Influencer travel hacks gone wrong Megan DeAngelis shares luggage shipping fail on TikTok

We’ve all been there: standing at check-in, doing quick mental math as that carry-on starts to feel a little too full for the overhead bin. Enter the trending world of travel hacks. From squeezing essentials into a pillowcase to full-on luggage shipping, influencers are rewriting the packing playbook—sometimes successfully, sometimes… not so much.

Case in point? TikTok’s Megan DeAngelis, who made headlines with her recent luggage shipping fail. Her idea? Skip airline baggage fees by sending her suitcase directly to her hotel via UPS. Genius in theory. But what followed was a travel stress story you’ll definitely want to learn from.

Megan assumed all systems were go—after all, the hotel confirmed on the phone that accepting a shipped suitcase was totally fine. But when she arrived, suitcase-less and ready for vacation vibes, the front desk had no record of a package. Why? Her room wasn’t booked under her actual name. No match, no suitcase. UPS had already rerouted it back. Cue: panic packing—and a video recount shared with Megan’s 1.2 million followers.

So what exactly went wrong?

• No name match: Megan’s luggage arrived, but since the booking didn’t include her name, it couldn’t be accepted.
• Assumptions over confirmations: A phone YES isn’t always enough. Get detailed written confirmation from hotels when shipping ahead.
• No backup plan: Always have your essentials on hand in case your suitcase takes a detour.

Can you ship your luggage to a hotel safely? Absolutely, but it takes a little planning:

• Use your full name—and match it exactly to your hotel booking.
• Include arrival date on the shipping label.
• Notify the hotel in writing (email is your BFF here).
• Use reliable carriers like UPS, FedEx or DHL with real-time tracking.

Still, the internet is full of smart travel tricks—some safer than shipping boxes across states. One TikTok-approved alternative? The controversial but clever pillowcase hack: fill an empty pillow cover with extra clothing and carry it on. It’s a sneaky workaround for tight carry-on limits—just don’t overdo it, or risk a side-eye from airline staff. Fair warning: not all carriers are on board with the trick.

Want to keep your vacation chic and drama-free? Here’s a cheat sheet to avoid luggage fees without the facepalm moments:

• Roll, don’t fold: Classic minimalist strategy to maximize space—and avoid wrinkles.
• Wear your bulkiest items on the plane: Coats, boots and layered looks save precious suitcase space.
• Invest in a travel scale: Know your weight limits before standing at the airport kiosk (and praying).
• Pack multi-use cosmetics: Lip-and-cheek tints are the MVPs of carry-on glam.

Bottom line? Not all travel hacks are created equal. Megan’s story is more than just a viral moment—it’s a stylish reminder that double-checking details (and putting your name on the room) is a non-negotiable. Want to get inspired (and maybe laugh a little)? TikTok and Instagram are packed with influencer travel tips—both the wins and the fails.

So pack smart, label everything, and if you’re shipping your suitcase, make sure it arrives fashionably—and officially—in your name.