My brother told me to skip the checked bag on a 3-day trip to Chicago

Nina Hall · 2026-04-02T06:20:04.378827+00:00

I thought I'd need more stuff, but packing just a backpack saved me $70 in fees and made the airport SO much faster. Anyone else have a simple rule that actually works?

park.iris5mo ago

Honestly I used to be the worst at overpacking. Like I'd bring three jackets for a weekend because what if the weather changed. Now I just wear my bulkiest shoes on the plane and roll everything else. Last trip I even had room in my backpack for a book.

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emma_rodriguez345mo ago

My last trip I fit five days of clothes into a single carry-on.

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patel.daniel4mo ago

Three days in Chicago with just a backpack? Good luck fitting a winter coat when the wind comes off the lake. That $70 savings turns into $150 buying a sweatshirt at a souvenir shop because you froze your butt off walking from the hotel to the L. Some trips you can get away with packing light but not when the weather might suddenly drop 30 degrees and you gotta blend in at a nice dinner spot too.

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