Travel Experts Are Warning You to Watch Out for This Suitcase Scam

Traveling can be stressful and is probably the least favorite part of your vacation.

Orlando Airport

When traveling by plane, there is so much you need to make sure you do before you can even sit down in your seat and start your vacation. From parking, checking in, dropping off your bags, going through security, and boarding, it can be a lot!. We have some great tips on how to make your experience less stressful at the Orlando Airport that you can read about here, but now there is another thing you need to be aware of before you travel, and that is the size of your luggage.

Many travelers try to fly with only a carry-on these days — us, too, because of those checked baggage fees added on by many airlines! So you might be shopping for a new carry-on that allows you to maximize your packing space. That’s why we need to warn you about the way luggage is advertised.

©Amazon

Lots of companies make rolling suitcases they call a “carry-on,” but one-size-fits-all doesn’t work with the airlines. Let’s take a look at some carry-on size limits:

Southwest: 24” x 16” x 10”
Spirit: 22” x 18” x 10”
United: 22” x 14” x 9”
JetBlue: 22” x 14” x 9”
Delta: 22” x 14” x 9”
Allegiant: 22” x 14” x 9”
American: 22” x 14” x 10”
Frontier: 24” x 16” x 10”

Are you surprised by all the variation? We were! It’s important to look beyond the “carry-on” label and into the actual dimensions of your luggage. So, you choose a rolling suitcase that fits within these sizes for your favorite airline and you’re good to go, right? Not exactly…

Grand Californian Suitcase

Most luggage companies post the measurements of their bags based on the luggage “box” — without measuring things that protrude like handles, straps, and wheels. What does most carry-on luggage have? Handles and wheels. When you get to the airport, you may be asked to put your carry-on into a measuring device — and that device is going to include wheels and handles in the measurement. If your suitcase doesn’t fit, you know what happens … you’re forced to check it at the gate for a fee that wasn’t in your vacation budget!

MCO Luggage Drop-Off

Consumer Reports studied this and found that 9 out of 11 of the suitcases they tested were larger than advertised — once you included the handles and wheels!

Security Lines at MCO

When buying a new suitcase, you need to be careful. Sometimes, luggage companies advertise the INTERNAL dimensions rather than the EXTERNAL ones that most airlines follow. This can be seen as a scam since you think the dimensions being advertised are the ones that airlines follow, but most times the tag on the luggage is showing the internal dimensions.

Orlando International Airport

It’s important then to be sure you’re looking at the full dimensions of the luggage before you buy. We suggest digging deep into the specs on the web site and, if you’re still in doubt, chat with customer service to be sure the measurement for your prospective suitcase includes the handle and wheels.

Frontier Plane at the Orlando Airport

The next time you buy new luggage or just want to make sure your luggage size fits the airline’s requirements, remember to double-check your airline’s requirements and be sure your measurement includes everything on the bag — even the wheels! Keep following DFB for more travel tips!