suitcase

IF you’re an over-packer who constantly battles to zip your suitcase shut, this Amazon find is a game-changer.

Shoppers are rushing to buy these compression packing cubes that do far more than just organise your holiday outfits – they actively squeeze your clothes down into compact bundles, too.

While regular packing cubes can save you around 15% luggage space, compression cubes can save you up to 50% – effectively giving you another half a suitcase to fill.

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

The cubes are slashed to nearly half-price on Amazon, where you can snap them up for just £19.99 – 33% down from the usual £29.99.

These compression cubes come in handy for all sorts of holidays, whether you’re heading off backpacking or want to pack as many Ibiza party outfits as possible.

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They even have a waterproof compartment to separate any dry and damp clothes from after your travels.

One pleased shopper said “These travel compression packing cubes were a game changer when I was travelling around Thailand with just a backpack.

“The sizes are really well thought out, making it easy to separate clothes, keep everything organised, and maximise space”.

Another shopper said “Really good packing cubes for the price I paid.

“Makes packing much easier and more organised. I wish I had bought them years ago!”

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

These packing cubes have rip-resistant double stitching and zip smoothly, even when you’ve stuffed them full.

Plus you’re even doing your bit for the environment by picking these cubes, as they’re made from recycled plastic bottles.

The compression packing cubes come in six different colours: grey, beige, blue, black, green and red.

As well as condensing down your clothing into tightly-packed bundles, packing cubes can be a great organising tool.

You can pick an item to bundle into each section – t-shirts, trousers, dresses, socks, toiletries – then pick a cube to pop each of them into.

That way when you need to grab something on holiday, you won’t be rummaging around in your suitcase – you’ll know exactly where to find it.

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

Prices correct at time of publication.

It can be frustrating waiting for your suitcase to appear but one strategy could help you get your bags off the baggage carousel first

Airport security checks and baggage restrictions can turn holidays into a source of stress, and the anxiety only intensifies as you wait to see whether your suitcase has actually made it off the plane.

The dread of lost luggage hangs over many travellers right up until the moment they spot their bag on the carousel — and even then, there’s the worry that someone else might accidentally grab it. But there’s a straightforward trick that could see your suitcase come off the plane first, allowing you to get your holiday underway without unnecessary delays.

Guidance from Escape.com suggests checking in for your flight as late as you possibly can. The logic? Late check-ins mean your luggage gets loaded last, and in theory, should emerge first upon landing, according to Thomas Lo Sciuto, a ramp worker and gate agent at a regional US airport.

The airport worker explained: “Your best option is to be one of the last passengers to check your bags. This is because bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts.”

That said, bags aren’t solely loaded according to check-in times. Anyone who can’t stomach the idea of leaving check-in until the eleventh hour will be relieved to hear that weight is also a factor in certain circumstances, reports the Express.

SmarterTravel told HuffPost that US aviation giant Delta, which flies out of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), sorts luggage into large and small loads to ensure proper weight distribution across the aircraft. As passengers check in their luggage, it gets sorted into “cans” – large containers that hold multiple bags and can be transported as one unit.

SmarterTravel said: “In other words, how far back your bag ends up depends on the weight of the can and the needs of the plane, not when you check it.”

Aircraft with a single aisle typically “loose-load” bags one by one rather than bundling them into cans, as is the case with wider-bodied planes. When this happens, checked bags generally go into a holding area.

Luggage gets transported to the aircraft and loaded shortly before departure, meaning its chances of being loaded first hinge on when it was checked in.

If a bag was checked in early, it could end up at the rear of the storage space, meaning it would be last onto the plane and potentially first off.

Other tactics to ensure your bags come off the carousel first upon landing include marking them as “fragile”.

News.com.au suggests this clever trick often results in your luggage being loaded onto the aircraft last and therefore unloaded first, which can significantly reduce your wait at the carousel.

