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4. Know luggage rules by airline

 I reviewed the burst of surcharges on luggage and more in the pastfew weeks. Don't get caught opening your wallet wide at the airportwhen you follow your old routine of two checked bags plus acarry-on, only to find out that one or two of your three items willcost you $15 - $25.

 Most folks know by now that the majority of airlines will charge$25 for a second checked bag; fewer realize that Northwest, United,US Airways and Spirit will charge you $15 for a first checked bag,each way. So anytime you are pricing out flights, you'll want toadd the applicable baggage charges to the cost of any roundtripflight on these airlines   or pack more efficiently to lightenyour load.

 5. Weigh your bags at home

 Similarly, your checked bags could cost you if they are overweight;the difference between a 49-pound bag and a 51-pound bag could be$50, the most common fee for any bag weighing in excess of 50pounds. It is worth noting that if you are traveling with acompanion, and he has a 40-pound bag while you have a 52-pound bag,the airline does not average the two and let you pass; you'll stillpay for the one overweight bag. If you take the time to weigh yourbags before you leave, you can redistribute the contents such thatyou pay less or nothing at check-in.

 As above, you will want to know the luggage rules; while mostairlines charge $50 for any bag over 50 pounds, Delta charges $80and Frontier charges $75; not all overweight bags lighten yourwallet by the same amount.

 6. Pack lighter, and let the hotel pick up the tab

 Many essential travel items can be obtained free of charge in yourhotel room or from the front desk   razors, tooth brush andtoothpaste, hand soap, hair dryers and more. Instead of packing(and paying for) these items, simply request them at check-in. Ifyou do end up having to purchase them at your destination, you'llfind that prices at the CVS don't vary much nationwide.