Overpacking can be bad for the back (hauling around heavy bags), but also worrisome for the wallet as extra fees are now standard fare – including some cruise lines, but especially low-cost airlines, which are notorious for stinging passengers who exceed the suitcase or hand luggage allowance with large fees.
Indeed, as airlines try to generate more revenue from flyers, baggage fees can some trump the actual flight cost. And thrifty travellers who opt for free baggage, which must be small enough to fit under the seat over limited overhead compartments, are often told they must pay for an extra carry-on or checked-in luggage if it doesn’t fit the strict dimensions or weighs too much.
“Airlines are always pursuing new revenue opportunities and charging extra for baggage has proved to be profitable,” says James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises. “(And) some airlines regularly change their bag and weight limits, which can catch people out. When this happens, the changes can still catch ‘none the wiser’ holidaymakers out several years later.
“(But) with a little bit of imagination,” he adds, “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.”
Cole continues: “It is easy to overpack and fill bags to the brim, so holidaymakers should think twice about what they truly need because there is no worse start to a holiday than unexpected and unwanted charges.
“To make it worse, over-packing and having to take a hold bag can also seriously delay the arrival experience because of waiting times at the baggage carousel; so to avoid inconvenience, people should avoid over packing at all costs and stick to hand luggage on shorter trips.”
The rules surrounding cruise luggage are far simpler and more straightforward than what you’ll find on a flight, says Cole, noting that most cruise lines have a 90 kg limit. However, this doesn’t necessarily help with airlines if bags are overweight.
With this in mind, Panache Cruises offers the following tips to help travellers avoid paying the dreaded overweight baggage fee:
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.
Utilize 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.
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. Travellers who wear their bulkiest items, like hoodies, coats, and heaviest shoes, will make more room in their case and keep extra warm on the plane. Travellers should use the pockets of their bulky clothing to stash more items if they are still concerned about the weight of the case.
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. They are an incredibly functional item to have, often lightweight, that travellers can use to safely store their valuables and gadgets.
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 because, technically, no one can say anything. While this strategy can involve holiday-goers wearing an entire wardrobe on the flight, if desperate to travel cheaply, this is definitely an option.
Invest in the best travel bag: Airlines can be very strict about the size and weight of hand luggage and suitcases. For this reason, investing in a lightweight bag makes sense so that travellers can pack in heavier items. There are also many viral hand luggage bags which have been made popular by social media. Available to buy online, these fit the specific measurements of each airline’s policy.
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. Whatever they can buy at home, travellers should be able to buy abroad. They should be a little cheaper, too, with any luck. The reduced weight also has an environmental benefit when flying too.
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.
Shop around: If wanting to bring extra luggage for a longer trip, travellers 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 10 kg and 30 kg so travellers should consider the allowance and cost together to give them a per-kilo rate and get the best possible deal.