Ready to head out to a Dharma property in Miami to enjoy Spring Break? Or perhaps you are staying at our Novia property in Hoboken for business? Regardless of the reason for your travel, you have to ensure your things get to the same place you do. 

In this article, we cover practical packing hacks to maximize space, organize essentials, and avoid last-minute chaos. You will also find simple luggage protection tips to keep your belongings safe from damage, loss, and weather changes, helping you travel with more ease and confidence.

Packing hacks

Decide what you really need:

According to Marie Kondo, creator of the KonMari Method, it’s best to lay everything out first and categorize items to see what it is you actually need. Do you really need seven pairs of shoes for a week-long trip? Maybe you do, but laying things out can help you decide. 

Utilize every inch of space:

After deciding what is essential to take with you, you need to start packing. You’ll want to pack your heaviest items, such as jeans, on the bottom, and your lightest garments on top to save on wrinkles. Put breakable items in the middle so your clothes protect them. If you bring a towel or sweater, you can use them to wrap that present for your auntie. Stuff smaller items like socks into your shoes. That way, you can leave some space for souvenirs!

Roll not fold:

‍Rolling not only saves space, it also saves wrinkles. Make sure to roll your clothes up tight and try not to bring clothes with material that wrinkles easily, so that you don’t have to worry about ironing. Love your linen suit too much to leave it at home? Don’t worry; if something does get wrinkled, we supply irons for you to fix them straight away.

Bag it:

Pack some plastic bags for your shoes and a laundry bag for your dirty clothes, so you can keep them separate from the clean items. (Although when you come to a Dharma property, there is a washer and dryer in the apartment, so you don’t have to go home with dirty laundry.)

Make inspections easier:

‍If you need to put your toiletries in your luggage instead of your carry-on, make sure you keep them separate and in a clear bag. If the TSA decides to search your bags, they will make less of a mess of your luggage. If you need a lock on your luggage, make sure it is a TSA approved lock, or they may break it open to inspect.

Protect your assets

Weigh your bags before you go

Make sure to weigh your bag before you check in your luggage to make sure you don’t pay a charge for going over the weight requirement. Airlines will charge an oversize fee that is much more expensive than checking a second bag. Check with your airline for their specifications, but most airlines have a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds per checked bag. The most common maximum size bag allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. A common size bag for checking through is: 27" x 21" x 14".

Let your luggage say cheese

Insure your luggage by taking a picture of all the contents. Airlines are required to compensate for lost luggage, but that is contingent upon proof of valuable items in your bag. You can receive compensation up to $3800 if you were on a domestic flight and $1700 for most international flights. If your luggage is delayed, but not yet declared “lost”, (it can take anywhere from 5-14 days for an airline to determine a bag has been lost) the airline is still required to compensate you for “reasonable and verifiable incidental expenses.”

Tag it

You should put two tags on every piece of checked luggage: one on the outside and one on the inside, in case the one on the outside gets damaged. This should help decrease the chances of the airline losing your luggage or another passenger walking off with your bag by mistake. Be sure to only put your name and cell phone number on the tag, not your address or other personal information.

With the right packing approach and a few simple protection steps, you can avoid common travel stress and focus on enjoying your trip. 

All packed up? Check out the great properties available at Dharma Home Suites today and keep following us for much helpful articles! Have fun!

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