Don’t get caught out by expensive hidden fees when you travel this summer, warns MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry
The summer is approaching and that means many of us go on a long-anticipated holiday abroad. But flying can bring with it extra hidden costs that turn your bargain vacation into a costly experience.
Look out for these hidden fees and make sure you know how to avoid them, to keep your cash for spending on your holiday adventures instead!
Don’t get caught out by cabin bag sizes
You might have seen the viral videos about people being stopped at the gate before they board a flight, asked to measure their bag and it suddenly ‘doesn’t fit’ according to the gate agent. Even when it looks like it does!
This is because some airlines offer a financial incentive to staff to charge oversized baggage fees. So, even if your bag fitted when you checked in, you’re then told at the gate you can’t board until you pay the oversized bag fee.
You can avoid this by checking the airline’s cabin bag size rules before you fly. Make sure you include your handles, zips, and wheels within those dimensions, as these are often what catches people out.
Avoid luggage weight fines
Invest in a portable scale to weigh your luggage – it could save you a fortune in excess weight fees. This is particularly important on your return leg of the journey, because you’re likely to have picked up a few souvenirs to bring back.
Try to take the lightest bag possible, too. Heavy cases add expensive weight to your luggage that doesn’t need to be there. Some luggage ranges are specially designed to be super-light, like the new Gomatic Method bags or classic Samsonite and Antler ranges.
Share checked luggage
When travelling with other people, plan ahead. You could save on checked luggage if you are able to share one checked bag between two people, especially if you avoid doubling up on essentials.
For example, instead of both taking up space with shampoo and conditioner (which is also very heavy, adding excess weight) decide on the brand you both like. You can also share tech, such as tablets, if you want to download things to watch together – a headphone splitter like the TwelveSouth AirFly Pro lets both of you listen to any device with wireless headphones at the same time (which also means you’ll save on having to carry a pair of wired headphones for the flight entertainment system, too).
Think about double-duty items, too. For example, a foldable multi-charger like the QDOS Snap Stand charges your phone, headphones, and watch as well as acts like a phone stand – but hardly takes up any space in your cabin bag at all.
Try sharing devices, too. Many people like to take a tablet or laptop with downloaded movies, for example. But if you’re in a couple, consider only taking one between you to save on space.
Save by doing laundry
Laundry doesn’t sound like a fun holiday task, but it doesn’t take very long and could save you a chunk of cash. If you’re the kind of person who thinks you need an outfit for everything plus some spares, packing light might strike fear into your heart. However, a capsule wardrobe is all you need for a week or more if you plan on doing some laundry while away.
Take sheet detergent, which is very portable and means you can wash your undies and a top or two in any kind of hotel room. This helps you reduce your bag weight to avoid fines, save on hotel laundry costs, and means you have space in your bag to pick up a souvenir t-shirt or two!
Check your passport in good time
The worst thing that could happen (other than forgetting your passport entirely) is turning up to the airport to realise you don’t have enough time left on your passport to travel. You might think that you’ve got a few months left before you need to renew, but think again! Most countries require a minimum of six months left on your passport validity before they let you in (three months for most of Europe – but make sure you check).
You can renew your passport online. If it’s a straightforward replacement renewal, it should arrive in three weeks or less. However, if you need a passport urgently, you can attend a passport office after completing your application to receive it within either one week or one day (although the earliest you can get a passport office appointment is two days after applying). It costs £222 for a 1-day urgent passport or £178 for a one-week passport. A standard passport turnaround time costs £94.50 online or £107 on a paper form – so you can see that a last-minute application could cost you over £100 extra!
Shop around for airport transfer travel deals
Airport parking is often hugely expensive. If you can travel by train, it is more cost-effective in many cases. You could even apply for a Railcard in many circumstances, saving a third on rail fees, too.
If you need to drive and park at the airport, check on cashback sites to find airport parking deals. You can nab some great discounts and also get some cashback on the booking to reduce the price further. Avoid valet parking, which is not only more expensive (for the convenience) but also might not be covered by your car’s insurance. So, if something happens while your away, you may struggle to claim damages.
For those with flights that leave early in the day, it can also be worth bundling airport parking with a hotel. This also helps reduce stress of travelling at peak times and possibly missing your flight (which could cost you the holiday!). Search and compare prices and options with an online comparison tool like TravelSupermarket to work out the cheapest parking options.
Some of the brands and websites we mention may be, or may have been, a partner of MoneyMagpie.com. However, we only ever mention brands we believe in and trust, so it never influences who we prioritise and link to.