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Carry-On vs. Checked Bag Optimizer

Compute whether checking a bag or flying carry-on is cheaper given your trips per year, typical fees, bag cost, and time value.

Trips per Year

Flight Legs per Trip

Checked-bag fee per leg ($)

Carry-on gate fee per leg ($)

Carry-on Bag Cost ($)

Carry-on Bag Useful Life (years)

Your Time Value ($/hour)

Baggage Claim Wait (hours per leg)

Limitations: Assumes YOU carry the bag. Partner / family incur separate fees. Overweight / oversize fees NOT modeled. First-checked-bag-free perks on premium credit cards not modeled.

What to do next: If time value is 0 (you don't mind waiting) and checked fees are $35/leg, checking a bag is often cheaper at high trip counts. Flip the opposite at 3+ trips/yr with $50+ fees.