Holiday travel crowds mean oversold flights, long airport lines, and longer waits at baggage claim. There is a better way. Believe it or not, you can pack for a vacation with just a carry-on, as long as you remember to upgrade your economy ticket to be sure you can board early to get some overhead room.

Now when it comes to packing, Travel Correspondent Alyssa Caverley offers up a six step plan for finding the right luggage, choosing what to pack and fitting it all into one regulation size carry-on.

For more money-saving secrets, check out the first five parts of the Know Before You Go series including how to find affordable accommodations, how to travel home for less, how to survive a holiday road trip, how to find free wi-fi, and when to upgrade an economy seat.

Then for more packing advice, check out:

• Luggage and Gadget Innovations Available Fall 2012
• Phil Baker’s Luggage Innovations of 2012
• Peter’s Travel Tip: What to Look for Luggage

By Alyssa Caverley for PeterGreenberg.com

Shot using a Sony HDR AX-2000 HD camera.