| How to Freeze Fresh Squash Posted: 19 Dec 2018 12:00 AM PST If you have too much fresh squash to use and want to save some for later, why not freeze it? Winter and summer squash can both be blanched and frozen. Blanching protects the flavor, color, and even the nourishing vitamins of the squash. Winter squash can also be frozen raw and saved for baked goods or soup. So, whatever season you're in, you can have a surplus of seasonal squash stored away! EditFreezing Raw Winter Squash - Peel the squash using a vegetable peeler or knife. Set the squash on a cutting board and cut the rounded ends off of each side. Then, holding the squash in one hand, use a vegetable peeler in your dominant hand to peel strips of squash off away from you. If you're using a knife, hold the squash upright on your cutting board and slice downwards, removing the squash's skin.[1]
- Once you've finished one section with the vegetable peeler, rotate the squash in your non-dominant hand to peel another side.
- With a knife, slice just beneath the skin on one side of the squash. Then, slice all the way down the length of the squash until this strip is completely removed. Continue slicing off other strips of skin in this manner until you make it all the way around the squash.
- Cut the squash into cubes. Use a serrated kitchen knife to cut the squash into evenly-sized pieces. You can technically cut the pieces into any size, but cubes are good for freezer bags if you don't have a specific size in mind.[2]
- Use a cutting board whenever chopping vegetables.
- Freeze the squash on a baking sheet for 2 hours. Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Spread the pieces of squash onto the baking sheet in a single layer, without overlapping. Place this baking sheet in the freezer and allow the squash to freeze solid for around 2 hours.[3]
- Freezing the pieces this way makes it less likely that the squash will stick together in long-term frozen storage.
- Transfer the squash to a freezer-safe container. Take the individually frozen pieces of squash and place them into a freezer-safe plastic container or plastic bag. Leave of empty space on the top before sealing the container.[4]
- Tupperware and plastic bags both make good storage solutions.
- If using a plastic bag, push as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing it.
- Freeze the uncooked squash for up to 12 months. Place the containers of squash in the freezer and store them there until you are ready to use the vegetable in a dish. Label the bag or container so you know when you put it in the freezer for storage.[5]
- Defrost the squash or add it directly to certain soups and chilis. When you're ready to use the squash, you can add the chunks directly to warm stews or you can thaw them for use in other recipes. To thaw the frozen squash, move the bag of squash from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight, or set it out on the counter for 3-4 hours.[6]
- You can also roast butternut squash directly from the freezer without thawing it.
EditCooking and Freezing Winter Squash - Preheat the oven to . You will be using the oven to roast the squash before freezing them. Set the oven to Bake and turn it up to . If you prefer, it is also possible to cook the squash in the microwave, in which case you do not need to worry about preheating the oven.
- Cut the squash in half using a sharp, serrated knife. Set the squash on a cutting board, and hold it steady with one hand. Using the knife, cut the squash into halves lengthwise. Set the squash halves down on the cutting board, with the flesh-side facing up.[7]
- For bigger squash like butternut squash, move slowly and carefully with the knife. Squash roll, and you don't want the knife to slip. If the squash is smaller, like an acorn squash, it will be easier to hold it steady.
- Scoop out the stringy insides of the squash. Using a spoon or your hands, scoop away and discard any pulp or seeds on the inside of the squash. If you have a melon baller, this is a great tool to easily scoop and discard seeds.[8] A serrated grapefruit spoon will also help get the job done.[9]
- Compost or trash the inner bits of the squash.
- Spoons don't cut as well through the strings of a squash as a melon baller, due to their dull edges.
- Place the squash, flesh-side up, on a baking sheet. If you want to add some flavor, season the squash with salt and pepper. You can also add about 1 tbsp (15 mL) of butter or honey and 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of brown sugar to the squash at this point.[10]
- If you plan to roast the squash straight out of the freezer, adding butter and brown sugar at this stage is a good idea. Otherwise, the squash will preserve better without additives, and you can just bake it as it is.
