What happens if your luggage is overweight – How To Deal With This Situation
Have you ever experienced the frustration of dealing with overweight luggage? If that’s the case you’re well aware of how inconvenient it can be. It not only means charges but also makes it challenging to carry around a bulky suitcase.
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If your luggage exceeds the weight restriction, you typically have two options: pay the additional weight fee or remove some items to bring the weight down to the permitted level.
Let’s explore more what happens if your luggage is overweight and how to avoid it. Read on to learn more!
Navigating Your Baggage Allowance: A Guide to Air Travel Essentials
Baggage allowance is a critical aspect of air travel, outlining the parameters of the luggage you can bring on board. This allowance is divided into two categories.
1. Hand Luggage:
- Carry-On Baggage: Essential Items to Keep with You; Commonly referred to as carry-on baggage or cabin luggage this is the luggage that you carry with you during the flight.
- Allowance, for Two Pieces: Typically airlines allow passengers to bring two bags as carry-on baggage. One of them can be stored in the compartment following dimensions and requiring self-lifting.
- Criteria for Under-the-Seat Space: The second piece should be compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you accommodating items, like handbags or versatile backpacks.
2. Hold Luggage:
- Plane’s Cargo Hold: The cargo hold of an airplane is where checked luggage or larger baggage is stored during travel.
- Weight Allocation: Airlines typically have a weight allowance, for checked luggage of around 23kg, per passenger. However, this can vary depending on the airline.
- Additional Weight Options: If your baggage exceeds the specified limit some airlines provide the option to buy weight for your luggage.
Read: Travel Backpack Guide: Is A 50L Backpack Big Enough For You?
What happens if your luggage is overweight
You may be charged an overweight fee by the airline
Air travel is a way to quickly reach your destination. However, it’s important to be mindful of the weight limit, for your luggage to avoid any charges.
Some airlines provide guidelines, for luggage size and weight. It’s crucial to check their website before booking your ticket.
To prevent any fees make sure you weigh your luggage before heading to the airport. Being prepared and avoiding bags can help save you from any expenses. If you need a measurement of your luggage’s weight you can consider purchasing a weighing scale.
Know Your Fees: Extra Baggage, Extra Costs
Understanding airline fees is crucial when packing for your trip. Remember, if your extra bag is too heavy or too big, you’ll face three separate charges.
1- One fee for bringing an extra bag,
2- Another for going over the weight limit,
3- and a third for surpassing the size limit.
Keep in mind, that these fees apply to each extra bag for each part of your journey.
Related: How Much Luggage Can I Take on International Flight – 2023 Guide
Your luggage may be more difficult to carry
It can be quite a hassle to lug around luggage that turns out to be heavier than expected! Unfortunately, it’s common, for luggage to exceed the weight limit. This can be difficult to gauge until you reach the airport.
Struggling to fit everything into your bags in order to avoid fees is not an experience. The time you’re preparing for a trip make sure to check the weight of your luggage in advance and save yourself from trouble.
Guide: Are Luggage Trackers Worth It? – Best Luggage Trackers Of 2023
The contents of your luggage may be damaged if it’s too heavy
When packing for your next trip, be mindful of how much weight your luggage carries! Sure, you might think a pair of shoes or a few extra souvenirs are worth bringing along.
However, when the combined weight exceeds the capacity of a bag it can put strain on its internal framework and heighten the risk of potential damage, to any valuable belongings contained within.
Taking a moment to double-check that your baggage isn’t overweight could save you plenty of headaches. Now get out there and enjoy your travels with peace of mind!
Overweight Fee which Different Airlines Charge
| Airlines | Allowed Weight limit | Overweight Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | up to 50 lbs/23kgs | 51-70 lbs / $100 71-100lbs/ $200 |
| American Airline | up to 50 lbs/23kgs | 51-70 lbs/ $100 71-100 lbs/ $200 |
| Alaska Airline | up to 50 lbs/23kgs | 51-100 lb / $100 |
| Jet Blue | up to 50 lbs/23kgs | 51-100 lbs/ $150 |
| SouthWest | up to 50 lbs/23kgs | 51-70 lbs/ $100 71-100 lbs/ $125 |
Read Next: Where Can I Weigh My Luggage For Free – Useful Traveling Hack
How to Deal with an Overweight Luggage
What do you do when you find out that your suitcase is overweight just as you’re about to weigh it at the airport? With people waiting behind you and time running out, there are generally four options, for those who believe or know that their luggage exceeds the limit.
Pay at airport
When paying at the airport it’s important to note that it may not always result in saving money. The charges, for suitcases can differ based on the airport, destination, and class of travel. However, these fees are not always budget-friendly.
Put it in your carry-on bag
If your suitcase is too full you can avoid the hassle of weighing it during check-in by moving some items into a carry-on bag. Don’t have one? No problem. Just grab a plastic bag from any store, in the terminal. Start packing it up!
Depending on the rules set by your airline you may be allowed to bring two bags with you. One handbag or laptop case along, with another piece of luggage. Just ensure that both bags comply with their size and weight restrictions before bringing them on board.
Send the suitcase to your destination in advance
Luggage delivery services are becoming increasingly popular. It’s clear why. Of worrying about the fees, for carrying a heavy suitcase you can conveniently send your belongings directly to your accommodation.
This does not eliminate many of the anxieties associated with air travel. Also saves time allowing travelers to reach their destination smoothly and without any inconvenience or delay.
Share the weight
If you are planning a group journey, why not lighten the load? Divide up your belongings with those traveling alongside you. Take advantage of every opportunity – ask family members to help, and see if there is additional space in any of the children’s bags. Anything left over can be split among everyone!
Final Words:
In summary, if your luggage is overweight during your travels it can cause problems and unexpected expenses. Airlines usually enforce weight restrictions. Going over them may lead to extra charges for your baggage. These rules are, in place to ensure the efficiency and safety of their flights.
To have a hassle-free journey it’s essential to weigh and organize your luggage beforehand follow airline guidelines diligently and only pack what is truly needed.
FAQs about What happens if your luggage is overweight
When you find yourself dealing with luggage it’s important to stay calm and consider your options. Here are a few suggestions;
1. Take a moment to rearrange the items, inside your luggage. You can easily redistribute the weight to meet the airline’s requirements. If you have objects try transferring them to your carry-on bag.
2. Another option is to leave behind any items or consider buying products at your destination instead of carrying them with you. This will help lighten your load.
3. If you’re wearing coats, jackets or long boots consider wearing them or packing them in your suitcase. It can help reduce the weight of your luggage.
4. Lastly make use of your carry-on bag by putting items, like electronics or books in it while maximizing the allowance for belongings.
Remember that these suggestions can help ensure that you comply with airline regulations and make traveling more convenient for you.
Yes, extra baggage may usually be purchased at the airport. Many airlines provide passengers the choice of paying for extra baggage at the check-in counter or a separate counter for that purpose.
Remember that purchasing an additional weight allowance online before your travel may be less expensive than paying for extra luggage at the airport.
Most airlines charge an extra fee between $100 to $200 if luggage is over 50 lbs. If luggage weight falls under 50 lbs – no extra fee.
It depends on the airline’s weighing policy, and how strict or lenient is specific airline. Mostly they do not bother if your hand luggage is slightly heavy but do not exceed the size limit. In the case of checked luggage, you have to pay an extra baggage fee or you can shift your content to hand luggage.
