It’s a holiday tradition seemingly as old as St. Nick himself: Lured by visions of low, low prices, we book a flight on Frontier Airlines to see family, only to realize that the Denver-based carrier’s exorbitant bag fees have turned our bargain into a boondoggle.

But there is a loophole: Frontier allows each passenger a free personal item—a single 14-by-18-by-eight-inch bag. The trouble is figuring out how to jam everything you need for a weekend away into a postage-stamp-size receptacle, which is why we asked Stephanie Sikora, a professional organizer and the owner of Sikora Solutions in Denver, for tips on outfoxing Frontier.

5280 December 2024
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5 Tips for Avoiding Frontier’s Bag Fees

1. Roll your clothes.

Sikora fit five different outfits into this case—two casual ensembles, two for going out, and one workout set—simply by rolling, rather than folding, the clothes. However, if you want more space, Sikora recommends investing in compression cubes: plastic cases that you can press the air from, the results of which are not unlike a vacuum-sealed steak.

2. Pack clothes in the same color palette.

Sikora packed three shirts, a set of pajamas, two pairs of black pants (both upscale athleisure), and an athletic jacket. Just as important as their functions, though, are their colors—they share the same palette, which means they’re interchangeable to fit any occasion. Staying home for family game night? T-shirt and black pants. Heading to a holiday party? Add a blazer and a piece of statement jewelry and you’re ready for a mistletoe meet-cute.

3. Get a flat cosmetics bag.

The voluminous duffel required to transport your toiletries (read: makeup, lotions, etc.) will have to be sacrificed in favor of a small, flat clutch-style purse that will serve double duty as an accessory and a toiletry bag. Choosing what to leave behind isn’t that difficult. Just think about what your host, whether a hotel or a relative, can provide, like shampoo or a hair dryer, and then visit the travel-size section of your local King Soopers to fill in the rest.

4. Bring only two pairs of shoes.

Organization experts love limits: If you can’t fit a book on your shelf, ditch it. A finite amount of space creates boundaries that ensure clutter doesn’t overwhelm your life. On this trip, your shoe quota is two pairs. One should be a tennis shoe that is versatile enough for physical activity and still looks good with casual outfits; you’ll wear these on the plane. The other is a sleeker variety (think: loafers or flats) that can slide into your bag.

5. Wear your coat on the plane.

The key to traveling ultralight? Wear your heavier gear—such as denim, a blazer, and the puffer jacket you’ll need to survive in the Midwest—on the plane to save precious cargo space.

Read More: Think Frontier Airlines Can’t Get Any Worse? Think Again