- Bake the squash for 25 minutes or until it is tender. Place the baking sheet in the previously preheated oven () and let them bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, take the baking tray out, and use a fork to check if the flesh is soft (you should be able to pierce the flesh with the fork).[11]
- To microwave the squash, place the squash pieces on a piece of microwave-safe plastic wrap on top of a microwavable plate. Cook them for 15 minutes on high, checking the squash at every 5 minute interval. Continue cooking until the flesh is soft enough to scoop it out of the skin with a spoon.[12]
- Scoop out the flesh of the squash with a spoon. Once the squash has cooled down sufficiently, use a metal spoon to dig out the softened insides of the squash away from its skin. Transfer the fleshy parts into a separate bowl and discard the hollowed out skin once you're done.[13]
- You can also use a serrated spoon for a bit of extra help digging out the flesh.
- Puree the cooked squash. A puree of winter squash will hold up well in the freezer for many months. Use a blender or a food processor to puree the winter squash until all of the lumps are gone. Cooking will have softened the squash to make this step rather easy.[14]
- Alternatively, you can mash the squash with a mashing tool or even a run of the mill metal fork to achieve a similar effect.
- Portion and freeze small amounts of the pureed squash. Wait for the squash to cool, then portion out balls of the puree, placing them on a parchment-covered baking sheet or in an ice cube tray or muffin tin. Pop the tray or tin in the freezer and let the pureed squash freeze for at least four hours, or until frozen solid.[15]
- Pureed squash will freeze best if it's frozen in small portions, but if you're in a rush, you can skip this step and transfer the puree to long-term storage immediately.
- Transfer the pureed squash to the freezer for up to 3 months. Once the smaller portions are frozen solid, spoon them into freezer-safe plastic containers or plastic bags. Place the containers of squash in your freezer and save until they're ready to use.[16]
- If you're using plastic bags, remove as much air as possible from the bags before you seal them.
- Defrost the puree for baking or cooking. Place the puree in the refrigerator overnight to thaw it, or set it out on the counter for 3-4 hours to defrost it. You can then microwave the puree or heat it on the stovetop to add it to warm dishes. You can also add it directly to soups and chilis.[17]
- Winter squash puree is a great candidate for adding to sauces, soups, dips, lasagnas, enchiladas, and baked breads or muffins.
EditBlanching and Freezing Summer Squash - Cut the squash into rounds thick. Use a sharp, heavy kitchen knife to slice off both ends of the squash, then slice your summer squash into the thin rounds. Move lengthwise down the squash, slicing every .[18]
- If you are freezing zucchini to make zucchini bread in the future, you should grate it instead. Use a box grater to grate the zucchini into a bowl.
- There is no need to peel the squash first in this method, as you are going to blanch it.
- Boil of water per of summer squash. Use a large stockpot over high heat. Place a wire basket or metal steamer into the stockpot. The wire basket should dip down into the water so that the squash will be completely immersed in the boiling water.[19]
- You are not steaming the squash in this method. Instead, you are using the wire basket as a way to easily fish the squash out of the water when ready.
- Put the squash into a wire basket and blanch them for 3 to 4 minutes. Place no more than 1 lb (450 g) of squash in the boiling water at a time. Cook for roughly 3 minutes. After the pieces of squash are done, remove the squash from the stockpot using the wire basket.[20]
- You can poke the squash with a fork after 3 minutes to check for tenderness. If the squash feel tender, they are ready.[21]
- If you are working with grated zucchini, blanch the grated pieces in small batches for 1 to 2 minutes each, until they feel tender.[22]
- Dunk the squash in cold water or a bowl of ice for another 3 minutes. If you're using a bowl of ice, make sure you have about of ice to of vegetables. If you're using liquid water, run cold tap water continuously over the squash or change it frequently so it stays cold. Ideally, the water should be or below.[23]
- Dunking the squash in ice water after you have blanched it will stop the cooking process, thereby preventing the enzymes from breaking down any further. As a result, you are left with squash that retains its color, flavor, and most of its texture.
- Drain the squash to remove any excess water. Pour the ice bucket filled with squash through a colander (or any kind of strainer) to remove excess water from the squash. This will prepare the squash for freezing. Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel after draining.[24]
- You can sandwich the squash between two paper towels for about 10 minutes to make sure they have dried completely.
