They say only one check-in weighing 44 lbs and one carryon. Does a purse or backpack count as a carryon? Are they definitive about just one suitcase/person and only 44 lbs? That's really not much at all allowed.

depends on the airline and how full the ship is...

the discount airlines are very strict...

i think it is only one carryon period, but not sure of that and again it may differ by airline..

do you mean china?? i am speaking for thailand

Yes, they generally are strict. You'll pay for any overage. 44 lbs is the standard worldwide (except for the US) for baggage allowance.

This was discussed a couple of months back on this thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34880757

A purse (not the giant ones Paris carries with the dog in it) and a smallish backpack doesn't count as extra carryon. If you want to shop, wait till the last city and buy an extra suitcase and fill it up to 50 lbs as the 2nd check-in.

rhkkmk,
I'm talking about China
thursdaysd,
Thanks for the thread. Will look into it.
Shanghainese-that is exactly what we are planning to do!! We planned the trip to end up in Shanghai since we thought that is where we will do most of the shopping. I was thinking of packing a collapsible bag, but buying one there is also a great option.

It's too bad they are strict about it. I pack kinda heavy, so I will have problems staying within the limits without any shopping.

Thanks!

44lb in a luggage is a lot, on the plane and off. Really. Buy lighter luggage and pack less.

When my parents and I went to Italy over Christmas for 9 days, I had a chance to weigh our stuff on an airport scale. My 21" rollaboard weighs under 12kg/26lb, packed with heavy maps and guidebooks. My mom's lightweight 21" weighs in under 10kg/22lb, my dad's even smaller one weighs in at around 8kg/18lb.

With 20kg/44lb, you can pack a lot of stuff in a 26", or a fully-packed 24". Unless you're doing business in China, needing lots of suits, there's no reason why you need that much stuff.

But anyways, you can always pay for excess.

rhkkmk,
I might have to buy new lighter luggage. Mine empty weigh a ton. Good suggestion. Just can't get anything too flimsy or it won't make the trip.

Aren't you going in June? You don't need heavy clothes. Instead of light-weight suitcases, get light-weight crunchable clothes. Except for shoes, what else is heavy?