When you book a flight check the airline terms and conditions to see their baggage allowance as this can vary wildly. With some budget airlines you will even have to pay just to take a bag. Some airlines offer as little as 12kg and other offering as much as 35kg. If you know that you are going to be carrying something heavy with you like skis it makes sense to check the airline website or speak to them on the phone before you go. It is often cheaper to book an extra bag in advance.

These days it’s becoming harder and harder to go on holiday without your airline charging you for little extras, legroom, priority check in, airport check in, sitting together and most of all excess baggage charges.
The growth of the budget airline sector has seen a fast reduction in the amount of weight you can travel with it’s almost if they are trying to catch you out, to con you into giving them more money. Ryan Air for example can charge you £15 per kilo you are over and checking in another bag doesn’t help as they can sting you for as much as £30 just to check a bag at the airport. One thing to be particularly careful of is that many airlines will charge you for an extra bag but not increase your allowance. Easy Jet will let you take up to 8 bags, letting you pay £8 for each bag you check in, however it will not increase your 16kg weight allowance.

Avoid the charges with a device like and digital luggage scale, one of the most popular brands and most reliable is the Balanzza scale. It is very small, small enough and light enough that you can take it with you to ensure that you do not over pack your bag on the way back. They cost around 12 pounds and are invaluable because of their portability and accuracy.

Some Top Tips For Avoiding The Charges

  • Check luggage with a set of Digital Luggage Scales before reaching the airport
  • Weigh your luggage allowance on the web before you pack
  • Leave space in your hand luggage for any extra weight, hand luggage isn’t usually weighed.
  • Size up your suitcases to ensure they are the right measurements to go in the hold or as hand luggage.
  • Let your airline in advance about heavy items
  • Check in online instead of at the airport.