Travel expert shares little-known hack to avoid extra luggage fees
The travel guru shared her top advice to avoid hefty baggage fees and how to also keep track of your bag
Checking-in luggage at the airport can sometimes add over £100 to a return trip. To avoid these extra baggage fees, many travellers attempt to stuff as much as they can into their carry-on case, however this can sometimes feel impossible, especially when you are going away for a longer period.
Carry-on bags vary in size, depending which airline you are travelling with. For Ryanair, travellers bags must not exceed 40x20x25cm and must be able to slide under the seat in front. It's limiting and can be stressful trying to pack.
easyJet allows one piece of free hand luggage, such as a handbag, which must be stowed under the seat in front of you. It can be as big as 45 x 36 x 20 cm, and shouldn't weigh more than 15kg.
To make the most of your luggage space and to avoid having to pay for any extra bags, travel enthusiast Sarah Lindner has shared her top tips on how to make the most of your luggage space.
Sarah, who goes by @thehouseofsequins on TikTok, posted five pieces of advice for holidaymakers, demonstrating how to maximise bag space and also to ensure it never gets lost.
Her packing hacks, which she said were "in case the airline misplaces your bag", included packing spare clothes and keeping an Apple Airtag in your bag. She also revealed a simple method to prevent your luggage from getting damaged during transit using a slip cover.
The post quickly went viral, with users praising her "great tips" for making travel easier. Sarah's first tip was to "hide an airtag in your luggage so you can track it down".
This could be particularly useful if an airline loses your bag, as you can then track its location. For those concerned about losing their luggage, she suggested packing a few days' worth of clothing in your carry-on. She added: "I always pack a few outfits in my carry-on just in case this happens."
Those worried about their luggage getting scratched can rest easy, as Sarah demonstrated a simple-to-use see-through cover that will "protect [your luggage] through baggage claim".
The influencer divulged a nifty trick for preventing your luggage from getting unsightly scratches during transit – cover it with a protective plastic sheet. Sarah also shared another smart hack: using canisters capable of carrying a "TSA approved amount of liquid".
She reminded UK travellers, though, that the liquid limit stands at 100ml, but these containers can accommodate up to four tubes of the allowed volume each.
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"People eager to maximise their luggage space were treated to a recommendation of vacuum-sealing - a space-saving godsend for tight bags."
Sarah advised: "If you're worried about saving bag space, load your clothing into a baggie and this tool sucks out all the air."
Using vacuum-sealed pouches, you can essentially compress and flatten items of clothing, granting a bit more leeway in your packing.
"And for those concerned with keeping their worn apparel separate, Sarah unveiled a final tip: bring along a zippered laundry sack that can be instantly whipped out for washing upon your return.
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