I Mastered the Perfect Las Vegas Packing Hack: 4 Days with Just a Personal Item on Spirit Airlines

 


How I Packed for an Amazing 4-Day Las Vegas Trip with Just a Personal Item

I recently spent an incredible 4 days in Las Vegas, and believe it or not, I managed to pack everything into just a personal item. Was it easy? Well, let’s find out!


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Why Choose Spirit Airlines?

I know what you're thinking: If I had such an amazing time, why did I fly with Spirit Airlines? First and foremost, Spirit is the only airline offering direct flights from my preferred airport to most destinations. As we all know, direct flights are so much better than layovers.

Despite its reputation, Spirit Airlines has a lot to offer for budget travelers. They provide in-flight WiFi, a decent selection of food options, and did I mention they have direct flights and WiFi?

The Breakdown

Why did I choose to pack in a personal item only? Like most budget airlines, Spirit charges for various add-ons, including seats, checked and carry-on bags, and more. For my roundtrip flight to Las Vegas, the base fare with taxes was $422.67. The outbound flight included a layover in Dallas Fort Worth, and the return was direct. The total cost for seat selection was $121.00, making the grand total $543.67.

To avoid additional luggage fees, which would have added $70 each way for a carry-on, I decided to pack only a personal item. This saved me an extra $140, which I could spend enjoying my time in Las Vegas!

How I Packed for 4 Days in Las Vegas with Just a Personal Item

The idea of packing for 4 days in just a personal item sounded incredibly daunting to me. But with some creative thinking, planning, and a secret weapon, it was very doable.

Choosing the Right Bag

The first and most important step is to use a bag that fits the airline's personal item dimensions. For Spirit Airlines, that means 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

My Secret Weapon: The Underseat Pro


I found the Underseat Pro on Amazon, and it became my secret weapon. Its dimensions (17.5 x 14 x 8 inches) fit perfectly in Spirit Airlines’ sizers. This bag features a telescopic handle, two wheels, a handle, multiple inside pockets, a water bottle side pocket, and laptop storage. It also folds down easily to fit under a bed or in a closet when not in use. The laptop storage was crucial for me because I work a hybrid job (both in the office and remotely) and needed to work at the airport and on the plane.



Planning Your Outfits

The next step is to think about what you'll be doing during your stay and plan your outfits accordingly. Checking the weather is essential. Las Vegas is in a desert, but it can still surprise you. During my visit, it rained one day, and the temperature dropped to a high of 54°F. It was also very windy, adding to the chill factor.

I planned outfits for lots of sightseeing, walking, a show, a little bit of gambling, and a night out on the town. Versatile clothing that transitions from day to night and suits various temperatures was key.

What I Packed

I carefully packed five outfits:

  • Bottoms: 1 long skirt, 1 pair of shorts.
  • Tops: 2 shirts.
  • Dresses: 2 dresses.
  • Shoes: 1 pair of sandals.

Airport Outfit Strategy

Comfortable Sneakers: I purposefully wore a comfortable pair of sneakers on the plane that matched all my planned outfits and were ideal for walking around all day. Wearing them on the plane also saved space in my bag.

Casual Blazer: I wore a casual blazer that doubled as my jacket for the colder weather. It was perfect for the fluctuating temperatures and added a layer of style. 

Packing Undergarments and Sleepwear

After picking my clothing, I thought about undergarments and socks. I like to sleep in comfy socks at night (is that weird?). Typically, I pack lots of socks and underwear, but I realized I could reuse some socks for sleeping and didn't need 10 pairs of underwear for a 4-day trip.

I packed:

  • 2 sleeping outfits (one would have been sufficient)
  • 4 pairs of socks
  • 6 pairs of underwear
  • 1 satin pillowcase

Packing Toiletries

Because I packed only a personal item, all liquids needed to be 3.4 oz or under. I used a small toiletry bag designed for travel-sized items and packed:

  • Travel-sized deodorant (0.5 oz) – even though regular deodorant is usually under 3.4 oz, I opted for an even smaller one to save space.
  • Daily Skin Therapy Lotion (1.7 fl. oz) – I live in a humid climate and Las Vegas is dry, so I need extra moisture
  • Mouthwash – I transferred my regular mouthwash into a 3 oz generic bottle.
  • Toothpaste (1.75 oz)
  • Face Moisturizer (0.5 fl. oz)


I also packed makeup and makeup wipes in a separate bag and my contact lenses in another. Did you know TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids? I have keratoconus, which requires hard contact lenses and extra liquids, so fortunately, this does not add to my liquid allowance.

Packing Additional Items

By now, you'll have enough room for other important items. I also packed:

How I Packed It All

How did I pack all those items inside one personal item? I used two of my trusty compression packing cubes for my clothes on one side of my Underseat Pro. My sandals were flat enough to pack between the slots of the handle under the packing cubes. Then, I carefully placed all the other items on the other side of the bag, like a fun game of Tetris. The Underseat Pro has convenient side pockets where I was able to pack cash, wet wipes, and portable batteries.



Final Thoughts

Packing light not only saved me money on luggage fees but also made my travel experience smoother and more enjoyable. If you're traveling with budget airlines like Spirit, consider challenging yourself to pack light—you might be surprised at how much you can fit into a personal item!




Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA

Comments

  1. Andrea BMay 30, 2024 at 11:02 PM

    I will have to get this bag!! This is such helpful advise. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

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