Eric Glenn/Shutterstock
- Ultra-low-cost carriers charge for everything except an unassigned seat and a small personal item.
- Bag size and weight are strict, and paying for extra baggage at booking is cheaper than later.
- Trying TikTok hacks to bring more than allowed is risky, and airlines are cracking down.
Ultra-low-cost carriers, or ULCCs, were a saving grace in college when I had limited fun money. I didn't care about the barebones planes or stuffing everything into a personal item so long as I could travel cheaply.
My limited budget meant I was careful to follow the rules to a T, as I knew the add-on fees would pile up if I got to the airport unprepared.