Flight baggage restrictions are, quite often, the bane of a travellers’ holiday experience. Excess charges for luggage which is over weight, or which is required to be checked in when at the airport, varies from airline to airline. Yet it is usually costly, eating into spending money or leaving some who have already overspent while overseas with a financial headache. Though a handy trick to save some pennies on excess baggage, if accrued during a trip, has now come to light.
Company Pack and Send has claimed UK holidaymakers pay out nearly £400 million in excess baggage charges each year.
Mike Ryan, Chief Executive, said a handy hack to avoid this is sending your baggage home before you get there.
He referenced the amount of souvenirs they pick up and said: “Like many travellers, you may well find yourself flying home with more than you came with – it may be that you’ve bought a piece of art, an antique, or other holiday purchases, taking you over your airline’s baggage limit.
“As an alternative to paying extra airline charges to bring your prized souvenirs home, it may work out safer and more cost-effective to use an international delivery company which offers door-to-door service.
“Should you be continuing your travels before flying home, you can even arrange with a courier to store your items and ship them so that they arrive at home when you do.”
Therefore, should travellers plan ahead, it may well pay off.
Meanwhile, travel experts from The Points Guy added: “If you plan to bring hold baggage, familiarise yourself with the airline’s fare class hold baggage policies.
“Reserving and paying for the hold baggage at the time of booking or adding it online before your day of travel usually offers you the best deal.
“If you show up at the airport and find out hold baggage wasn’t included with your ticket, you’ll usually be charged much more to check it then.
“Hidden fees can also ply to carry-on baggage too, especially if you’re travelling with a low-cost carrier like Ryanair or easyJet.”
Equally, a banned luggage item that all Britons should be aware of has come to light.
Travel gurus from MyBaggage.com have revealed how electronic devices of any type can be banned from the plane cabin if they have no charge.
So if a passenger’s phone runs out of charge in the check-in line, for example, they could be in trouble.
They state: “If you cannot turn on your devices when requested by security personnel, they can take it from you, placing your holidays snaps in jeopardy.”
The FCO has reiterated the little-known point, and added: “Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel.”
“If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.”
Offering wider advice about packing techniques, the MyBaggage.com spokesperson said: “Ensuring everything you pack at home is allowed onto the plane is an easy way to prevent a stressful experience once you reach the airport.
“Some items you might not think as a problem when packing, but when safety is considered it becomes clear why they aren’t allowed in hand luggage.
“Having items removed from you and potentially being handed a fine is not how you want to start, or end, your trip away.”
