If you're staying at a hotel, resort or bed and breakfast, phone in advance to find out what amenities are available, such as towels, hair dryer, soap, shampoo and other toiletries. Only pack the items that are not provided.
Purchase travel-sized toiletry items. Alternatively, purchase your own plastic bottles that comply with the Transport Security Administration regulations and decant your toiletries into smaller bottles. To comply with security requirements, all liquids and gels must be placed in individual 3.4-oz. or smaller containers to fit inside a quart-size clear plastic, zip bag.
Select and coordinate your clothing so that you can mix and match without having to wear a completely new outfit each day. Keep in mind laundry services that may be available. Alternatively, take your own laundry soap from home and wash your underwear and other quick-drying items yourself.
Buy lighter luggage so that less of your weight allowance is taken up by the bag itself. Pick a soft-bodied bag so that it will fit under the seat in case the overhead bin is full by the time you board.
Check for exceptions to the baggage-fee rule, such as flying in business class.
Consider shipping some of your items to your destination in advance if you absolutely must have them and the shipping cost is less than the bag fee.
