5 Tips to avoid excess baggage charges

Expensive excess baggage fees can be a headache for any traveler. Depending on the distance traveled and the airlines, the weight limits can vary between 23kg and 32kg for one or two bags. It may seem like a lot, but those who have gone through this know the challenge of not exceeding the weight after putting all belongings in the suitcase. 

To avoid surprises when checking in and having to pay a little extra to take your bags, some care needs to be taken so that your trip goes smoothly. We have gathered the best tips for those who want to avoid any hassle when boarding an international flight to Bali or anywhere else. Check them out!

  1. Know the airline’s policies

Check all airline policies before buying the ticket. Each airline has a different baggage policy, so it’s worth knowing them before making the purchase. Some airlines already include baggage fees on the price of the ticket and others don’t, meaning that you will have to pay for the ticket plus baggage. Choose the airline that offers the most flexible rules with the best prices to avoid any surprises at the time of boarding. 

  1. Be careful when choosing your suitcase

This tip may seem unusual, but it is a mistake more common than you might think. Choosing a stylish suitcase based on its appearance without taking into account its weight might lead to surprises when checking in at the airport. In fact, sometimes an empty suitcase can weigh more than 5 kg, taking about a quarter of your baggage allowance. Therefore, make sure you consider the weight of your suitcase before buying it. 

  1. Less is more

This is the hardest part for some people: choosing and eliminating items. Consider the number of days you will be away and keep in mind that doing the laundry in Bali is very cheap and convenient. You just pay a dollar or so per kilo and they do it for you.

Also, remember that the weather in Bali is always warm so you should pack with light clothing items like shorts, t-shirts, sandals, etc. Leave behind the jeans and sweaters, you won’t need them. If later you realize that you need something you didn’t bring or just want to bring home some new items you bought abroad, just know that Bali is a great place for shopping. You will find great prices and good quality products. Just don’t forget you will have to pay for baggage fees in case you pass the weight limit on the way back.

Also, if your hotel provides hair dryers, towels, bathrobes and slippers, leave those things at home! You also don’t have to carry around lots of soap and shampoo. Buy them once you arrive in Bali or take packages with small quantities.

  1. Choose a backpack instead of suitcase carry-on

Airline staff always expect a backpack to be light and a suitcase carry-on to be heavy since suitcases are seen as containers carrying heavy items. In fact, both the backpack and small suitcase can carry pretty much the same amount of stuff, with the backpack having the advantage of being more flexible than the rigid suitcases. Unless you are carrying only rectangular boxes that would fit perfectly inside a rigid suitcase, backpacks work better carrying objects of different shapes. 

Moreover, a backpack is usually considered a personal item and not weighed or measured (unless you have a huge backpack), whereas a hard suitcase carry-on will be checked for size and weight restrictions.

  1. Use your pockets (and body)

A great way to reduce the weight in your baggage is by putting heavy items (like those really heavy power banks) into your pockets. Heavy and big DSLR camera can be placed around your neck, laptop carried in your hands or under your arms, bulky clothes worn in different layers, and so on. All items you carry with you will be considered personal items and probably won’t be checked before boarding.