TRAVEL TIP — CURAÇAO

Pack light if you’re traveling through Curaçao on American Airlines during the months of June, July, August, or December, when flights are routinely full. While normally passengers on American can check two 70# bags, carry another on, then pay anywhere from $35 to $90 for each excess bag, during June, July, August, and December, American does not allow excess baggage, even at an extra charge. If you’re caught unaware during these months, you may have few options. Though you can ship the excess via American’s cargo service, they won’t guarantee delivery times. Private courier services are pricey and equally dilatory.

Similar policies exist on American flights to other Caribbean destinations, so check before you book. Note that gargantuan bags and duffels are not an end run around baggage restrictions: American computes limits by adding bag length, width, and height. Checked bag dimensions must total less than 74", carryons less than 45.