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TrainsTransportation of luggage by passengers on an airplane is not such a simple procedure as it seems at first glance. In the last ten years, with the advent of low-cost airlines and the desire of ordinary airlines to save money and provide passengers with flexible fares, baggage restrictions have become so strict that inexperienced tourists often get into unpleasant situations.
In order not to get into unforeseen expenses when checking in and checking in luggage at the airport, here's what air passengers should know:
Free luggage is not always included
Not all airlines and not all fares provide a free baggage allowance. Now, on the contrary, more often you can find air tickets that include only hand luggage, and luggage is paid extra if necessary.
Carriage rates are different
Each airline sets its own free baggage allowance, and they differ also for different fares or specific flights (international, domestic, charter). Therefore, when buying tickets for specific flights, check whether free baggage is included in the fare, and its norms. Usually all this information is displayed at one of the stages of registration of the ticket.
Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a ticket immediately with luggage than to buy it at a bagless tariff
The cheapest flight options in the search are usually displayed without luggage, but at the stage of registration for a fee, you can add it. But do not rush to do this, but first compare the cost of air tickets of other airlines or tariffs of the same company in this direction. It may well turn out that a ticket with free luggage already included will be cheaper than a low-cost flight at a bagless fare+luggage for a fee.
Do not allow overweight and excess dimensions
At the check-in desk, your luggage is weighed, and they can additionally measure the dimensions. And if they are higher than the paid or free rate, you will have to pay extra, and the rates for exceeding are simply "wild".
It is necessary to consider not only the weight and size, but also the quantity
Even not all experienced tourists pay attention to this, but the baggage allowance consists not only of weight and size, but also of the number of units. Usually only one unit is allowed for transportation, which means that even two small light bags that do not exceed the norms in total weight and size may not be accepted for transportation. In this case, you will have to pay all units in excess of the norm at the airport in addition, which is very expensive.
Cheaper to pay online than at the airport
Paying for luggage at the airport is very expensive. Therefore, try to take everything into account when issuing a ticket. Also, usually airlines allow you to buy luggage for the ticket on the site later after purchase until the day of departure.
And here is some more useful information about luggage for those who fly rarely or for the first time:
- Free luggage carts are provided at all airports around the world. At some airports, a deposit must be paid in advance for the use of the trolley, which can then be refunded if the trolley is returned to the collection point.
- Airlines and airports are responsible not only for the loss, but for the integrity of your suitcases and bags. If the suitcase broke off the wheel or the handle came off, you can get compensation for this by applying to the carrier company. But of course you need to measure the cost of the damage and the possible loss of time for this, since not all airlines will be ready to compensate everything on demand, and you will have to deal with a long lawsuit.
- You can insure against loss, damage, or even delay luggage. To do this, insurance companies offer a special option when issuing a travel insurance policy. You can apply for travel policies online on these sites:
- Soft bags, backpacks, suitcases with a glossy or beautiful surface are best protected with a special film before the flight. At the airport, the service of wrapping in film costs from 400 rubles and reaches 40 dollars in foreign terminals. But you can save on this if you buy a special luggage film in a hardware store or supermarket, or in extreme cases a simple food film.