The perils of oversizing one’s luggage on a budget flight. It’s a scenario all too familiar for many travelers, with the added financial burden of extra baggage fees. A recent anecdote from a Ryanair passenger illustrates the issue, where an oversized wheel on their bag led to a €75 charge at check-in. Travel expert Ian McIlrath is here to share his advice on how to ‘bend the rules’ and avoid those costly excess baggage fees. Acquire a Larger Bag
Ian McIlrath, managing director at Ski Solutions, suggests that passengers consider purchasing a bag from a duty-free shop or retailer within the airport. This can provide extra space for items that may not fit within the airline’s standard baggage allowance. It’s essential to note that goods purchased in an airport will not count towards the baggage allowance, including click-and-collect orders.
- Goods bought in an airport won’t count towards your baggage allowance, including click-and-collect orders, so you could bend the rules a little bit here by packing a little more into a shopping bag, provided that it’s from a retailer within the airport and not just any old supermarket bag.
- By doing this, you can potentially avoid an oversized bag charge at check-in.
Another strategy Ian recommends is wearing your ‘bulkier clothing’ on the flight to save room in a small hand luggage bag. Airlines won’t count your ski jacket or coat towards your baggage allowance as long as it’s out of your bag and won’t interfere with the flight’s cabin layout. By doing so, you can make the most of your available space and conceal smaller cross-body bags under your jacket for storing essential items like your phone, passport, and keys.
One traveler shared a creative way to get around Ryanair’s baggage rules, but Ian stresses that the best approach is to ensure your luggage fits within the size limits. Some airlines charge up to £75 for a slightly oversized hand luggage bag at the boarding gate, even if it’s only a centimeter or two out of the allowed dimensions. By investing in an airline-specific cabin bag, you can save yourself from potential charges.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Airline-specific cabin bags designed to fit within airline size limits. | Typically under £7 on retailers like Amazon. |
| Inflatable travel pillows that provide comfort and additional storage space. | A one-time purchase, with prices varying depending on brand and quality. |
Ian also suggests investing in an ‘inflatable travel pillow’ for flights. This can provide both comfort and additional storage space for your belongings. Simply store items of clothing inside the pillowcase when it’s not inflated, and you’ll have more room in your main carry-on baggage. On the flight, you can remove the clothing and re-inflate the pillow. It’s a simple yet effective solution.
While these hacks might work to save you money on excess luggage fees, it’s essential to remember that success is not guaranteed. Ian warns that some of these tips, particularly those involving bending the rules, may not work as intended and could result in being turned away by airline staff.
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