Packing Anxiety? When to Stop Overthinking and Check the Dang Bag

For most flights, I pack a carry-on and a tote bag as a personal item. For a short trip (5 days or less), it’s all the room I need. But sometimes, I need to check a bag. It’s not the nightmare it was when fees were high and lost bags were common. If you’re a committed carry-on-only traveler, here are reasons why you should consider checking a larger suitcase on your next trip.

Fee-Free and Peace of Mind

Like many fliers, I became a carry-on convert when airlines began charging fees for checking bags. Paying an additional $35-$50 for a convenience I’d grown used to seemed unfair. It took me a while to get used to traveling lighter. I’ve mastered it now. My reliable TravelPro Maxlite 5 spinner holds a ton when loaded strategically with packing cubes, and it’s never too heavy to hurl into the overhead bins.

Another reason travelers abandoned checking bags was to avoid lost luggage. Nothing kills a trip faster than realizing your bag is never going to slide down the chute onto the carousel.

But it’s growing increasingly easy to avoid both luggage fees and lost baggage.

Free checked luggage is a perk of many premium airline credit cards and frequent flier programs. I choose JetBlue whenever possible, and a free checked bag is one of the benefits for me and up to 3 traveling companions.

And, according to SITA, a leading provider of technology solutions for airlines, lost bags per 1,000 have decreased by 63% since 2007 despite surging passenger numbers. They cite improved digitization, increased use of biometrics and AI as reasons for the decrease.

Also read, Best Way to Use Packing Cubes – You’ll Never Travel Without Them Again!

Check It or Carry On?

I try to decide whether I’ll be packing a large suitcase or a carry-on a week or so before my trip. It helps me plan outfits, shoes and toiletries, so I’m less likely to forget an essential item like my eyeglasses. If I’m going with a checked bag, I need to venture into the attic. My wheelie bag lives on the top shelf of my closet so it’s ready to go when I am!

Another thing to keep in mind if you decide to check your bag is to make sure you have a well-attached luggage tag updated with your recent address, phone and email information.

Here are the five reasons why I think checking a bag is better than traveling with a carry-on.

Security Is a Breeze

TSA PreCheck eliminated much of my security stress. However, when I travel with a carry-on, I still ask if I need to remove my laptop and liquids. I need to scramble for multiple bins. And I’m always concerned that I’ve forgotten something. When my suitcase is checked, I slide my laptop out of my tote, pass through the scanner and move on my way.

Bring All the Things

Packing a carry-on involves making a series of decisions. This sweater or that one? These sandals or those? It works for me most of the time since I’ve realized that no one cares what I’m wearing. But, for other trips, I like the flexibility to bring more shoes or full-sized toiletries. And I don’t have to overstuff a carry-on, so there’s always room for souvenirs.

Less Schlepping

I’ve been taking more solo trips since I’m retired and my husband, family and friends are still working. It’s wonderful, but I’m frequently navigating airports on my own. So there’s no one to watch my bag while I dart into the restroom. If you’ve tried to wheel your bag into a bathroom stall, you understand the hassle.

No Overhead Bin Drama

Not boarding until Zone 5? The overhead bin space will be gone by then, and your bag will be gate-checked. Perhaps you’ll get lucky and be able to pick it up on the ramp. But, there’s always the possibility you’ll end up at the baggage carousel. When you check your bag, you can board with your hands free and not have to fight for your right to stow.

Special Occasions

You plan on hiking. Or you’re going to a destination wedding. Maybe you’re traveling for two or three weeks. There are times when you need to travel with bulky items, things that need special care or just more stuff. I visit family overseas several times a year. They always have a list of “please bring if you have the room” items. And that’s when a checked bag becomes a trip-saver.

Also check out Best 9 Carry-on Rolling Suitcases.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you carry on or check your bag? Has your luggage been lost on a flight? Is your favorite bag a classic neutral or fun color?