In the age of airline efficiency, tighter security and ever-stricter regulations, the times of waiving excess baggage are well and truly behind us. Just how will we know for sure exactly what the rules are each time we travel and avoid getting stung by late charges?
We all recall the traditional days – when you could show up at the check-in desk with three suitcases bursting within the seams, striking the scales a combined equivalent to just a little car.
Today, baggage allowances are strictly enforced, there are hefty fees for individuals who turn up with overweight luggage – or perhaps worse, you may face leaving your precious belongings behind.
Baggage allowances have a tendency to chop and alter using the following variables: seat class, route, airline, passenger status (for instance going with children) and dimensions.
With those who work in mind, the following five tips will make sure you don’t reach the airport in the baggage-related panic ever again.
Book carefully
Avoid any baggage-allowance anxiety in the very outset.
Whether booking with an airline directly, or arriving there from the comparison site, carefully inspect what baggage allowance you're entitled to in your trip.
Normally, this is extremely clear when selecting either your seat or perhaps your class. You ought to be told whether your selection includes checked baggage, and just what the burden allowance is.
Sometimes, however, this doesn’t become an option until later in the booking process, and you'll be prompted to include checked baggage becoming an extra like a final stage.
So be vigilant while you are booking your flights and never assume your baggage allowance has been automatically added. Don’t complete your ticket purchase until you’ve checked, re-checked and double-checked.
Pre-purchased luggage allowance is far, much less expensive than the nasty surprise to pay excess fees on the day you travel.
Check the guidelines – closely
Your flight booking should include info on your baggage allowance.
As an over-all rule of all economy flights, you could expect an allowance of 23kg. However, it all depends on the airline, the aircraft, your destination, and the route you're traveling on.
For example, you might be going for a domestic flight on the small aircraft before changing onto a long-haul journey on a larger plane.
Don’t think that your baggage allowance on the latter will affect the former – even if it’s part of the same booking.
That’s since your baggage allowance will be associated with the smallest one permitted in your overall itinerary.
However, some airlines allows some discretion and flexibility when it comes to this inconvenience, so it pays to contact your airline directly to see exactly what do be arranged and steer clear of any unnecessary headaches whenever you travel.
Try hand luggage-only
If you’re traveling light, one sure-fire approach to beat the checked baggage method is not to utilize it whatsoever.
More and much more, airlines are offering ‘seat-only’ deals which, typically, allow you to bring 7kg of non-public luggage in addition to a handbag or new new laptop bag with you in to the cabin.
The disadvantage isn't that all personal effects are welcome aboard, and sharp and dangerous objects will always need to go inside the hold.
On some airlines plus some routes, the rules have relaxed somewhat regarding liquids and aerosols – which in fact had been a barrier to advocates of hand luggage-only travel – therefore it pays to seek advice from your airline what you could take.
Check your ticket type
It also pays to double-check your ticket type.
Some airlines possess a complex hierarchy of cabin class, so make sure you understand what tier your ticket sits on.
As along with economy, you could also encounter economy plus, premium economy, economy classic, economy flex, comfort plus, flexi, economy light – all depending on airline, aircraft and route – and all carrying different implications for baggage allowance.
Use a baggage calculator
In the face area of fixing rules and confusion around baggage allowances, many airlines now give a “baggage calculator” which will instantly tell you just how much baggage you are able to travel with according to your booking.
Visit your airline’s how do people find it, pack accordingly, and head to the airport with reassurance.
