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First you pay your airfare, then it's time for the extra fees. Every extra piece of baggage, animals, heavy stuff, dinner and movies could all cost you extra. Shonda Smith was used to stuffing tons of items into her luggage to accommodate her young family. "I have children, little children, that they require toys, you know, extra clothing, so that's why I have to pack more than usual," she explained. And sometimes, she admits it's a little too much, as with one recent trip where she faced a surcharge until she moved some clothes around. "I did have to take some items out and I had to take some baggage on the plane," she explained. That's right. Pack too much and you'll pay. Some baggage fees are pretty stiff-- $15 for your first bag, $25 for the second, and as much as $100 for the third. Those fees, by the way, are one-way. And they don't include the charges for oversized or overweight bags. Travel expert Greg Hobica suggests a cheaper option: send some stuff ahead. "They're going to charge you a lot less than the airlines are," he explained. Another tip is to put the suitcase on the scale before you even leave the house. And if it's particularly heavy, consider more bags. "It may be cheaper to have a second bag that's not overweight than one bag that is overweight, so divide and save," Hobica explained. Throw in an extra bag for souvenirs and gifts, or consider shipping them as well. And before you book your flight, check those fees to see which airline is really getting you the best deal. "Depending on your situation, the more expensive ticket may be the cheaper ticket…ironic, but it's true," Hobica cautioned. For example, a $100 ticket with two round trip baggage fees ends up more expensive than a 150 ticket with no baggage fees. Shonda says she'll definitely be doing the math before flying in the future. Fees vary, depending on the airline, so check the airline's Web site for specifics on what you'll be expected to pay. Midwest Airlines passengers are allowed one checked bag and one carry-on bag free of charge. A second bag costs 20 bucks each way. That cost goes up if the bag is overweight or oversized.