5 Tips to Avoid Frontier Baggage Fees

It's a holiday tradition seemingly as old as St. Nick itself: lured by visions of rock-bottom prices, we book a flight on Frontier Airlines to see family, only to realize that the exorbitant fees of Baggage from the Denver-based carrier turned our deal into a mess.

But there's a loophole: Frontier gives each passenger one free carry-on bag: a single 14 x 18 x 8-inch bag. The problem is how to fit everything you need for a weekend into a postage stamp-sized container. That's why we asked Stéphanie Sikora, professional organizer and owner of Sikora Solutions in Denverfor tips on how to outsmart Frontier.

5 Tips to Avoid Frontier Baggage Fees

1. Roll your clothes.

Sikora placed five different outfits in this case: two casual sets, two for going out, and one workout set – simply rolling around rather than folding the clothes. However, if you want more space, Sikora recommends investing in compression cubes: plastic cases that you can squeeze air into, the results of which are not unlike a vacuum-sealed steak.

2. Pack clothes in the same color palette.

Sikora packed three shirts, pajamas, two black pants (both high-end sports pants), and a sports jacket. However, their colors are just as important as their functions: they share the same palette, which means they are interchangeable to suit any occasion. Staying home for family game night? Black t-shirt and pants. Are you going to a Christmas party? Add a blazer and statement jewelry and you're ready for a mistletoe meets cute.

3. Get a flat makeup bag.

The bulky travel bag needed to carry your toiletries (read: makeup, lotions, etc.) will have to be sacrificed in favor of a small, flat clutch-style handbag that will serve as both an accessory and a pencil case toilet. Choosing what to leave behind isn't that difficult. Just think about what your host, whether a hotel or a relative, can provide, like shampoo or a hair dryer, then visit the travel size section of your local King Soopers to refill the rest.

4. Bring only two pairs of shoes.

Organization experts like boundaries: If you can't fit a book on your shelf, drop it. A limited amount of space creates boundaries that ensure clutter doesn't overwhelm your life. On this trip, your shoe quota is two pairs. You need a tennis shoe that is versatile enough for physical activity and still pairs well with casual outfits; you will wear them on the plane. The other is a sleeker variety (think: loafers or flats) that can fit into your bag.

5. Wear your coat on the plane.

The key to ultralight travel? Wear your heavier gear, like jeans, a blazer, and the down jacket you'll need to survive in the Midwest, on the plane to save valuable cargo space.

Learn more: Think Frontier Airlines can't get any worse? Think again