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As seen this morning on The Early Show (CBS) – Regina discusses the latest high-tech back to school supplies.

If you are traveling to your summer vacation destination by air, don't expect to find a lot of deals on fares. Most planes are expected to be operating at or near capacity and on top of that, most big carriers have also added $10 to $30 "peak travel" surcharges each way on nearly every day between June 10 and Aug. 22. However, there is one place where you can attempt to cut costs – or at least avoid getting gouged by the airlines – and that's by avoiding checked baggage fees. Because major airlines like United, Delta, US Airways and Continental are now charging fees to check bags, savvy travelers know packing light, packing smart and going with a "carry-on" is the only way to avoid costly check in fees.


If you're wondering why the airlines are charging these kinds of fees in the first place, it all comes down to math and margins. The airline industry is in survival mode. Air carriers are struggling to stay afloat in the face of daunting fuel costs and (with the exception of peak summer travel) plunging demand. In fact, in the last year, domestic carriers alone lost $11 billion.

Carry-on Rules for Major Airlines
To help with your air travel cost cutting plan of attack, it helps to know who's charging what and what the rules are. Nearly every commercial airline still allows one carry-on bag. According to Delta (and the same rules apply for nearly all commercial airlines), your carry-on bag may not exceed 45 linear inches in combined length, width, and height. Carry-on bags are defined as 1 purse, briefcase, camera bag, or diaper bag; or 1 laptop computer (computers cannot be checked and must be carried on); or 1 item of a similar or smaller size to those listed above.

Checked Bag Guidelines & Fees for Major Airlines
For travel within the United States the following guidelines and charges are virtually the same across the board for all major airlines. You can find a handy chart, breaking out all charges by specific airlines, here on AOL Travel.

Checked baggage must weigh 50 lbs. or less and its combined length, width and height must measure 62 inches or less (otherwise you will incur even more fees by way of an over-sized baggage charge). Your first checked bag is $25.00 at the airport kiosk, ticket counter or curbside. A second checked bag: $35.00. Though most airlines will knock a few dollars off checked baggage charges if you pay the fees upfront, online. Remember, these fees are one-way, so double them for a round trip.

If you plan to check 3 bags or more, charges start at $100.00 per bag additional, so that's when shipping your bags ahead via FedEx or UPS may begin to make sense. There are also luggage shipping services such as LuggageAhead to consider.

If you are traveling between the U.S. and Canada or Europe, your first checked back is free; your second checked bag is $55.00. Again, you can save a few dollars if you pay these fees online, before you arrive to the airport.

As for discount carriers like JetBlue and Southwest, they do offer you a break on baggage fees. JetBlue gives you the first checked bag for free, while Southwest charges nothing for your first TWO checked bags.

Bagging the Extra Fees
There are strategies you can employ to avoid the extra fees. Everything from shipping your stuff in advance, to buying it on-location – to packing smarter and of course lighter. And it pays to make doubly sure your carry-on bags are within the limits for dimensions. Some travelers are going as far as traveling with tape measures to prove their carry-on does comply.

As seen on The Early Show (CBS), we took a look at some of the latest products out there to help you with the "packing smarter" piece of the equation – making it more likely for you to travel with carry-on only luggage this summer (and beyond).

1. TSA Approved, Checkpoint- Friendly Laptop Bags (SkoobaDesign.com):



No need to remove your laptop from this bag that is TSA-approved and opens up like a butterfly for inspection. Variety of styles available from SkoobaDesign.com.

2. Samsonite Expandable Spinner (eBags.com):



Samsonite xSpace 21.5" Expandable Spinner carry-on. Available at eBags.com for $159.99 with free shipping included. Four multi-directional Spinner wheels allow 360° upright rolling so there is no weight bearing on your arm. Spinners can glide right alongside you, pivot to get around tight spaces, and roll like a traditional 2-wheel case. In other words, Spinners move the way you do.

3. Skyway Suitcase, light weight/low cost (eBags.com):



Click here: Skyway Ultra No-weight 21" Upright Carry-On - eBags.com, now on sale for $37.49 (Father's Day Special). A very popular, value-priced bag with good quality. Weights just 6 lbs., 13 ounces.


4. Colorful squishable duffels (LandsEnd.com):



Luggage - Duffel Bags at Lands' End; $49.50 for small, carry-on size. Easy-to-get-to pockets keep small items like your cell phone or boarding pass close at hand. Smooth-operating, self-repairing coiled zippers are all but burstproof.

5. Vacuum packer (BedBathandBeyond.com):



Space Bag Evolution 6-Piece Combo Set - Bed Bath & Beyond for $19.99. Get more in your carry-on bag. The Space Bag uses a turbo vacuum seal valve and double zipper to store your clothes nice and compact. It's guaranteed to be air- and water-tight, and the new turbo valve vacuums out air 35% faster than other Space Bags. Set contains three medium and three large Space Bags.

6. PDA and Phone Organizers and Wraps (SkoobaDesign.com):



Skooba Wraps: Price range, $13.00 - $18.00. Protect your Portables. Whether it's your phone, iPod, compact camera, or just about any other portable device, keep all your gadgets-and the stuff that goes with them-safe and organized inside your carry-on.

7. The Cable Stable (SkoobaDesign.com):



Cable Stable DLX Computer Cable Organizer, $39.95. The Cable Stable DLX is a highly efficient way to store and protect all the cords, adapters, batteries, and other accessories that travel with your portable electronics. Keeps everything organized and gets rid of the "snake pit" in your carry-on bag, suitcase, or backpack. Over 15 intelligently-organized, flexible spaces hold cords and cables, AC power blocks, adapters, batteries, USB drives, office supplies, even compact cameras and MP3 players.

Related: Click here: Avoiding Check In Fees - AOL Travel News

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