Make sure you read the small print when travelling with UK low cost airlines, otherwise you may be in for a painful shock to the wallet. Low cost airlines have been at the forefront over the past 15 years in reducing the cost to travelling to destinations across Europe and continue to do so with eye catching savings advertised online and in newspapers, however, you must adhere rigidly to their baggage allowances or the consequences can be dire with the excess charge costing more than the flight.
In January this year, over 20 of us travelled to Malaga in Spain to play golf and we all passed through East Midlands airport on our outward journey without an hitch , however, our return from Malaga airport was a completely different kettle of fish altogether.
Firstly they refused to allow us to group our allowances despite all being booked on the same confirmation and several of us breached either the individual item check in baggage allowance or the combined.
To elaborate, we were allowed an overall travel allowance of 50 kg but 32 Kg for an individual item.
My golf clubs came to 39KG and my total baggage 52kg and they were looking to charge me 7 kg for the individual and 2 kg for the overall, at a cost of £15 a kilo or a total excess charge of £135 which was more than £25 the cost of the flight.5 of us stood to pay nearly £750 in excess charges. To overcome this, we distributed the excess kilos between us and took it on as hand luggage, where we were allowed 5 kg each. Taking the 5 kg into account we were well below the overall weight allowance but breached the imposed distribution of this weight.
Taking golf balls etc out of of our bags caused mayhem and held up the check in process and it was clear that the check in desk clerks were under strict orders to impose these measures with increased revenue the overall objective.
I am going to buy a digital weighing device which I am sure will save me money.
Baggage Charges by Low Cost Flyers Can Be Severe