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Glossary
Travel Gear terms, explained
Short, plain definitions of the words you'll see on product pages and spec sheets. Each one links to a guide when there's more to know.
3
- 3-1-1 rule
- TSA's carry-on liquids rule: containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, in one quart-size bag, one bag per passenger. Read the guide →
B
- Ballistic nylon
- A thick, abrasion-resistant woven fabric used on durable softside luggage.
- Basic economy
- The cheapest fare class, often with no carry-on, seat choice or changes included.
C
- Carry-on
- A bag that goes in the overhead bin. In the US, 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles fits most major airlines. Read the guide →
- Compression cube
- A packing cube with a second zipper that squeezes contents down to save space. Read the guide →
D
- Dual voltage
- A device rated 100 to 240 V that works worldwide with only a plug adapter. Read the guide →
E
- eSIM
- A digital SIM you install by QR code or app, letting you buy local or regional data without a physical card. Read the guide →
F
- Free cancellation
- A booking that can be canceled for a full refund until a stated time before the start. Read the guide →
L
- Layover
- A stop between flights on the same trip, usually of a few hours.
- Linear inches
- Length plus width plus height of a bag. Many airlines cap checked bags at 62 linear inches (158 cm). Read the guide →
- Luggage tracker
- A small Bluetooth tag, such as an AirTag, that shows a bag's location through nearby phones. Read the guide →
P
- Packing cube
- A zippered fabric box that organizes clothes inside a bag. Read the guide →
- Personal item
- A small bag that fits under the seat in front of you, allowed in addition to a carry-on on most fares. Read the guide →
- Plug adapter
- A device that changes a plug's shape to fit a foreign socket. It doesn't change voltage. Read the guide →
- Polycarbonate
- A light, impact-resistant plastic used for most quality hardside luggage. Read the guide →
R
- Roaming
- Using your home carrier's service abroad, often at extra cost. Read the guide →
S
- Skip-the-line
- A reserved entry time or separate entrance that avoids the ticket queue. Security lines may still apply. Read the guide →
- Small-group tour
- A guided tour with a capped group size, often under 15 people. Read the guide →
- Spinner
- A suitcase with four multi-directional wheels that rolls upright beside you. Read the guide →
T
- TSA-accepted lock
- A luggage lock that US security staff can open with a master key without cutting it.
V
- Voltage converter
- A device that changes voltage for single-voltage appliances such as some hair dryers. Read the guide →
W
- Watt-hour (Wh)
- A measure of battery energy. Power banks up to 100 Wh can fly in carry-on without airline approval. Read the guide →