There are things you simply should not pack in your checked bags, just as there are things you should not place in your carry-on. That said, here’s a list of items not to put in your checked bag:
1. Medicine
Your medicines should always be in your carry-on. Checked luggage could get lost, your flight could get delayed – a lot of things can go wrong so to be safe, place it in your purse.
2. Jewelry
If possible, just leave your expensive jewelry at home. If you have to bring them on your trip, then don’t place them in your checked bag or even in your purse / carry-on. Wear them instead.
The chances of these items getting lost or stolen when worn is much slimmer than if you pack them in your bag.
3. Any Other Valuable Items
Airlines only cover a maximum of $3,300 per passenger for lost or damage items. The best thing to do is leave expensive items at home. But valuable things you have to bring like your camera or laptop should be in your carry-on.
Even your travel documents and similar items should not be placed in your checked bag. Irreplaceable items like your wedding ring or a family heirloom should be placed in your carry-on as well.
4. Credit Cards or Cash
We don’t know who might go through your checked bags. No matter which airline you pick – Spirt Airlines or Frontier Air, bags get randomly selected for hand inspection as well. So be sure to keep cards and cash secure in your wallet.
5. Fragile Items
Checked luggage gets tossed around by baggage handlers. If you’re bringing items that can be easily broken, you’re better off hand-carrying them.
6. Chargers
You’ll likely be carrying your electronic devices in your carry-on. But don’t forget to bring your chargers too. You might need to charge your phone or laptop while at the airport so having them at easy reach is a good idea.
Bring a portable or compact charger so that you won’t have to be lugging around heavy items.
7. Anything Illegal or prohibited
If you want to know what the TSA allows and does not allow in both your carry-on and checked bags, this link has the list.
Take a good look at the list of prohibited items and obviously, don’t pack them! If there are items that are not classified on the website and you want to be sure that it’s ok to bring them, you can send a photo of the item to the TSA Facebook page.
I’d also like to add that while you should put most of your items in your checked bags (if you have a baggage allowance), it’s also a smart move to put a few items in your carry-on in case your luggage gets lost or delayed.
For example, you can bring travel size toiletry items in your purse or a change of clothes in your carry-on. That way, you’ll have something to wear in the event that your checked bag is delayed.