My Dream Vacations

Note the number of bags you can check in. In most cases, it is one or two pieces per person. But the most important is the weight. For most airlines, the max COMBINED weight is 20kgs (44lbs) or 23kgs (50lbs) for checked baggage, for economy class travelers,  unless otherwise is stated by the airline or the rules of the specific route or  the air fare.

Max allowance also depends on the class of service. There are some air tickets that are very cheap and there is no baggage allowance, only a carry-on bag of specific dimensions and weight and these fares are usually used by:

• Businessmen traveling on business (short or day trips)
• Single day travelers
• Travelers who prefer to send their luggage by cargo using, usually, the same airline (this needs to be arranged in advance) or by other ways, like using a company like Carry My Luggage to do so. This second option is more expensive than sending luggage by cargo.

By using these alternates will save you money and time since:

1. You can carry more weight than it’s allowed
2. You won’t have to wait on long ques at the airport to drop or pick up your luggage. 

Remark: Before choosing you have to make some calculations and compare the TOTAL cost

For Example

1. Air Ticket (with baggage allowance) 
2. Air Ticket (with baggage allowance) + surcharge for extra weight
3. Air Ticket (superior class) with More Baggage Allowance
4. Low-Cost Air Ticket (no baggage allowance) + Luggage send by cargo
5. Low-Cost Air Ticket (no baggage allowance) + Luggage send by other means of transportation
6. Any combination applies to your choice

Keep also in mind that some low-cost airlines charge for checked baggage which is something that in most cases, the “low-cost air ticket” becomes … “very high-cost” and travelers need to take this into account when choosing an airline.

Excess Baggage

In the case, you exceed the max allowance weight for checked luggage you will have to pay for that extra weight and some airlines charge a significant amount of money for that. The most common rule for the amount per kg or lb is the following.

• Low-cost airline (approx 20kgs allowance): cheap ticket = high amount to be charged per extra kg/lb
• Normal Economy (approx 23kgs allowance): economy class = reasonable amount per extra kg/lb
• Busines/First Class (approx allowance 30kgs): business/first class ticket = lower charge per extra kg/lb

What I mean with the above example

Low-cost airlines have a lower margin of profit since they already offer cheap air tickets to travelers but the cost of traveling remains low when travelers do not expect or require anything more than offered (i.e. extra luggage, meals, drinks etc).

By using a Regular Airline things are different and have more dimensions and parameters since everything depends on:

• The Class of Service (Economy, Business, First class)
• The Air Fare (Very or No Restricted)
• The Route (Short, Medium, Long range)
• The equipment (aircraft type) used on the selected route

As you can see things are not easy and I cannot give you a strict and precise rule of engagement to follow. So the best thing to do is to read the baggage allowance policyfor the selected trip and comply with it.

Special Note: All these years I’ve seen travelers trying to “bargain” with the check-in personnel of the airlines to let them carry the extra weight with no charge or to charge them for less weight. Well, this is something that it shouldn’t be asked or even think about it because the airlines have to follow specific rules issued by IATA (International Air Trasport Association) so, all Operations Officers need to have real and valid data in order to issue a correct and accurate Aircraft Performance Sheets based on actual weights and all Flight Crews need to know the REAL weight they are carrying on board the aircraft, make their take-off calculations and set up the aircraft for the flight correctly. I won’t get deeper into that since I believe that you got my point. The only thing that you have to have in mind is that Safety Comes First!

How To Select The Right Suitcase

• Save precious weight by selecting an extra light suitcase.
• The life of a suitcase is about 10 years, and a good one will come with a guarantee for failure of parts such as zips, wheels and handles.
• Expensive models are generally better designed and have better-quality components. Unfortunately, they are just as likely to be lost.
• It is a delusion that a designer suitcase will offer you something extraordinary different than a regular – cheaper one. On the contrary … it might be attracted by a thief.
• Size is always crucial. If you get an extra large one, won’t fit into the boot of a taxi or hired car. Getting a very small one, will make you over-stress the frame and the compounds which will shorten its life. Buying an expandable 66cm (26in) case is considered as  a great buy for a two-week trip. You also have the chance to adjust the size according to your needs. Over-loaded suitcases and significant under-loaded suitcases have almost the same chances to be damaged.
• Two wheels or four? Four tend to make larger cases easier to manoeuvre, particularly if each wheel swivels rather than locks into position. Wheeling is not always possible, so ensure you are able to lift your packed case up a flight of stairs. That can be easily achieved when the suitcase’s wheels at the back are larger than those at the front and there is a handbrake.
• Handles should be long enough to tow comfortably and preferably pop-up rather than pull-up. Avoid leashes: you will end up dragging your case along on its side.
• Hard- or soft-sided? A hard shell can add 4-5kgs (10lbs) in dead weight but does offer contents more protection from damage, thieves and sudden downpours. But a soft-sided case will look smarter for longer and is less unwieldy when storage space is limited.
• Most suitcases on any baggage claim area are black. Try something different and get a coloured one or add a coloured strap or a ribbon tied to the handle to make the difference.