Max Travel Suitcase Tips: To Check or Not to Check?

by Dr. Cindi H. Fries, Max Travel Abroad LLC

Ah, the age-old question that has plagued travelers for centuries: to check or not to check a suitcase? That is the question!

Are you a light packer or a serial over-packer? Do you breeze through airports or always find yourself sprinting to catch your next flight?

As you stand at the airport pondering the fate of your belongings, let's dive into some factors to consider when making this monumental decision.

• Tight Connections: If your connection time is less than 90 minutes, carrying your bag means you’ll have everything with you if you need to sprint to the next gate. On the downside, you’ll be hauling it all, which can be a burden if you’re navigating a big airport. Checking a bag, however, lightens your load, though it may not make it to the next flight if your incoming flight is delayed.

  
  

• Bringing More: Checking a bag gives you the flexibility to pack more than a single carry-on, so if the 22" carry-on can’t quite fit everything, it may be worth it. This way, you can have a larger suitcase and a personal item on board. But if you’re flying business or premium economy, you may be allowed two carry-ons and a personal item, which lets you maximize space without checking anything.

  Read the Max Travel Packing tips if you want to avoid the burden of over packing for your next trip to Europe.

  
  

  

  
  

• Layovers vs. Direct Flights: For direct flights, checking your suitcase is usually less risky in terms of it arriving with you. However, with multiple layovers, each connection adds to the chance of the bag missing the next flight—an important point for trips with limited time at each destination.

  
  

  

  
  

• Consider the Odds: With around 6–7 bags per 1,000 delayed or misplaced in transit, and over 9% of flights to Europe delayed during peak seasons, the chance of luggage disruptions adds up—especially if you’re catching a connection. To keep things simple (and stress-free), pack a carry-on with essentials. If you check your suitcase, keep valuables in your hand luggage and consider inserting tracking tags for peace of mind. So, when trying to decide to check or not to check your suitcase, keep in mind you have a 99.24% chance that your bag will arrive on time - but if it doesn’t, you might be left scrambling to make do without your carefully selected outfits.

  
  

• Time at Arrival: If you’re on a tight schedule when you land, maybe you are departing the destination immediately, or only staying one night in your arrival city, carry-on only might save precious time by letting you skip the baggage claim area. However, if you’ve got time to spare, waiting for your bag to come through isn’t much of a hassle.

  
  

  

  
  

• Airline and Destination Rules: Some international airlines have stricter size and weight rules for carry-ons than American carriers. Double-check your airline’s policy for both directions of your flight, especially if there’s a different international carrier for the return trip. Code-shared flights often mean the more restrictive carrier’s rules will apply.

  
  

• Increased Security: Consider restrictions and potential delays at security if you’re carrying on. An overpacked bag might need extra screening. When traveling with only a carry-on bag means all liquids, cosmetics, or electronics must follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rules, 3 oz or less - 1 quart size, clear, plastic, zip top bag (all liquids must fit in bag) - 1 per passenger. This means that if you don't check your suitcase, everything in your carry-on needs to be 100 ml/3 oz or less.

  If you can't go without your larger bottles of health & beauty aids, then check your bag with all your non-essentials, and you’ll likely get through security more smoothly with just a daypack or small bag containing essentials (medicines and valuables and one extra outfit).

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    TSA 3-1-1 rule liquids in quart size bag

• Weather and Seasonal Needs: Winter travelers or those visiting colder climates often need more layers and gear, which means your bag might not fit carry-on size restrictions. In that case it make sense to avoid having to stuff bulky clothing into a carry-on. However bringing a bag larger than 22" goes against Max Travel Abroad packing guidelines and travel Maximums.

• Securing Your Stuff: Carry-On Essentials

  - Valuables: Keep your bling, gadgets, and important papers close by in your carry-on for safekeeping and easy access during your travels.

  - Medications: Don't forget to stash your vital meds in your carry-on for quick access in case of travel hiccups. And hey, carry a copy of your prescription too!

  
  

When it comes to the age-old dilemma of whether to check a suitcase or not, the decision ultimately depends on various factors such as your travel itinerary, airline rules, your ticket class (business or economy), and personal preferences (and whether or not you are in shape enough to sprint through an airport carrying all of your stuff).

Remember to consider aspects like tight connections, the amount of luggage you need, and the time you have upon arrival.

Check out Max Travel Abroad packing list for Europe here if you want guidance and tips on that much debated issue!

Regardless of your choice, ensuring that you have all your essentials in your carry-on is crucial for a smooth travel experience. From valuables to medications, keeping these items close will give you peace of mind throughout your journey.

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