Baggage fees have become an integral way for airlines to generate more revenue from flyers, with the cost sometimes trumping the actual flight cost. Low-cost airlines are particularly notorious for stinging their passengers who are over the suitcase or hand luggage allowance with large fees. Plus travellers who opt for free baggage, which must be a certain size, are often told they must pay for an extra carry-on or checked-in luggage if it doesn't fit the strict dimensions or weighs too much.
A UK study found that a third of Brits have had to pay excess baggage fees when at the airport, equating to over £490 million ($915 million) in 2022 alone. "With a little bit of imagination, there are many hacks that holiday-goers can try to sneak a little extra on board without paying any more," James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises said. "It is easy to overpack and fill bags to the brim, so holidaymakers should think twice about what they truly need because there is no worse start to a holiday than unexpected and unwanted charges.
" Here, are some of the top hacks experts have shared to avoid paying the dreaded overweight baggage fee. Duty-free bags don't count as carry-on baggage , so if passengers buy something in a duty-free shop, they can use the bag they provide to add in their extra heavier items. Fashion influencer Faith Woodhall recently reminded her followers of the clever trick.
"Bring a second plastic bag full of stuff and buy a boots/duty-free bag .