- Freeze the blanched squash in a plastic bag for up to 6 months. Fill freezer-safe plastic containers or plastic bags with the squash. If using plastic bags, you can try to push as much air as possible out of the bag before sealing. Place the containers of squash in the freezer. Keep them there until you are ready to use them.[25]
- Blanched summer squash will usually stay good in a freezer for up to 6 months.
- Defrost the squash and use it for cooking or baking. Place the summer squash in the fridge overnight to thaw it out, or place it on the counter for 3-4 hours to defrost it. Then, use your frozen summer squash in pasta sauces, soups, casseroles, or as a side dish.[26]
- Grated zucchini will work very well in risotto, soup, muffin batter, or cake batter.[27]
- As a totally stand alone dish, grated squash can be sautéed in brown butter with garlic and sage.[28]
EditThings You'll Need EditFreezing Winter Squash Raw - Vegetable peeler or smooth knife
- Serrated kitchen knife
- Baking tray
- Freezer-safe plastic container or plastic bag
EditCooking and Freezing Winter Squash - Serrated kitchen knife
- Food processor or blender
- Freezer-safe plastic containers or plastic bags
EditCooking and Freezing Summer Squash - Serrated kitchen knife
- Large stockpot
- Wire basket or colander
- Large bowl of ice water
- Baking sheet
- Freezer-safe plastic container or plastic bag
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Dress a Baby in Winter Posted: 18 Dec 2018 04:00 PM PST Dress your baby in layers during the winter to keep them warm and comfortable. If you think your baby is getting too hot, you can easily remove a layer. To keep your baby comfortable at night in the wintertime, put them in footed pajamas and a wearable blanket. Always remember to avoid putting blankets or pillows in the crib until your baby is at least 1 year old. EditDressing Your Baby for Indoors - Put a soft cotton onesie on your baby. For the first layer, dress your baby in a comfortable onesie made of a breathable fabric such as wool or cotton. This will help moisture escape so your baby stays warm and dry.[1]
- While you can dress your baby in a short-sleeve onesie as long as they're very well layered, try to use long-sleeved onesies for the best coverage.
- Add fleece pants to the outfit. To add another insulating layer, dress your baby in pants to help trap warmth. Select fleece pants with a snug waist band so they don't slide down your baby's torso.[2]
- For the warmest pants, look for ones with that extend and cover the feet.
- Add a light jacket or sweater. Since most baby onesies are thin, dress your baby in another layer such as a thin fleece jacket or long-sleeved sweater. Pick a jacket or sweater that's soft. If your baby gets too warm, you can easily take off the jacket to remove a layer.[3]
- For example, once your baby has a long-sleeve onesie on, put on a pair of pants and a light, fleece sweater.
- Put warm socks on the baby. If you're dressing your baby in a bodysuit, look for one with attached feet covers. If you're layering your baby in a onesie and pants, put a pair of warm socks on their feet. Try to choose socks with slightly elastic bands that won't slide off the baby's feet.[4]
EditAdding Layers for Taking Your Baby Outdoors - Button your newborn to 6-month-old in a baby bunting. If you want to take your baby outside in the winter, they'll need a few more layers to stay warm. Once you've dressed them in a few light layers, put them in a polyester or down-filled baby bunting.[5]
- If you have a newborn, you'll also need to wrap them in a blanket.
- Add a coat or snowsuit for 6- to 12-month-olds. To take an older baby outdoors in winter, choose a coat or snowsuit filled with polyester or down. Look for one that has a hood attached so you can easily put it up over your baby's head.[6]
- The hood should completely cover your baby's ears as well. If it doesn't, put a fleece hat on your baby's head under the hood.
- Avoid putting a coat on the baby if you're putting them in a car seat. Bulky coats or puffy jackets will flatten instantly if there's a car crash which will leave a gap between the baby and the car seat harness. Instead, buckle your baby into their car seat and then lay a blanket or coat over the baby.[7]
- To make it easier to get your baby into their car seat in the winter, keep the seat in the house. Buckle the baby into it and lay the blanket over them. Then you can quickly carry the baby in the car seat to the car once you're ready to go.
