There's never been a more important time to take a minimalist approach to air travel.
That's because, in unison, major airlines have upped their checked baggage fees in response to rising operating costs amid a global jet fuel shortage brought on by the Trump administration's war with Iran.
Airfares are also poised to soar this summer, with airline executives encouraging travelers to book well in advance.
Carriers are unsurprisingly passing down the climbing oil costs to customers, who are already feeling the pinch at the pump.
With airlines increasing the fee to check a bag by as much as $10 in some cases, the only way to fight back is to pack lighter and take shorter trips that don't require the additional luggage.
It's a worthwhile strategy to employ as these elevated fees aren't going to go away even after jet fuel prices calm.
"Airlines are looking at creative ways to help their bottom line as jet fuel prices soar, taking their expenses along with it. Increased ancillaries like bag fees, unfortunately, may be here to stay even after airline costs deflate," says Going travel expert Katy Nastro. "Travelers are in for turbulent times ahead as summer travel looks more expensive than last year, not just in terms of bag fees, but also in terms of fares."
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Traveling light could save you significant cash this summer and that means packing smart to ensure all of your belongings can fit inside a carry-on.
Try to wear any bulky items on your person, plan your outfits out in advance and roll your clothes up to maximize space. Warmer temperatures this time of year make this much easier, thankfully.
Planning shorter getaways, flying at off-peak times like early morning or redeye midweek flights and maximizing work trips amid the burgeoning "bleisure" getaway trend will also allow travelers to stretch their budget further as carriers look to gobble up cash to maintain those profits.
Think of it as spring cleaning for your travel habits.
Perhaps it isn't feasible to avoid checked luggage each and every time you travel, but embracing the minimalist approach will provide some relief for your wallet in the long run. And if enough travelers adopt that mindset, airlines may be forced to rethink this strategy.
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