2023-05-15 19:06:27
Nowadays, it is increasingly easy to find flights at advantageous rates, especially with so-called “low-cost” airlines. But there are often unpleasant surprises that can arise when boarding. You may have already had to deal with this, it is the additional costs which can, in some cases, double or even triple the bill. Among the most common are additional baggage fees. This can be understood, we rarely travel without clothes. And if you’re one of those people who doesn’t consider the weight and size of your suitcase before heading to the airport, the final cost of your trip can be quite a blow to your wallet. Hence the importance of knowing one or two methods to allow you to save money when your suitcase exceeds a few kilos.
Overweight luggage at the airport can be a source of inconvenience. Source: spm
In recent years, many travelers have sought to avoid excess baggage fees by using some outlandish and ingenious tricks. Social networks and video-sharing platforms have largely contributed to the spread of these methods, which, as you will see as you read on, can allow you to avoid paying more… if you have the heart to work. . Here are a few :
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1. The Duty Free trick
This trick involves going to a Duty Free retail store, also known as a duty-free store, usually found in the transit areas of international airports, to buy bags there. Once this purchase has been made, these must be used as containers for your clothes, objects, or the excess of what you take on your trip. The idea behind this method? Pass your baggage for new purchases made within the airport itself and thus pass through security without the need to pay fees for your additional baggage.
What you need to know: Thanks to feedback from several travelers on social networks, we know that this trick works…but not always. While it seems to have worked for some travelers, other reviews suggest a less happy ending. Like a Tiktok user who was asked to bill his purchases and who, in the end, had to open his bag and pay the extra for his luggage.
A tip for traveling with your excess baggage without paying is to pass the excess in Duty Free bags. Source: spm
2. The pillow trick on the plane
It is not forbidden to bring your pillow on the plane, and this accessory which allows you to optimize your comfort during your trip can have another use. Clever little guys had the good idea to use it to discreetly pass on their surplus clothes. What is this trick? Well, it is quite simple:
- Take a pillowcase;
- Empty it of its content;
- Include excess clothing to keep carry-on baggage below the weight limit.
What you need to know: The test videos of this trick, made mainly on Ryanair flights, have been particularly viral on the TikTok social network. The airline, also present on the platform, did not fail to react by posting a video with the caption: “Who will know? WE KNOW “. In addition, in an article published on the subject, the British media Express also relayed comments which suggest that the agents of the companies are well informed of the deception. Is it legal or illegal? That is the question.
A pillow can be used to carry some of your belongings. Source: spm
3. Wear your clothes to avoid paying excess baggage fees
With most airlines, hand luggage is usually free, but there are strict rules regarding size and weight. If your hand luggage is too big or too heavy, you may have to put it in the hold and pay an additional fee. To circumvent this provision, some travelers have found a parade: put on some of their clothes to avoid being overweight. If we rely on the feedback from travelers who have tested this method, it is a great success… in the majority of cases.
What you need to know : Even people who have tried it admit that wearing several layers of clothing is very uncomfortable. This is the case of Gel Rodriguez, a Filipina traveler quoted by the media Vice, in an article published in 2019. To avoid paying the costs related to the overweight of her suitcase, she made the choice to put on her extra clothes, namely pants, shirts, jackets and long-sleeved tops. If the operation allowed her to lighten her luggage weighing 2.5 kg and save money, she did not want to repeat the feat, even going to advise once morest it to other travelers: “It was really hot . I don’t recommend other people to do it,” she said. Like what, this trick can work, but it does not only have advantages. But besides, why is luggage less and less included in the price of the ticket?
It is recommended to make the right arrangements with the luggage before coming to the airport. Source: spm
Why is baggage not included in the ticket for some airlines?
The reason is quite simple. Baggage fees became an important source of revenue for airlines, which began offering lower fares and increasing profits through additional services. But this restriction has not always existed, at least not for this reason. Originally, the baggage limitation was used to deal with the lack of space in the first models of aircraft. Then, with the rise of air transport, airline policies evolved to give priority to the transport of goods but also to the transport of passenger luggage, the latter being largely covered by the cost of the ticket. However, the explosion of air travel and above all the number of pieces of luggage to be transported, has posed a problem for airlines, pushing them to set a maximum weight according to the class of service. Other additional reasons, related in particular to the boarding process which might be slowed down by the number of hand luggage, the limited space of trays in the planes, but also the security problems that the mass of luggage might represent in case evacuation, reinforced this new policy. But another issue behind the restriction and charging of checked baggage is the increase in revenue. Initiated in 2008 by American Airlines, this approach has been adopted by many players in the sector, and also allows airlines to cope with the high price of oil, while maintaining the same prices.
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Now you know some tricks to avoid excess baggage fees. However, the best way to travel with peace of mind remains a good organization taking into account all aspects of your trip, from buying the plane ticket to boarding at the airport.
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