But some savvy travelers have found new hacks to cut down on costs, and they're sharing these tips and tricks on TikTok.
TikTok user Larissa of @is.me.larry shared a video of herself on June 30 trying the "pillow airport hack." Larissa did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
@is.me.larry That’s how we saved nearly 80€ 🥹 #airport#hack#dyi#airporthack#travel#portugal#porto#girlstrip#pillow#holiday#inspo#travelbucketlist#traveltiktok#summer#traveltips#traveltiktok ♬ Mission Impossible (Main Theme) - Favorite Movie Songs
The clip, which has racked up 4.6 million views as of Thursday, shows Larissa and her friends walking through the airport, all holding pillows. Once Larissa gets to her destination, she opens the pillow to reveal dozens of clothing items tumbling out.
Larissa wrote in the caption that the hack helped her and her friends save €80, or around $81.20.
The video has received more than 2,000 comments, with many TikTok users saying they couldn't wait to try the pillow hack.
"Now everybody's going to be carrying pillows around the airport," one wrote.
Others, though, said they were worried about "getting caught." But Arina Bloom — who worked as a flight attendant for two years — told Insider the pillow hack is actually a great idea.
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"You are allowed to bring a pillow on a plane and, as long as there's nothing prohibited inside, it's totally OK," she said.
Pillows are permitted in both carry-on bags and checked bags, according to the TSA's website. But while you'll have no problem bringing a full-size pillow through security, it's up to the airline to decide if it counts as your personal item. According to Executive Flyers, American Airlines, United, and Delta all consider a pillow to be a personal item.
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Travel and packing expert Lydia Mansel, founder of Just Packed, told Insider she is also a fan of the hack.
"Packing clothes in a pillowcase can definitely be an effective way to keep your bag under the weight limit," she said. "No one wants to pay those extra fees, after all."
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Mansel said the hack might only be a hassle if you have to catch a connecting flight, which could leave you running through the airport with a heavy pillow.
If you don't want to lug around a huge pillow, you could put extra items in a travel pillow instead — which has become another popular TikTok travel hack.
@cheapholidayexpert If this works it’s gonna be a GAMECHANGER 🤯 #travelhack #budgettravel #cheaptravel ♬ Soulful Strut - The Fame Gang
And if you'd rather just leave all pillows at home, Mansel recommends packing your heavier items — like shoes and coats — in a carry-on bag so your checked luggage is much lighter. A handheld luggage scale can also help you avoid having to shuffle clothes around at the check-in desk.
"You'll be able to see exactly how much room you have left, or if you need to remove a few items, before heading to the airport," Mansel said.
