Seven Hacks To Avoid Overweight Baggage Fees

Savvy holidaymakers hoping to avoid hefty fees for overweight baggage charges are being offered top hacks before they head off on their travels.

Low-cost airlines are notorious for stinging passengers exceeding suitcase or hand luggage allowances, with large fees.

To some, they have become a key revenue earner, even trumping the actual flight cost.

A nationwide study found that a third of Brits have had to pay excess airport baggage fees, equating to over £490 million in 2022 alone. *

Even money-saving travellers who opt for ‘free’ baggage, which must be small enough to fit under the seat, are often told they must pay for an extra carry-on or checked-in luggage if their holdall doesn’t fit the strict dimensions or weighs too much.

Each airline is different, but across UK airports fees can range from £11 per kg overweight on check-in luggage to an eye-watering £65 for overweight checked baggage.

James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises, said: “Airlines are always pursuing new revenue opportunities and charging extra for baggage.

“Some even regularly change their bag and weight limits which can catch people out.

“However, 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.

“From packing clothing within a pillowcase to using duty-free bags to sneak in extras, travellers who want to keep costs down when travelling have some inventive options.

Here are some top tips to help savvy holiday-goers avoid the extra baggage fees:

1. The pillow trick
This hack involves bringing a pillowcase full of clothes to disguise as a comfy pillow on the aircraft. Many travellers have said they have successfully used this trick to avoid fees for overweight baggage. A former flight attendant's viral TikTok makes this hack famous, and there is now concern that airlines could stop letting people bring on their pillows as more customers brag online about beating the system.

2. Utilise duty-free bags
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. This hack is great for people who want to bring an additional item on-board without breaking the strict one-small-bag rule. Simply wear layers through security and then place them in a duty free bag afterwards.

3. Travel in the heaviest clothing
Perhaps one of the oldest tricks in the book, wearing the heaviest clothes while travelling is a great way to keep to weight restrictions.

4. Invest in a Travel Vest
Wearable luggage, which offers a multitude of pockets to cram in small items, would be a great investment for frequent flyers who don’t want to pay extra for baggage.

5. Layer up
Although sometimes impractical, layering up is a great way to free up baggage space. Under a coat, no one will ever know there are eight bikinis, five tops and a hoodie! As soon as travellers get on board, they can strip down to their original outfit.

6. Invest in the best travel bag
Investing in a lightweight bag makes sense so that travellers can pack in heavier items.

7. Scrap the toiletries
Toiletries are very heavy, so to avoid excess baggage charges, it is a good idea to buy them all on arrival at the destination.

8. Save space for souvenirs
Bringing home a memento from various parts of the world is a big part of many people's travel experiences. Planning for the extra additions to luggage for the trip home is an integral part of the packing process, or holiday-goers risk a hefty charge on the way home.

9. Shop around
If wanting to bring extra luggage for a longer trip, holidaymakers should shop around and weigh up the baggage options of various airlines. Certain airlines offer heavier check in bags with standard fares. Most will offer a range of weight options, generally between 10kg and 30kg so travellers should consider the allowance and cost together to give them a per-kilo rate and get the best possible deal.

Travellers wanting to holiday without being restricted or charged for their baggage should consider a cruise! These handy tips are brought to you by: https://www.panachecruises.com/