That said, when opting for “fragile” stickers, travellers ought to strip off any old tags from their bags to prevent mix-ups. To make luggage stand out, opting for vibrant colours, customised tags, or securely fastened ribbons could help your bags catch your eye more easily.

The most reliable way to get out of the airport as swiftly as possible is to travel with hand luggage alone. Make certain this meets your specific airline’s requirements to avoid being forced to check your cabin bag at the gate.

A personal item, sometimes referred to as a small bag, needs to fit beneath the seat directly in front of you and typically measures no larger than 40x30x20cm.

Cabin bags are stowed in the overhead locker and can generally weigh up to 10kg, with dimensions not exceeding 56x45x25cm.

Among UK carriers, British Airways typically provides the most generous complimentary hand luggage allowance on its basic tickets.

Travellers can bring one 23kg cabin bag (56x45x25cm) and one smaller personal item (up to 40x30x15cm) without charge.

Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic similarly permit a complimentary cabin bag (10kg, 56x45x25cm) alongside a personal item.

According to pest control, people should routinely check their luggage for warning signs

Many people will be heading home today after a bank holiday weekend getaway. While travellers often take great care when packing, it’s quite common to spend far less time unpacking – simply tipping the contents of your suitcase straight into the wash.

Throwing your clothes in the washing machine as soon as you arrive home is a sensible idea. However, there is another crucial step everyone is urged to take when emptying their luggage. Holidaymakers are advised to check their suitcases carefully for signs of any unwelcome guests, such as bed bugs.

The advice comes from James Rhoades, the founder of ThermoPest, a pest control firm specialising in bed bug treatment and registered with the British Pest Control Association. James says frequent travellers should check their suitcase as part of their routine whenever they return from a holiday.

The tip could help to prevent issues year-round, but it could be especially helpful for travellers to get into the habit now, ahead of the summer holidays. He explained: “During hot weather, bed bugs become more active and need to feed more frequently.

“They get all their hydration from blood, so a warm, humid summer gives them the perfect opportunity to bite. With people wearing lighter sleepwear or using thinner sheets, there’s less of a barrier between the bugs and their food source – us.

“There’s also typically a rise in cases after holiday periods, as bed bugs can easily be brought back hidden in suitcases or laundry. Once inside, they spread quickly, so early detection and prevention are key.”

Fortunately, there are steps people can take to minimise the risk when they arrive at their holiday and when they return home. “Hotels, guest houses, and short-term rentals can become hotspots for bed bugs during peak travel periods. Before unpacking, check the seams of the mattress, headboard, and upholstered furniture for telltale signs such as tiny rust-coloured spots or shed skins.

“Keep luggage elevated on racks rather than placing it directly on the floor to reduce the chance of bed bugs crawling into your belongings. You could also store clothes in sealed bags inside your suitcase for added protection and to make it harder for bugs to hitch a ride home,” says James.

When it is time to return home, it’s recommended that you unpack your clothes straight into the machine and carefully inspect your suitcase. James claims: “Returning home is one of the most common times for bed bugs to be introduced into your living space. As soon as you arrive back, unpack directly into the washing machine and wash everything on a hot cycle.

“Visually inspect your suitcase inside and out, paying close attention to pockets, seams, and linings for any signs of bed bugs such as dark spots, shed skins, or live insects. If you travel frequently, making this a routine step can help you spot potential issues early before they spread.”

Chris Harrington, managing director at travel transfer company hoppa, has outlined what to do to give yourself the best chance at recovering your valuables, or, at least, getting some compensation for the loss

One of the most common travel nightmare scenarios tourists face is having their luggage go missing after a flight.

Mishandling checked-in bags costs airlines around £4.2 billion a year, according to aviation technology company SITA. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who ends up not finding your suitcase on the conveyor belt, here are the seven steps to take immediately, according to an expert.

Chris Harrington, managing director at travel transfer company hoppa, has outlined what to do to give yourself the best chance at recovering your valuables, or, at least, getting some compensation for the loss.