- Cover your baby's head and ears with a warm hat. Look for a hat that will go down over the ears or that has ear flaps. Feel the inside of the hat to ensure the fabric isn't scratchy and won't irritate your baby. Many baby hats are lined with fleece so they're comfortable and insulated.[8]
- Choose a hat that has a Velcro strap and use it to secure the hat under your baby's chin. This way they're less likely to pull the hat off.
- Put mittens on the baby's hands when they'll be outside. Since babies have such small fingers, they get cold very quickly. To protect their hands, put thick mittens on them. Choose mittens that your baby won't be able to pull off easily.[9]
- Avoid trying to put gloves on your older baby since it will be too difficult to get the individual fingers into them.
- If your newborn's onesie has hand covers near the cuffs, fold them over the hands for an extra layer of protection.
- Put boots on your baby to keep their feet warm. Cover your baby's feet with thick socks and then put their baby boots on. These sturdy boots will prevent their feet from getting too cold in the winter.[10]
- It may be hard to find thick winter boots for small babies, so you may need to put several layers of socks under their booties if you can't find boots.
EditKeeping Your Baby Warm at Night - Choose footed pajamas to put your baby in before bed. Put your baby in a footed cotton onesie that covers their arms, legs, and feet. If your baby's room is very cold, you can also put a sleeveless onesie or vest on the baby under the pajama onesie.[11]
- If you co-sleep with your baby, they probably don't need very heavy pajamas. Instead, dress them in lighter pajamas and avoid layering.
- Check your baby's back or tummy to see if they're cool. The best way to determine if your baby is warm enough is to feel their back or tummy. It should feel warm, not cool or sweaty. If your child's hair or face is sweaty, they're probably too hot.[12]
- Don't use the temperature of your baby's hands or feet to determine if they're cold since these are normally a little cooler than the rest of the body.
- Zip or button your baby into a wearable blanket if their room is cold. While some baby sleep bags are one-size fits all, others are available in sizes to fit your baby. Set your baby in their light pajamas into the wearable blanket and then zip or snap them in. Many of these also have Velcro wraps that you can tuck around the baby so they feel swaddled.[13]
- Don't dress your baby in several layers of pajamas before putting them in the wearable blanket or they may overheat.
- Avoid putting blankets, pillows, and loose bedding in the crib. It's tempting to think that your baby will be cozier if there are quilts, pillows, or blankets in their crib. Unfortunately, having loose bedding in the crib can cause babies to suffocate if they can't push the item away from their face. Instead, just cover the mattress with a sheet and place the baby in the crib.[14]
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until your baby turns 1 before putting a blanket in their crib.
- You can make your baby's crib a little warmer by putting a flannel fitted sheet on the mattress in winter.
- The temperature of your baby's room should be between and at night.
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Cut Roses Posted: 18 Dec 2018 08:00 AM PST Stop and smell the roses, then whip out a pair of pruning shears and bring the blooms home with you. To make your beautiful bouquet last longer, cut the stems at an angle so they can get enough water, trim the lower leaves, and place the roses in a clean vase filled with water. Feed them regularly and you'll be able to enjoy your roses for 1 to 2 weeks. EditTrimming the Stems - Choose pruners or scissors with sharp blades to cut the stem cleanly. You don't want to crush the waterways in the stem. The sharper the blade of the pruners or garden scissors, the easier it will be to trim the stem without squeezing it too hard.[1]
- A pair of shears or scissors with a smaller head are best for reaching into thick bushes.
- As opposed to flat blades, curved blades tend to make the cleanest cuts.
- Some pairs of scissors and shears have a "cut and hold" feature that holds onto the stems when they're cut so they don't fall to the ground.
- Clean the blades often with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Cut the roses in the early morning, before 10 a.m. Roses are most hydrated and have the highest respiration in the morning hours. Never cut the roses during the middle of the day. That's when they're driest and weakest.[2]
- If you can't cut the flowers in the morning, late evening is the 2nd best time for cutting.
