Did you know that airlines (only in the US) made more than $760 million in revenue just out of baggage fees in the first two and a half month in 2010?
Don’t you think it’s a little bit too much? I think it is! Let’s have a look at several smart ways how to cut them down.
Learn the limits for your baggage!
The rules for traveling with your luggage differs by airline. While one lets you travel with a 20 kg checked baggage, others are pretty stricter and cut your possibilities off. You are basically left with few options aE” learn the terms & conditions of the airline you are about to travel with, stand the chance to pay high excess baggage fees or have a look at some pages which gather that information for you. One of them is flylowcostairlines.org, where you can pick the airline you are interested in and see its basic requirements regarding your luggage.
Use a frequent flyer program
Most airlines have special baggage fees or allowances for those who join their frequent flyer program. Think about whether you regularly fly with any airline and if so, make the most if it!
Can you go by train instead?
If you don’t mind traveling slower and taking your time, traveling by train could be the right choice for you. Passengers are usually allowed to take two pieces of luggage and the excess baggage fees are much lower than the ones you usually pay when traveling by plane.
Weigh your luggage!
Do not forget to weigh your luggage! You may not believe this, but airlines will charge you an absolute fortune in case you exceed the baggage allowance. If traveling with Delta you might end up paying as much as $450 each way on some international routes!
Get a new suitcase
It might pay off to buy a new suitcase. The most modern ones are made of high-tech materials (like carbon or nylon) and can weigh only a few pounds. Though these suitcases might seem a little bit expensive (their price usually starts at around $180), they definitely pay off for those who like traveling with a little bit more stuff and want to avoid paying excess baggage fees repeatedly.