Travel expert shares £7 luggage hack that could save families hundreds (2025)

Holidaymakers are often stung with large fees for baggage but a travel expert has shared some crafty ways in which you can avoid forking out more money to airlines

As summer draws nearer, millions of Brits will begin planning a much-needed holiday. And for those who haven’t booked yet, many will be looking to secure a last-minute bargain.

But that can be easier said than done with airlines adding on extra charges for baggage. To combat this, Ian McIlrath, Managing Director at ski tour operators Ski Solutions has revealed five unique hacks to help holidaymakers avoid being stung in the airport.

He said: "One of the most common surprises holidaymakers face when booking a holiday is the additional cost of baggage. While many think their checked bags are included, airlines often charge hefty fees for oversized or added luggage, and ski equipment in particular can quickly push a traveller’s baggage into the overweight or oversized categories.

"Clever 'hacks’ can make a significant difference in keeping costs down and prevent being stung at the departure gate.

"Being mindful of these costs and the ways to avoid them ensures that your holiday begins without any unnecessary financial surprises."

To help holidaymakers get around the brutal fees enforced by the airlines, Ian shares some tips on various ways you can beat the baggage charges before you fly:

1. Consider using airline specific cabin bags

Ian says: “Some airlines will charge up to £75 for a slightly oversized hand luggage bag at the boarding gate, even if yours is just a centimetre or two out of the allowed dimensions.

These bags then have to be placed in the hold, meaning you’ll have to wait for your intended carry-on at the other side.

Failure to accept this means you may face the threat of not being able to fly altogether and can often leave holidaymakers in a messy situation.

To combat this, you can find airline specific cabin bags online, typically for less than £7 on retailers such as Amazon. These are designed to be the maximum size specification certain airlines will allow on board, meaning you get optimum luggage space but also don’t end up having to fork out for any extra baggage charges at the gate. Spending £7 to later save yourself £75 feels like a good decision!”

2. Invest in an inflatable travel pillow

Ian says: “Although many airlines may now have caught onto the viral pillow hack, an inflatable travel pillow will provide both comfort and additional luggage capabilities for your next flight.

Ensure the pillow isn’t inflated, and then simply open the pillowcase and store items of clothing here, giving you more room in your main carry-on baggage.

On the flight you can remove the clothing and re-inflate the pillow. It's simple, but it works!”

3. Wear your bulkier clothing on the flight

Ian says: “One of the main reasons people overpack is poor planning. Whilst many go for comfort on a flight, if cost-saving is a top consideration for you, then wearing your bulkier clothing is a good choice.

Airlines won’t count your ski jacket towards your baggage allowance, as long as it’s out of your bag and you’ll have a much easier time trying to pack for your holiday when you aren’t contending with a coat taking up 90% of your space. It also means you’ve got a warm layer handy to put on when the temperatures drop as you travel up to your resort.

By doing this, you could also conceal smaller, more portable cross-body bags under your jacket, to store your personal belongings such as your phone, passport, keys, and travel documents. Of course, you’ll still have to remove these at security, but layering up won’t prevent you from boarding the flight.”

4. Optimise your entire baggage allowance

Ian says: “Baggage allowances on flights are there to be taken advantage of. You are paying for a service, and you should make sure that everyone in your party is optimising their luggage as much as possible.”

“If you are travelling as a family or with young children, instead of giving young ones a small backpack to carry, make use of their baggage allowance by taking on the largest carry-on bag possible.

This will provide more space for you to store your belongings too and utilise your entire family’s hand baggage allowance.

The only downside is that, depending how old the children are, you may need to carry their larger bags for them.”

5. Source an additional carrier bag

Ian says: “If you are struggling for space and you haven’t brought any additional luggage with you other than a cabin bag, or if you are worried that it will be oversized, it is worth buying a bag from one of the shops or duty free to pack any excess items.

“Typically, goods bought in an airport won’t count towards your baggage allowance, including click and collect orders, so you could bend the rules a little bit here by packing a little more into a shopping bag, provided that it’s from a retailer within the airport and not just any old supermarket bag.

“Whilst these tips can be used for packing inspiration, they can never be guaranteed to work, particularly some of the riskier ones, and airline staff unfortunately reserve the right to refuse you service should you be in clear breach of their terms and conditions.”

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