Airlines are around the world are finding themselves scrambling to find solutions to manage costs, and the fact is that these costs are often being past back to you and your family. One of the ways that airlines are looking to pass the cost over is by looking at options to charge you for carrying your baggage, it would seem that your smalls are about to be penalised for flying. So what are some of the levels you need to be aware of for travelling around Australia.
| Airline |
Free Baggage allowance |
Excess Baggage |
| Jetstar |
Light Fares 10kg Hand Luggage Regular Fares 20Kg Star Class Fares 30kg |
$20 Kg for arranging online or $40 at the airport..ouch! $10 per Kg on regular and Star Class Fares |
| Virgin Blue |
Regular Fares 20 Kg Corporate Fares 32 Kg Gold Loyalty members 32 kg |
When your luggage is up to 10kg over you will need fork out $20. After that up to 15kg its going to cost you a extra $30 then over 16kg it will cost you $80 then $5 per extra kg. Now that hurts the budget! |
| Tiger |
7 Kg |
Advance Bookings are charged $5 for the first 15kg then $40 for 30kg. Check in at the airport and its going to cost you $20 for 15kg then $13 per kg. |
Some options to manage excess luggage charges.
1. Pack Lighter – carefully consider what you are packing and is it really important to carry.
2. Look at alternative solutions from luggage groups like personal porter who can arrange for you luggage to be picked up and delivered to your destination.
3. Be very mindful for of the baggage allowances, I would not be surprised if Airline staff are being rewarded/incentivized for collecting revenue through extra baggage allowances.
5. Invest in a good set of scales and weigh all bags before leaving home.
4. Watch out for extra charges being applied by airlines for carrying items such as surfboards golf sets etc.
Example:
A family of 4 who travel from Melbourne to the gold coast for a week and are flying on Jetstar their average weight per family member is 28kg, would put them over weight by 32kg which would sting them for a extra $240. By using a pre forward service like personal porter this charge would be approx $160, plus it gets picked up and delivered to your destination.
I remember going on field trip to Indonesia with school and was told we could only carry one piece of hand luggage and we had to wash our spare clothes daily. However I would not be recommending it for family holiday it would not be enjoyable ensuring that everyone is washing their clothes on a daily basis.
Leave us your comments for ways to avoid being stung with extra fees.
