Airlines are punishing travellers with rip-off excess baggage fees that can be as much as £65 for going just 1kg over the permitted limit, it has been revealed.
A new survey found one in three -32 percent – of holiday makers have been caught off guard with hidden and unexpected baggage fees.
And one in five – 20 percent – say the fees have forced them to cut down on travel spending when they reach their destination.
Half of travellers – 51 percent – think airlines charge too much, while a similar proportion want them to offer clearer and more consistent information on baggage fees and allowances.
The fees warning came as around five million Brits are expected to travel abroad over the December period, many weighed down by gifts to be delivered to family and friends.
Research by Confused.com found nearly 9 in 10 (89 percent) holidaymakers said they check baggage allowance and fees when booking a flight. But despite this, one in five (21 percent) said they had to purchase an additional piece of luggage to redistribute weight at the airport.
On average, people spent £55 for their overweight or oversized baggage, with 16 percent ending up paying over £100.
Confused.com said: « In the face of increasingly high living costs, the travel industry has become expensive, and holiday goers feel stung by confusing policies and hidden costs.
« Echoing this, two in five (42 percent) passengers think baggage fees should be included in the ticket price. This has even led to almost 1 in 3 (30 percent) becoming more selective about airlines based on their baggage policies. »
Travel expert, Simon Calder,said: “Twenty years ago every plane ticket came with a generous luggage allowance – but now passengers on budget airlines have to pay extra for anything beyond one small cabin bag.
“If you want the lowest price, you have to comply with the incredible shrinking free allowances. Anything bigger, and you will be paying a hefty fee if you book in advance – and even more if you leave it until the airport.
“In contrast, some airlines are very generous with the amount that you are allowed to take into the cabin. »
He added: « To clear up confusion, Confused.com has launched an airline baggage checker. This outlines the free and additional baggage allowances based on each airline flying out of the UK.
“While you’re packing your cabin luggage, remember those liquids rules apply. No snowdomes please, and don’t wrap presents beforehand because the security staff may need to check them.”
Alvaro Iturmendi, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, said: « Holidays are an exciting time but there’s no doubt that the added costs can be a significant stress for travellers.
« With so much confusion around airline policies, it’s no surprise that many feel caught off guard by unexpected costs and unclear rules when checking in luggage.
« Finding the right information can be surprisingly difficult – every airline has different policies, and knowing which sources to trust can feel overwhelming. It’s important to always check your ticket and if you’re still unsure, contact the airline to ensure you know exactly what’s included.”
« Finding out how much an airline could charge you for any overweight or oversized baggage before you fly is just as important. High and surprising costs can have a knock-on effect for customers’ holidays.
« Forward planning means holidaymakers can buy an additional bag or budget for the excess fees. Our airline baggage checker can simplify the process for passengers. All you need to do is tell us the airline you’re flying with and what class.
The checker will then share an overview of allowances of both included and excess baggage. Just a quick check of our baggage tool can help reduce the uncertainty of baggage limits. That way, people can feel ready to get away and enjoy their holiday.”
Baggage checker can be found here.