The most important thing, he says, is to act fast. He says: “Ultimately, the faster and more informed your response is, the better your chances of recovering your bag or at least getting clear updates on where it is.”

Chris advises heading straight to the airline’s service desk near baggage reclaim if you notice a missing bag – stressing that delays can reduce the chances of locating your bag quickly.

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From then on, it’s important to have your baggage tag and flight details ready, as they will help staff begin tracking your suitcase straight away.

You should also be as specific as you can when describing the missing item. “Details matter. Think about the colour, size, brand, and any distinguishing features like stickers or tags. Even better, show photos if you have them,” Chris continued.

And once your case is all documented and reported, never forget to ask for a Property Irregularity Report, or PIR number, as it is “essential for tracking your luggage and for any future claims.”

In the meantime, most airlines try not to leave customers empty-handed. “Some carriers will provide an allowance for essentials like clothes and toiletries,” Chris notes. “If they don’t, keep every receipt, as you may be able to claim those costs back later.”

Another essential step is to contact insurance companies early on, since many policies include cover for delayed luggage after 12 to 24 hours, but the expert recommends being prepared and checking exactly what evidence they require. If, after several days, nothing is found, it’s crucial not to give up.

“You should be following up regularly,” Harrington advises, adding that “after 21 days, luggage is officially considered lost under international guidelines.”

Thats the stage in which travellers are encouraged to put forward a formal claim – according to the Montreal Convention, which sets out airline liability in such cases.

Chris highlights that passengers may then be entitled to compensation of up to around £1,300 if they provide the right documentation.

To claim that sum, “you’ll need proof of your luggage and what was inside it. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim.”

Travel fans swear by the ‘game-changing’ packing method that prevents creases and saves space in your suitcase

A traveller has shared a “game-changing” packing hack that prevents clothes from getting creased in your suitcase. The popular method was demonstrated in a TikTok video posted by womenswear brand Sophie Cameron Davies.

Taking to social media, @Sophiecamerondavies explained why dedicating a little extra time to packing your suitcase can save considerable hassle during your trip. The caption said: “If your suitcase is full of floaty dresses, silk pieces or anything remotely crease-prone, try this. No more steaming out wrinkles for half your holiday.

“It’s simple, space-saving, and actually works. Save this one – your future self will thank you.” As shown in the clip, the method sees holidaymakers fold their garments as few times as possible, ensuring they stay flat within the suitcase.

Sophie said: “Lay your clothes completely flat, don’t roll or overfold. Fill the full width of your suitcase right into the corners, and fold only once or twice max to avoid deep creases.

“Then just lay each piece on top of the other like a stack. It keeps everything smooth and compact, so simple but game-changing.” The video racked up thousands of likes.

It also prompted commenters to share their preferred methods, and it seems many are devoted to Sophie’s approach. One fan of the idea wrote: “I have packed like this for years and it’s honestly a game changer! Less folds = more space.”

A second fan replied: “I’ve been doing this more recently!” A third viewer wrote: “I always pack like this – never have to iron.” Adding to the praise, someone mentioned: “I’ve always done this and left them on hangers too. So once I arrive, hang straight up.”

There was more feedback. A social media user wrote: “I do this too ….makes unpacking at hotel sooooo much easier.” Others shared their own methods, with a viewer writing: “I use the other side for clothes as it’s flat and the side you have put the clothes in I use for toiletries and shoes, swimwear etc .. it works no creases.”

Another response added: “I do this but I lay each piece flat hanging from the sides. Lay items on top then flip the sides inwards and secure it.”

Not everyone was so convinced, though. A commenter wrote: “Then when you stand the case up everything will fall down,” someone defended the method but highlighted a different criticism, saying: “No, it doesn’t. I’ve packed like this – just a pain looking for things when arriving at destination.”

B&M is selling the XL set ‘perfect for suitcases, backpacks, and carry-on luggage’

B&M shoppers can save space in their cabin baggage and suitcases with a £6 set. Known for selling budget-friendly accessories, the retailer is stocking the travel items ahead of the summer holidays. The bargain chain is selling a new pack of XL packing cubes in stores now.

