No one wants to have to pay for unexpected baggage fees – but it can happen if you’re not sure about the baggage allowance of your chosen airline. Thankfully, there are many ways to keep your costs down. Here, we take a look at a few tips so you can confidently plan your next trip.

Tips for avoiding excess luggage fees

Smart packing and forward planning

Excess baggage fees can add up quickly, turning your dream holiday into an expensive and stressful disaster. But fear not! With a little planning and some clever tips and tricks, you can avoid those extra charges and keep your travel budget in check. From pooling with a pal and maximising your hand luggage allowance to investing in digital luggage scales, we share our top tips for avoiding excess baggage charges with popular airlines such as KLM, Ryanair, Emirates and Air France.

5 clever ways to avoid excess baggage fees

Pack smart and travel light

If you’re keen to avoid any extra fees, here are some essential tips to follow on your next getaway:

1. Pay for additional weight in advance

Plan ahead and save

It’s typically cheaper to book extra hold luggage in advance rather than pay excess baggage fees at the airport. Airlines know that keeping within weight/size limits is not always possible though, so they encourage you to plan ahead by buying extra weight online – usually at a discounted price to what you would pay on departure. Budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet can charge £11-£12 per extra kilo on the day, while Emirates charges as high as €50 per kilo depending on your flight route.

2. Weigh as you go

No surprises at the airport

Beat airline baggage fees by weighing as you pack, and you’ll have no nasty surprises at the airport. If your wheelie bag looks decidedly stuffed the night before you travel, save yourself a pretty penny by double-checking the weight while you’ve still got time to take out your just-in-case layers and extra pair of shoes. Digital luggage scales are fairly cheap and easy to come by. Plus, you can stash them in your bag for the return journey.

3. Pool baggage with a travel buddy

Teamwork makes the dream work

Overweight baggage didn’t make it past the check-in desk? Avoid paying excess baggage fees by spreading your belongings across your family and friends’ bags. Or ask the airline staff to pool your baggage allowance together. Note that airlines like Emirates let you buy baggage by weight rather than by piece, so you can use more than one bag. Ryanair and Aer Lingus also allow baggage pooling, provided you’re on the same flight reservation and check in together.

4. Use lightweight luggage

Every kilo counts

When it comes to excess weight, your travel bags might be the culprit rather than your spare swimsuit. Older suitcases often have heavy frames which make a big dent in your total allowance. Upgrading to a lighter case, or swapping your old hard shell for a canvas backpack, could give you a couple of precious extra kilos to play with. Just make sure you double-check the luggage dimensions of your airline before you fly.

5. Maximise your hand luggage allowance

Carry-on cleverness

Another cunning way to avoid excess baggage fees is to make the most of your hand luggage. Premium airlines like British Airways often allow you to bring two items on board, while budget airlines offer the ability to upgrade your in-cabin allowance to a larger bag that sits in the overhead locker. It can be a handy way to bring extra items along, without compromising on weight. Just remember to leave liquid containers over 100ml, anything sharp or tools in your hold luggage or at home to avoid having them confiscated at security.

Know your allowance

Swot up on airline baggage fees

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule with airline luggage policies. Baggage allowances can vary significantly between airlines and even specific flight routes. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with your airline's specific restrictions on weight, size and number of bags before you travel to avoid any surprises. Check their websites when you book or contact customer service for more detailed information. The below table details the charges you’ll face per airline if your bags are overweight.

Now you know how to make the most of your baggage allowance and avoid unwanted excess baggage fees, you can be confident when booking your upcoming adventure.