- Look for roses whose outer petals have just started to open. This means that the rose is in the late bud stage. The exterior petals should be unfurled but the entire flower shouldn't be completely open.[3]
- The number of petals a rose variety has can affect which blooms you cut. For example, roses with more petals, like the Moonstone or St. Patrick types, can be cut at a more open stage. If you aren't sure which variety you have, ask your local nursery or look at a gardening book or website.[4]
- Trim the stems at a 45 degree angle, close to the base of the bush. Cutting the stems on an angle prevents them from sitting flat on the bottom of a vase, which would stop water from flowing up the stem. Longer stems allow you extra length at the end to trim off if you need to fit a vase, so cut them as low to the ground as you can.[5]
- Cut stems from the front of the bush. The stems in the back haven't been exposed to as much sunlight, so they're usually weaker.
- Set the stems in a bucket of cool water immediately after cutting them. This does not need to be your vase. Instead, use a bucket with a large enough opening for you to work inside, in case you need to.[6]
- The water level in the bucket should not be so high that it gets the flowers wet. Only the stems should be wet.
- You can buy buckets specifically for flowers at a garden store, nursery, or online retailer.
- If you've used the bucket before, make sure you thoroughly clean and sanitize it with soap and water before placing the roses inside.
EditDisplaying Your Cut Roses - Wash a vase thoroughly with soap and warm water to sanitize it. This is different than the bucket you originally placed the roses in. A clean vase is essential to keep your roses fresh, since any bacteria left in the vase can kill the blooms. Use a bottle brush to get all the way down inside the vase.[7]
- Run your vase on a normal cycle in the dishwasher if it's dishwasher-safe.
- Remove any leaves that sit below the water line. This prevents any bacteria that was on the leaves from contaminating the water. Use scissors to snip off the leaves as close to the stem as possible or pluck them off with your fingers.[8]
- Don't remove all of the upper leaves, though. Otherwise, the roses won't be able to pull water up the stem.
- If you notice any leaves drop into the water while you're arranging the stems, fish them out immediately so they don't dirty the water.
- Recut the stems another , keeping them underwater. This makes sure there are no air bubbles clogging the waterways in the stems. Do not pull them out of the water while you're cutting them.[9]
- Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle, just like you did when you trimmed them from the bush.
- If you need to make the roses shorter to fit the vase, it's okay to cut the stems more than .
- You can wear a pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands from the thorns on the stems.
- Set the rose stems inside a vase filled 3/4 of the way with water. Lukewarm or cool water is best for roses. The more flowers you have in the vase, the bigger the vase and the more water you'll need.[10]
- Don't overcrowd the roses in a small vase. They'll wilt faster because they won't get enough water.
- If you want to extend the life of your cut roses, sprinkle plant food into the water. You can buy premade plant food at a garden store, or make your own at home. of white vinegar
* of sugar
* of bleach
Combine all of the ingredients and pour the mixture into the water in the vase.[11]}} EditCaring for Cut Roses - Keep the roses in a cool place, out of direct sunlight. Heat or too much sun will cause cut roses to wilt faster. Avoid placing them on a windowsill or in a room that's not temperature-controlled like a sunroom.[12]
- Placing the roses in the refrigerator when you aren't displaying them, like overnight, will help them last longer.
- Avoid putting roses near fruits or vegetables that are ripening. The produce emits ethylene gas, which ages cut flowers.
- Change the water everyday to prevent bacteria from growing. Dirty water will cause your roses to die much faster. If you're unable to replace the water every day, do it was often as possible to keep your roses alive longer.[13]
- Don't use softened water. It contains salt, which is bad for the roses.
- If the water turns cloudy, change it immediately.
- When you change the water, don't forget to put more plant food in the vase, too.
- Recut the rose stems every 2 to 3 days. Cut them on a 45 degree slant to prevent the waterways from clogging and encouraging more water flow. You don't need to cut them much shorter. A simple trim will do.[14]
- Make sure your scissors or pruners are clean before you cut the stems.
- If you can't cut the stems underwater in the vase, pull them out to trim them. Just return them to the water immediately after cutting them so they don't dry out.
