Carry-on and check-in luggage questions. Please help!

Hello there,
I know I have silly questions, but can you please let me know what I am allowed to carry on and check-in on the plane?  My make up bag is very important, as you know creams are very expensive, I heard there are limitations.
Thank you

You have to check with the individual airline, but for the most part, you have to check any liquid/gel/cream that isn't 3oz or less.  You have to put these in a clear plastic bag and pull them out of your carry on when you go through security.

What geeta said!    But most international flights allow 2 checked bags up to 50 pounds, but some are changing that to only 1 checked bag.

I would put my creams in ziplocs in case they spill, and try and pack soft stuff around them.  If they have push-up tops maybe tape the top closed to try and keep it from smushing out during the baggage loading. 

Hello there,
I know I have silly questions, but can you please let me know what I am allowed to carry on and check-in on the plane?  My make up bag is very important, as you know creams are very expensive, I heard there are limitations.
Thank you

You need to check with your airline, not this forum. All of them have different policies and some enforce more stringently than others. Virgin, for example, has one carry-on bag allowance -- that's including your purse, laptop, etc. Just one single piece. And depending on the airport they very serious about enforcing it.

Lugguage reqs is something airline website actually do spell out pretty clearly, unlike the rest of their T&Cs so going there and checking is all you need to do. They cover the 3-1-1 rule pretty thoroughly too usually.

do keep in mind though that you can only carry on one quart sized plastic bag of your liquids and things like lipstick technically count in that, so you're better off checking anything you don't need for the flight.

What geeta said!    But most international flights allow 2 checked bags up to 50 pounds, but some are changing that to only 1 checked bag.

I would put my creams in ziplocs in case they spill, and try and pack soft stuff around them.  If they have push-up tops maybe tape the top closed to try and keep it from smushing out during the baggage loading. 

I feel like I'm getting spoiled with Air New Zealand! Two checked bags (for free! a rarity these days!), which cannot exceed a combined weight of 100 pounds (46 kg), and no one bag can be over 70 pounds (32 kg).

The amount of luggage you can carry definitely varies from airline to airline, check your specific carrier for details.  You need to pack smart and be prepared for the security checkpoint, those requirements will NOT vary if you're coming from the States, as the FAA rules are all the same at any US airport.  If the cream or liquid isn't something you absolutely will need for the flight or within the next few days, your best bet is to put it in your checked luggage, inside a plastic ziplock bag.  If it's in a glass or breakable container, layer it in between two sweaters.  Otherwise, buy some cheap, FAA-approved containers because they're typically cheaper than the travel sized toiletries you'll find at the pharmacy.  Fill those with your liquids, and make sure they're in a ziplock bag!

Basic question to always ask yourself: Do I absolutely need this item while I'm on the plane?

I feel like I'm getting spoiled with Air New Zealand! Two checked bags (for free! a rarity these days!), which cannot exceed a combined weight of 100 pounds (46 kg), and no one bag can be over 70 pounds (32 kg).

Ya know a couple of weeks ago BA was allowing 2 checked bags but must have pulled it when they found out I was coming Oh well I guess I will have to manage to get my things in 2 bags because my fiance will be carrying one for me. We are talking about paying to add another. I might check out UPS to ship some clothes, just want to see a price to compare it.

Ya know a couple of weeks ago BA was allowing 2 checked bags but must have pulled it when they found out I was coming Oh well I guess I will have to manage to get my things in 2 bags because my fiance will be carrying one for me. We are talking about paying to add another. I might check out UPS to ship some clothes, just want to see a price to compare it.

In my experience, if the items to ship are heavy, it is actually cheaper to pay the $50 or whatever to bring another bag.  My parents paid $50 to ship a 12 x 9 x 4 inch (approx) box with canned pumpkin and other goodies through USPS to us.  I can't imagine what a suitcase load of clothes would cost.

I put this in another thread about checked baggage, but I'll add it here too.  If you are flying BA, you can pre-pay for an additional bag online and it works out to be cheaper than paying the counter fee for it.

In my experience, if the items to ship are heavy, it is actually cheaper to pay the $50 or whatever to bring another bag.  My parents paid $50 to ship a 12 x 9 x 4 inch (approx) box with canned pumpkin and other goodies through USPS to us.  I can't imagine what a suitcase load of clothes would cost.

That depends...I flew with United Airlines and it was $200 for an additional bag.  Also keep in mind that USPS shipping also depends on the size of the box.  I once shipped a large box that weighed only 3lbs a few hundred miles and it cost me over $50.  She told me that if I had been able to use a smaller box (I couldn't because of the shape of the item) it could have cost me as little as $7.

ALOT of airlines just launched this new baggage rule as of Nov 1, and I am traveling US airways to my connecting flight United Airways to London. US Airways is now charging $25 for the first bag... more if you want two etc. United is allowing me 1 bag checked.... something I am sooo glad I checked because I dont want that surprise $$ charge when I check in. If you type your airlines and "baggage" into google you will get the page on their website that lets you know your bag allowance

I put this in another thread about checked baggage, but I'll add it here too.  If you are flying BA, you can pre-pay for an additional bag online and it works out to be cheaper than paying the counter fee for it.

Continental do this too for all tickets bought after 2 Oct 09 you have to pay for your 2nd piece of checked luggage.  If you do online check-in you get a lowered rate for your 2nd bag etc as opposed to paying at the counter.    

But then with the airlines now charging for 2nd bags it depends on your flying club status (if any) as well as your fare rate as to the weight of and how many bags you can check for x price (or inclusive in your ticket).

Here's the deal with United Airlines (I flew over on them a couple weeks ago)... I even called to have this clarified as it was really confusing...


If you purchased your ticket before September 30th, you are allowed 2 free checked bags.
If you purchased your ticket after September 30th, however are flying before December 15th, you are allowed 2 checked bags for free.  Flying after December 15th you are only allowed 1 for free.  Second bag is $50.


Again, with flying United, if you are over the weight limit, baggage too big, etc. the extra charge is $200. 


Shipping UPS is ridiculous- for kicks I looked it up before moving.  And depending on where you are, to ship a 20 lb box could cost well over $300.

The US Postal Service does offer M Bags.  If you have books you want to bring over (and it can be only books), again depending on where you are,  a 20 lb box of books will cost roughly $60 to ship.

I know you didn't ask for this info, but you never know- it may be useful.

What I did was packed my monster suitcase (ended up weighing 43 lbs) and found the largest box I could that was still under the size restrictions (ending up being 52 lbs, but they let it slide, luckily!!!).  I had one carry-on suitcase and my "personal item" was the largest handbag looking thing that I could find that I jammed full.


Best of luck with moving!

Ya know a couple of weeks ago BA was allowing 2 checked bags but must have pulled it when they found out I was coming Oh well I guess I will have to manage to get my things in 2 bags because my fiance will be carrying one for me. We are talking about paying to add another. I might check out UPS to ship some clothes, just want to see a price to compare it.

Does BA no longer allow 2 checked bags per person? I looked at the site yesterday and thought I still could bring 2 bags per person, up to 50 lbs each.  Unless I read it wrong....