Anyone who knows a thing or two about taking trips abroad, knows that excess baggage fees are one of the major bug bears.
But a study by online travel specialists LastMinute.com has found that 55 per cent of Irish people are unaware that excess baggage fees will be getting sky high from June 1st.
The study reveals that Irish people paid a total of €17.5 million in excess baggage fees over the past 12 months, an average of €46 per person.
Only 55 per cent of people are aware that Ryanair and Aer Lingus will be raising their excess baggage charges during the peak summer period from June to September, with only 12 per cent of people actually aware of the exact increase.
So how much will Ryanair and Aer Lingus be charging for excess baggage:
Aer Lingus (June 1st to September 30th)
- Bag fees per 20Kg bag per flight will go up from €15 to €20
- Bag fees per 20Kg bag per flight will rise from €20 to €25 for flights to the Canaries, Corfu, Izmir and Greek routes.
Ryanair (June 1st to September 30th and December 21st to January 4th)
- Bags up to 15kg will go up from €15 to €25
- Bags up to 15kg will go up from €20 to €35 for flights to the Canaries and on Greek routes
- Bags up to 20Kg will increase from €25 per flight to €35 in peak season
- Bags up to 20Kg will rise from €30 per flight to €45 in peak season for flights to the Canaries and on Greek routes
So how can you avoid paying excess baggage fees?
Here are a few tips:
- Invest in new lightweight luggage which is signifcantly lighter than its older counterparts
- Use vacuum packing bags for clothes in your case as it increases the amount of space available
- Use mini travel bottles for toiletries
- Put heavy items in your carry-on bag
- Wear your heaviest items of jewellery and leave the lighter pieces in your luggage
- Check to see if your hotel has hair dryers and towel
