COMING AND GOING

Weight, Weight, Don't Tell Me

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UPRIGHT AND LOCKED

Weight, Weight, Don't Tell Me

Enid Holmes, 85, never checks luggage, not on any of her trips to 252 countries. Her daughter, A.P. Smith, 65, of Lexington, Va., who has visited 235 countries, likewise carries all she needs in what for most airlines is a maximum-size carry-on bag: All dimensions added together equal 45 inches.

The women put up quite a fight on a recent trip Down Under when Air New Zealand insisted on checking their bags because, although they weren't too big, they exceeded the 15 -pound limit. Since Smith's bag weighs 10 pounds empty, she was limited to packing a book and a shoe if she wanted to carry on, although she was also allowed one "personal item," such as a purse. The women found an even more drastic weight limit of 6.6 pounds on Air Tahiti.

Qantas, its Web site shows, also sets a 15-pound limit for a carry-on bag, not including the personal item.

Most U.S. and European carriers remain more generous. Northwest, for example, says the carry-on must be no larger than 9 by 14 by 22 inches (45 inches) but may weigh up to 40 pounds. United sets the same size limits, but doesn't mention weight.

CoGo's advice: Check your airline's Web site for limits on both carry-on and checked bags, because airlines are increasingly rigorous about checking weights and charging for excess baggage. Overlooking the rules can be expensive. Air France, for example, charges a flat fee of $125 for a third checked item, no matter what it weighs.

PASSPORT WATCH

Count Your Pages

A heads-up from the U.S. State Department: Americans who don't have two blank pages in their passports can be barred from entering South Africa. The U.S. embassy has received frantic calls from Americans stuck at the airport, warns State Department spokesman Steve Royster. Those who overlook the South African rule face at least a hassle: If they're feeling kindly, South African officials might allow travelers in long enough to visit the U.S. embassy; then they must report back to border officials.

That's just one of the peculiar requirements that can crop up. Some countries check your passport expiration date and turn you away if it's not good for six more months. Others, to prevent parental child abduction, require that you prove the kids traveling with you are yours, or that you have both parents' permission to travel with the children.

To be safe, check consular information sheets on the country you're visiting at http://www.travel.state.gov. You'll also find info on how to get free blank pages, and a reminder that as of Jan. 23, you need a passport for flights to any foreign country, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. (The new rule does not apply to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.)

TRAVEL TICKER

Reagan National Airport is now offering valet parking: $40 the first day, $30 the next two, and $25 for additional days. Details: http://www.mwaa.com/ or 703-417-1234 . . . What happens if your vacation is ruined by a virus ripping through a ship? The question became important recently to 338 passengers on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, when the flulike norovirus struck. In that case, passengers received free medical care and a refund in the form of a credit, prorated for the number of days they were sick, said Royal Caribbean spokesman Michael Sheehan.

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK

Old World Options

Scandinavian Airlines is holding a "Christmas Calendar" Web sale. Each day until Dec. 24, the airline will feature a different sale to a European city. Last week, offers for travel Jan. 15-March 22 from Washington Dulles included a fare of $398 round trip plus $109 taxes to Zurich (fare on other airlines starts at $720) and a round-trip flight to Prague of $398 plus $101 taxes (fare on other airlines starts at $654). Go to www.christmas.campaign.scandinavian.net/us..

Reporting: Cindy Loose

Help feed CoGo. Send travel news, road reports and juicy tattles to cogo@washpost.com. By fax: 202-912-3609. By mail: CoGo, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.