EditThings You'll Need - Garden shears
- Bucket
- Vase
- Water
- Soap
- Bottle brush
- Plant food
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Avoid Airline Baggage Fees Posted: 18 Dec 2018 12:00 AM PST As a passenger, you're interested in keeping your overall travel costs as low as possible. Many travelers can avoid all baggage fees by using only carry-on luggage and researching exceptions. If you must check bags, you can still plan ahead to minimize the fees you must pay. Since fees are based on the size, weight, and amount of luggage you carry, packing light can help any passenger avoid the worst baggage fees. EditPacking Light to Avoid Fees - Pack only carry on luggage. Most airlines allow you to bring one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item (such as a purse or backpack) free of charge. If you can fit everything you need into this luggage then you can avoid baggage fees entirely.[1]
- Some budget airlines charge even for carry-on luggage, so check with yours ahead of time to be sure.
- Your carry on baggage may sometimes be checked (for free) at your gate before departure if the plane is expected to be very full.
- Make sure your luggage is within the size limits. Carry-on luggage must fit into the overhead compartment on a plane, and a personal item must fit under the seat in front of your. Check your airline's website before you depart for its specific size regulations.[2]
- Most airlines have a receptacle at the check-in counter or gate that you can slide your carry-on luggage into to verify that it is within the size limits.
- Keep in mind that your airline may technically have a weight limit for carry-on luggage, though crews rarely take the time to weigh carry on luggage.
- In the worst-case scenario, when your carry on is weighed and found to be over the limit, you may be asked to check it.
- Reduce the amount of luggage you carry. Most people tend to significantly overpack.Carrying as little as possible is the best way to avoid or reduce baggage fees. If you can reduce two checked bags to one, or a checked bag to a carry-on, you'll see instant savings.[3]
- Minimize the number of things you take. For instance, you might think you need to bring five pairs of shoes on vacation, but three will probably do it.
- Favor a few versatile items over lots of one-use pieces. For instance, if you're going on a beach vacation, carry a long white button-down shirt: you can wear it with pants, and it can double as a swimsuit cover.
- Pack tightly as well as lightly. Balling all of your clothes up and throwing them in your luggage will waste precious space. Instead, roll your clothes up tightly and neatly place them in your luggage. You'll be able to fit much more in your luggage, and reduce the number of pieces you carry--and the fees you'll be subject to. There are other ways of squeezing more in. For instance:[4]
- Vacuum pack your clothing in compression bags. All you have to do is hook a vacuum cleaner up to an opening on these bags, and it will remove all of the excess air so that your items take up less space.
- Tuck small items within other items. For instance, roll up socks or a belt and place them inside your shoes.
- Wear as much as you can rather than packing it. This is another way to reduce the amount you have to carry in your luggage, thereby lowering potential baggage fees. There are a number of creative ways to do this. For instance:[5]
- Wear layers on the plane to reduce what you have to put in your luggage.
- Wear your bulkiest items, like a large coat, rather than putting them in your luggage. You can always take it off once you're in your airplane seat.
- Use your pockets to hold small things rather than putting them in your luggage. You can even fold small clothing items and place them in large pockets of a jacket or cargo pants.
- Use the largest allowable personal item. Almost all airlines allow you to carry a personal item for free. This is usually expected to be something like a purse or laptop bag, but a backpack or small duffel will also usually slip by with no problem. Pack as much as you can into this item.[6]
- Put heavy items in your carry-on luggage if you are checking a bag. Personal items and carry on bags are usually not weighed (unlike checked bags). Put your heaviest items in carry-on luggage to make it less likely that your checked bag be subject to an overweight baggage fee.[7]
- Weigh your bags at home. No one wants to make it all the way to the check-in counter before realizing that their bag is overweight and subject to an overweight baggage fee. Do yourself a favor and use a digital scale to weigh your baggage before you depart. If it's over your airline's limit, take something out to avoid the fee.[8]
- If you are travelling with multiple people, you can distribute items among all the luggage to make sure that each person's bag is under the weight limit.
