How to avoid overpaying for luggage and hand luggage on the plane

For excess baggage, exceeding its size, the number of units in excess of the permitted norm during air travel often have to pay extra, and sometimes the surcharge for excess baggage may be even higher than the cost of the ticket itself. This became especially true after 2017, when Russian airlines received the right to sell tickets without luggage. From that moment on, it became possible to purchase a ticket at very low prices during sales promotions, but without luggage. Airlines also got the right to reduce the permissible size of hand luggage to absurd dimensions, so you don't want to, you have to buy more luggage in addition to a cheap air ticket.

Now even experienced travelers face such troubles when they suddenly have to pay extra for an extra bag or hand luggage that does not fit into the installed dimensions. Therefore, the following tips on how to avoid overpaying for luggage to save on air travel will be relevant for both beginners and experienced passengers.

Here's the main thing to do to avoid getting into an overpayment situation:

• Study the carry-on baggage allowance

  You can do this on the carrier's website, or before buying a ticket in the fare conditions. Note the:

  • Maximum permitted weight
  • Dimensions of hand luggage
  • Is it allowed to carry a handbag, a camera, a laptop, baby food, or other items in addition to hand luggage without taking into account the dimensions
  • Carry-on baggage allowance for a ticket purchased for a child

  Why did it become so important? It may well be that you will not be able to carry in your hand luggage what you have planned, due to excess weight or size. Airlines have now become very strict about this, not limited to simply weighing and inspecting hand luggage at the check-in desk. Now checking its dimensions and weight is often carried out immediately before boarding the plane, and your bag can be checked using a special rack to check the size. And if your bag does not enter the cell for checking the dimensions, you will be denied boarding, and will be required to hand it over in your luggage, for which, of course, you will have to pay a decent extra.

• Study baggage allowance

  This can also be done on the carrier's website, or before buying a ticket in the fare conditions. Note the:

  • Maximum permitted baggage weight
  • Luggage dimensions
  • Number of pieces of luggage
  • Baggage allowance for a ticket purchased for a child

  If earlier, almost all airlines had a standard baggage allowance for each passenger of about 20 kilograms, now airlines manage to reduce the maximum weight to 10 kilograms, severely limit the dimensions, and set the number of units. Especially do not forget about the last – the number of units. After all, if you have two small bags that pass by weight and overall dimensions, and the conditions indicate 1 unit for carriage, you will have to pay extra.

And now tips and tricks that will help save on the transportation of luggage and hand luggage:

• Wear everything you can

  The weight and size of hand luggage does not take into account all those things that are worn on you as outerwear. ie, you can wear everything you can and shove the items into your pockets.

• Remember that you can carry for free

  According to Russian law, in addition to hand luggage, you can take some things on board for free, and the airline has no right to refuse you this.:

  • A backpack (the weight and dimensions of which are established by the rules of the carrier), or a ladies ' bag, or a briefcase with things enclosed in a backpack, or a bag, or a briefcase
  • Bouquet of flowers
  • Outerwear
  • Baby food for the child during the flight
  • Suit in holdall
  • Baby carrying device
  • Medications, special dietary requirements in the amount necessary for the duration of the flight;
  • Crutches, canes, walkers, rollators, a folding wheelchair used by a passenger and having dimensions that allow them to be safely placed in the aircraft cabin on a shelf above the passenger seat or under the seat in front of the passenger seat;
  • Goods purchased in duty-free shops Duti-free at the airport, packed in a sealed (sealed) plastic bag, the weight and dimensions of which are established by the rules of the carrier.

  However, these rules apply only when flying across the Russian Federation, and it is possible that in other countries for all this you will have to pay extra.

• Purchased at the airport is also paid

  Remember that the goods purchased in the shops of the airport in the departure area, but not packed in a sealed (sealed) plastic bag of the duty-free store (Duti-free) will also be counted in the weight and size of hand luggage, and if it exceeds, you will have to pay as baggage.

• It is better to buy luggage with air tickets

  It is best to purchase luggage for carriage immediately when buying air tickets, since it will be more expensive to buy it later.

• Pay for luggage online

  If, after purchasing a ticket, it turns out that you need to pay extra for luggage, then it is cheaper to do this on the airline's website online, since when checking in at the airport you still have to pay a service fee in addition to the tariffs (from 25 euros).

• When traveling with a family or group, do not buy luggage at all

  When traveling with family or friends, do not rush to purchase tickets with luggage for all passengers. Calculate the weight and quantity and it is possible that one ticket with luggage will be enough for you, and other family members or friends will be able to fly only with hand luggage, which is much cheaper.

• Refuse to transport inexpensive things

  If you need to fit into the baggage allowance, it is often more profitable to refuse to transport some things that you can buy already at the place of rest, and then leave them as well. This can be, for example, shampoos and soap, towels, food.

• Use the help of a friend

  We would not recommend counting on this method, but nevertheless, it exists. During check-in, you can find a person in the queue who agrees to take some of your luggage on himself if he is flying light. But, firstly, not everyone agrees to take someone else's luggage, because there may be prohibited items, and secondly, a stranger may well leave with your luggage, while you will, for example, issue a visa on arrival at the airport of arrival.

• Pack by yourself

  Packing luggage is optional, but allows you to extend the life of your bags, and especially backpacks. You can save on packing luggage at the airport (costs from 400 rubles for a small bag), packing it yourself with food film or special luggage film, which is sold in hardware stores.