The Clever iPhone Hack That Will Help You Avoid Luggage Fees At The Airport

Most people who have recently traveled somewhere know that airlines have become increasingly strict and rigid about luggage size — with extra fees that can quickly turn any budget flight into a pretty expensive (and frustrating) journey. Although some airlines still offer free carry-on luggage, most major carriers nowadays charge anywhere from $35 to $60 for a checked bag. And, to make matters worse, if your carry-on or personal item exceeds the allowed dimensions once you're already at the airport, you could face even steeper last-minute charges — sometimes upwards of $90. Factor in the reality that many basic economy tickets today don't include a carry-on allowance at all, and it's enough to throw your travel plans through a loop.

Thankfully, there are several ways to avoid these pesky excess baggage costs, from learning how to successfully pack light for a trip to wearing your bulkiest items on the plane. All these strategies can help reduce your luggage needs dramatically. Along with that, frequent travelers also recommend efficient packing tricks like rolling clothes instead of folding, testing military-grade techniques to pack more into less space, and using lightweight, soft-sided bags (or even compression bags) since they often fit more easily into those metal measuring frames at the gate.

That said, out of all the packing tips out there, there's one more solution, and it uses a clever tool that's probably already sitting in your pocket: your iPhone's Measure app. A built-in measuring tool that can accurately measure and determine if your bags meet airline requirements before you leave home, this pre-installed app uses your phone's camera to measure objects in real time. Ultimately, this saves you from the embarrassment and expense of repacking at the check-in counter — or being forced to check a bag you'd initially planned to carry on.

Using the Measure app on your iPhone to check your luggage dimensions is surprisingly simple. First, make sure your bag is fully packed since adding any items later will probably alter its measurements –– especially if it's a soft-sided suitcase, which can expand and bend, thus possibly stretching beyond the measurement requirements. Then, open the Measure app (it comes pre-installed on iPhone 6 or later), and your camera will turn on. From there, start to move your phone around slightly to help it calibrate. You'll know it's ready when a circle with a dot appears in the center of your screen.

Once this is all done, you can position the dot at one corner of your luggage, then tap the "plus" sign button to mark your starting point. Continue moving your phone slowly to the opposite corner, following the edge of your bag, and tap the "plus" sign button again to complete the measurement. Once you've completed the process, the app will display the distance between these two points. For the most accurate results, make sure you're measuring your bags in a well-lit area and that your luggage is either standing or sitting against a contrasting background so that it can be clearly distinguished by its edges.

Keep in mind that you'll need to measure your luggage's height, width, and depth separately using this same process. The measurements will all start to appear onscreen, and you can tap the shutter button to capture a photo with the dimensions overlaid for easy access later on. Along with that, you'll also find a log of all the measurements you've taken in the app's list view (a symbol with three horizontal lines and dots next to them).

Nowadays, most airlines list their specific size requirements on their websites, which means it'll be easy to check these against your own suitcase's measurements before heading to the airport. Take a moment to look into your airline's baggage policy, and remember that size restrictions can easily vary between airlines. So, if you're traveling with multiple carriers, it's worth checking all of them separately.

Beyond just carry-on dimensions, pay attention to your personal item allowances, too. Although most travelers focus solely on their suitcase and forget that their backpack or purse must also comply with specific measurements, budget airlines tend to be incredibly strict about these — especially when baggage fees represent such a significant revenue stream.