- Ask which items you can pack for free. Though it's not always announced, most airlines do not make passengers pay to pack items like strollers, child car seats, and necessary medical equipment. Before you try to stuff items like these into a checked bag and subject yourself to a fee, ask your airline if they can fly free.[9]
- Transfer large amounts of liquids to travel size bottles. Liquids can usually only be carried on board a plane in small amounts, such as 3 ounces or less. If you're carrying larger amounts of a liquid, you will have to check your bag. You can bypass this regulation, however, by repackaging the liquid in smaller bottles. That way, you can avoid the checked bag fee.[10]
- For instance, if you are carrying a nine-ounce container of shampoo, transfer it to three three-ounce bottles instead, and place them in your carry-on luggage.
- Remember that things for infants (milk, formula or food) and necessary medications are usually not subject to the liquid amount limits.
EditChoosing Your Airline Wisely - Choose an airline that does not charge fees for a checked bag. While most airlines use baggage fees for checked bags as a revenue stream, a few allow passengers to check a bag for free. As of early 2017, carriers such as Southwest and JetBlue offer this option.[11]
- Get elite status with your favorite airline. If you earn special status with an airline based on frequent flyer miles or other arrangements, this often comes with discounts on or elimination of baggage fees. While always flying with the same airline may not mean you have the cheapest ticket each time, you may save money on baggage fees this way in the long run if you frequently travel with lots of luggage.[12]
- Contact your preferred airline for information on how to earn elite status.
- Check with your airline to see if you qualify for exceptions. Many airlines offer incentives or exceptions for special passengers or classes of flights. These can include the elimination of baggage fees. For instance, some airlines offer a free checked bag on international flights, and many allow members of the military to check bags without paying a fee.[13]
- Check with a customer service agent of your preferred airline to see if you qualify for an exception like this.
- Sign up for an airline credit card with free baggage perks. Airline credit cards often offer free checked bags as an incentive. If you fly frequently and don't mind signing up for a card, this can be an option for you.[14]
- Typically, you have to use this card to purchase your tickets in order to have your baggage fees waived.
- Airline credit cards sometimes have special restrictions and high annual fees, so read the fine print before signing up. The card will only be worth it if you save money in the long run by avoiding more in baggage fees than you pay for card fees.
- Fly first class. Most of the time, first class tickets are automatically bundled with a free checked bag. These tickets can be much more expensive than those for economy seats, but if you just want to avoid the trouble of paying separate baggage fees, you can spring for first class.
EditReducing Your Baggage Fees - Spread fees around if you are traveling with multiple passengers. Airlines often charge a fee for a first checked bag, and a higher fee for additional bags (such as $25 for the first bag, and $35 for each additional one). If you are traveling with multiple people, make sure that each pays for their own bag, rather than one person paying for them all--the overall fees will be lower.
- For instance, for a group of four people traveling with four bags, it might cost $130 if one person checks and pays for all of the luggage, but only $100 if each person checks and pays for their own.
- Ask about ticket class upgrades. Many airlines will offer passengers the option to upgrade to first class or another tier at the last minute for an additional fee. This is usually only offered shortly before departure. While there is a fee for this upgrade, you may decide the comfort and convenience of not having to pay separate baggage fees is worth it. In certain instances, it may even be more affordable than paying baggage fees.[15]
- For instance, if you are offered an upgrade to first class on Delta for $90, you will be allowed to check up to three bags without an additional fee.
- If you were traveling with a group of three, each person checking a bag, your baggage fees might total $95. If one of your group springs for the first-class upgrade and checks all of your bags, you will save a little money.
- Use your charm to reduce baggage fees. Sometimes, the decisions about baggage fees are up to agents at the check-in. This means that if you are extra polite, you might be able to avoid fees.
- For instance, if you have a bag that is slightly over the weight limit, you would ordinarily be subject to an overweight baggage fee.
- However, if you tell the agent that your bag is only over the weight limit because you had to put a gift for your adorable 3-year old niece in it, you just might get out of paying the fee.
- Research baggage fees and regulations for the airline you are flying with before you depart. Plan ahead to avoid fees before you depart, rather than scrambling to reduce your luggage at the airport or being forced to pay.[16]
- Baggage fees can vary widely from airline to airline. In particular, normal standards for airlines of one country can be quite different than those for airlines from another.
- Airline policies are constantly changing, so always check for the most up-to-date information on baggage fees before your departure.
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