A travel expert has shared a savvy trick that could bring down the cost of your luggage when travelling. Heading abroad to escape from reality requires a lot of planning and organisation, and it often makes sense to book your suitcases with your flights and accommodation to tick all three off your list in one go. However, if you're trying to stick to a budget, you could hold off on adding your luggage to save a bit of money.
Travel expert Gavin Lapidus, company director at eShores, advises waiting until check-in to book your suitcases, as it could be significantly cheaper than your initial booking. This is usually the case with less popular flights when there's excess space on the plane - so consider how busy your flight is likely to be.
Gavin told The Mirror: "Luggage prices can fluctuate, but not in the same way as flight prices. Airlines use dynamic pricing, meaning baggage fees can vary depending on demand, time of booking, and even the route. For instance, on busy flights where overhead space is limited, adding a cabin bag later might cost more. However, on quieter flights, airlines may reduce baggage fees or offer cheaper upgrades at check-in to encourage passengers to pay for extras.".
Lots of airlines offer priority boarding deals, which include seats, suitcases and skipping queues. But this isn't always the cheapest option. Gavin explained: "It depends on the airline and the specific flight. In many cases, booking the priority boarding package (which usually includes a larger cabin bag) at the time of booking is cheaper than adding luggage separately later.
"However, if you don't need priority boarding but require checked baggage, purchasing baggage on its own might be the better deal. If seat selection isn't important to you, avoiding that extra cost can also help save money." So, if you aren't fussed about stepping on the plane first, you should compare the cost of a single cabin suitcase with the deal, and weigh up your options.
Gavin also advises packing strategically and buying a soft backpack that fits under your seat, as these are usually free to take. "Weigh your luggage at home. Overweight baggage fees at the airport can be costly, so checking your bag's weight in advance can prevent unexpected charges," he said. "And use duty-free loopholes. Some airlines allow an additional duty-free shopping bag onboard, so buying a small item at the airport and using the bag for extra storage can be a clever workaround.".