For shoppers interested in the Beach Club XL Packing Cubes, the four-piece set could help to ‘simplify packing’. There are also three colours available, so families looking to streamline their luggage can each choose their own set to separate their outfits.

The product description says: “Simplify packing for your next trip with our space-saving Beach Club XL Packing Cubes. Great for organising and separating outfits and accessories. Perfect for suitcases, backpacks, and carry-on luggage.”

B&M is stocking a selection of travel accessories ahead of the summer holidays. For shoppers looking for more packing cubes, there’s also a pack of six Travel Packing Cubes for £5. The description explains: “This set includes six packing cubes in various sizes, great for separating outfits and accessories with ease, and for maximising your storage space.”

The retailer also sells small accessories such as travel pillows, suitcase locks, and adapter sets. Meanwhile, shoppers looking for luggage items, including cabin bags and suitcases, could be in luck.

B&M’s current selection includes a £15 Excel Foldable Cabin Case and a £55 Havana Suitcase. The product description for the cabin case says: “Designed for your next getaway, this stylish Foldable Cabin Case is built to make travelling a breeze. Features an adjustable handle and plenty of space for your trip away, whether for work or leisure.”

For holidaymakers looking for more options, there are several budget-friendly retailers such as Home Bargains and Dunelm selling travel accessories. For instance, Dunelm sells £12 Sophie Robinson Packing Cubes.

Dunelm says: “These colourful cubes are the perfect way to sort and store your essentials, making packing and unpacking a breeze. With vibrant prints that add a dash of fun, they’re the ideal match for the coordinating luggage from this collection (sold separately).”

The set is popular with reviewers, with 4.8 out of five stars online. One happy shopper said: “I love the patterns, they are really pretty and make me smile. Much easier to spot which one you need. I spent ages looking for some which didn’t cost too much but were good quality.”

Another fan wrote: “Really nice quality and love the colours – makes a difference to other more boring cubes on the market. Took them on holiday and had no issues, zips worked well and I fit lots of clothes inside.”

Someone else replied: “These colourful packing cubes are delightful. Fit beautifully in my case, smooth zip and easy to wash.”

Your choice of suitcase can impact just how well baggage handlers are able to board and unboard it

When travelling, you may think picking a suitcase is a pretty simple task, but one baggage handler has suggested that you may want to think again. Taking to Reddit, a baggage handler named Adam answered some questions about the job.

One curious internet user asked: “What’s the best / worst luggage to buy?” To which Adam was quick to reply: “Some of the worst bags to buy are the ones which have no wheels.

“In my airline, none of our holds are bin loaded, so we have to manually stack the bags inside each hold, and they can get fairly long.”

He continued: “If your bag has at least two high quality wheels, then it allows us to roll them down the hold quickly, making it easier for us. Otherwise, we have to throw the bags in order to keep to the scheduled times.

“My absolute least favourite bags are the ones that have four wheels, but one of them is seized up, so we try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving six inches.”

Following on from this, a former baggage handler replied: “I used to handle bags. The multiple zipper expanding tubes with four tiny wheels on the bottom are garbage.

“Square ones also suck. Both mess up the stack pattern and forced me to adjust. I had always wished on airlines issuing standard bags for use. If all bags were the same, it would be a dream. Don’t get slick hard sided. They slide off or these slide off out of place.”

Similarly, flight attendant Megan Homme, who works for an American airline and shares clips on TikTok under the handle @meganhomme, previously shared some tips for picking out the right suitcase before jetting off.

Megan highlighted that one initial consideration should be your suitcase’s construction material. Whilst soft-shell cases might be simpler to handle, they can create difficulties if another passenger’s luggage spills or splits open in the cargo area.

She also suggested opting for a dark coloured case to reduce the likelihood of visible damage when it reappears from the hold.

“If your bag is going under the plane, it is going to be scuffed up very quickly. I learned that the hard way.”