in your carry on as you can manage, then limit the check-in stuff to everything else. You don't need to take a huge bag/case & hit the entire 20kg limit but taking another bag with you (even for a few extra kilos worth of stuff), gives you that flexibility. Don't take it & you will be going to buy tat at the market stalls & once you add up a few dollars for this & a few dollars for that (along with inflated prices for things like sunscreen), you will be slapping yourself for not bringing it all over with you,

[rodrigosommers]

Thank you, my question has been answered by someone that actually understand this subject

[RonKris]

100% true, Megan. Manila to Dipolog City was a fairly cheap flight, but the 'checked' baggage was P1, 200 (for 17kg) which was about $25. (carryon bags only 7 kg max) I did find out if you know for sure you are checking baggage when buying your airfare, search for 'buy checked baggage' now button. The savings can be substantial, especially on some of the carriers.

[epalao]

Great channel. Informative with no nonsense content. Shared with my daughter in Korea who want to visit Vietnam

[fattony]

Checking in online is a good idea but it's not always possible. Sometimes airlines may not allow passengers to do OLCI. Basically the airline wants to check if all travel documents are in order. Most international airlines have a 7kg weight limit. Some would allow a personal item, some don't.

[PREPFORIT]

Excellent advice.
It is always CARRY ON ONLY for me too.
I can use this video's info while Winning the less luggage is better debate.
and send people to your channel as well.
I like the "How to pack carry on only..." and "what to pack for Thailand..." Videos you previously posted.
Another cool Bonus fact that I found was that most locals and other tourists think I am a cheap charlie Hostel hopper.
Nothing wrong with that, but They think I have very limited cash and maybe have a few t-shirts and sandals in my backpack.
I do not have to explain why looking like I have very little cash is a good thing.
Have a great week!!

[rtsoccerplayer]

Great advice as usual. Unfortunately I love collecting old school boarding passes that are printed at the airport so i'm always at risk of having my carry on weighed :)

[deandecoursey]

I’ll agree with everything you said. I wish I had followed your advice in 1997 when I did a 4 month trip around the world. Going to Europe to Thailand and then Australia, I finally shipped a lot of stuff that I had bought home and travelled with 1 checked and 1 carryon (probably still too much). The only time I travel with the 3 suitcases is to Thailand, where I land in Bangkok late at night and either take the train to Chiangmai the next day (after visiting my favorite Dentist in Bangkok), or still go by the train station and send my bags on the train while I go to DM airport and fly to Chiangmai to stay at my house (picking my bags up the next day). I do volunteer getting bumped as much as possible. I got my only chance to stay in Japan for a day and see some sights that way, plus getting to fly to Bangkok in business class. Twice, once in St. Maarten and once domestically going to Orlando, I got bumped from my ordinal flight and the flight that was compensation for the bumped flight.

[adalix]

Thanks Meghan ! You are totally right with travelling carry on only. I'm just back from two months and 26 kg checked bag. NEVER AGAIN ! Kisses from Paris ;-) Audrey

[leohoward]

If flew anywhere I'd probably pick Japan where it's honour system discourages theft. Also America the Philippines looks nice too.

[hiroyukik]

Travel light sounds good, but I prefer carrying my Swiss army knife with me when I travel. Swiss army knife often comes in handy while traveling. I normally use it more than one occasions. As you see after 911, I cannot do so if I fly carry on only. I'm never able to pass security.