Traveling with hand luggage only is a great way to cut excess costs. But excess airline baggage fee charges vary across airlines.
The "pack light" advice isn't good enough, especially since families with young kids, individuals who don't travel often, and anyone traveling in search of better weather can't simply "pack light." You need some realistic steps to take when the airlines start raising the cost of your travel by hundreds of dollars just for bringing your airline baggage with you:
1. Plan ahead
According to Matt Bagwell, co-founder of SEVENFEETAPART, "Lay out everything that you think that you'll need to take and then ask yourself, 'Am I really going to need this?' In a recent survey of our customers, 62% said that they packed too much when they traveled. So when you survey the piles on the floor, consider what you can jettison."
2. Choose wisely
Fly airlines that go easy on fees and commit your valuable consumer dollars to the traveler-friendly businesses. If an airline charges for just one airline baggage, don't book with them if you'll have to eventually pay for your carry-on or your checked bags.
3. Check with the airline's baggage restrictions
Check with your chosen airline to make sure youy are in-the-know about their cabin bag restrictions because even the airlines with good deals still have complex rules. Allowances vary by destination, class of service, and operating carrier. Knowing what the weight limit is and what the excess charges are per kilogram will help travelers. It is important to know what each airline's baggage policy is.
Check the airline baggage limit's terms and conditions. Also, check the cost per kilo of weight in excess of the baggage limit.
According to Flight Centre's Tom Walley, "Double-checking baggage allowances ahead of time can potentially save travellers hundreds of dollars in overweight or excess baggage charges at the airport."
4. Pack smarter
Wear your biggest coat instead of checking it (you can just take it off on the plane). Place heavier items in your carry-on bag. Airline crew (depending on the carrier) are less strict about weighing carry-on bags. Consider sharing a large suitcase if you're traveling with your family.
"My suggestion is to wear the weight. So if there is a heavy coat, jacket, jeans or pair of shoes that you absolutely must take with you, as long as it's comfortable and doesn't restrict you, wear it on the plane," Matt added.
5. Purchase check-in baggage
Purchase check-in baggage when booking if planning to pack presents and shopping purchases then pre-purchase additional baggage if you need it.
6. Weigh in at home
Weigh your bags on the scales at home, so you won't get a nasty surprise at the check-in desk and frantically unpack and re-pack your luggage at the airport. You can get an electronic hanging scale for under $20 on Amazon (e.g. American Weigh Scale American Weigh H-110 Digital Hanging Scale)
Apply a few tricks to save here and there.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
