If you want to conserve airline travels costs, it’s time to start packing lighter and smarter. Most major airlines are now assessing costly extra charges for excessive baggage, overweight bags and oversize luggage. The airlines are trying to curtail operating costs and increase margins by passing the fees to its customers.

Most airlines now only permit two free checked bags. An exception is Southwest Airlines which permits three. The weight for each piece of checked luggage is typically a maximum of 50 pounds. Charges for excess weight for each bag is usually $25 for each bag exceeding 50 pounds and some airlines charge as much as $80 for each piece exceeding 70 pounds.

The additional fees for excess bags can be exorbitant with some airlines tacking-on $80 for the first three bags above the minimum, $105 per piece for the fourth, fifth and sixth bag and a whopping $180 for each subsequent piece of luggage.

Fees for oversize bags range from $50 (Southwest) to $80 for most other major airlines. Oversize bags range from between 63” and 80” to between 63” and 160” total inches. Check with your airline to verify its maximum permitted sizes.

Tips to Lighten the Load & Reduce Travel Expenses