A consumer expert and former British Airways stewardess has shared her advice to help Brits avoid costly airline fees.
With most airlines charging extra for priority boarding, seat selection and even carry-on luggage, Jane Hawkes, founder of the ladyjaney.co.uk consumer advice website, is telling customers ‘not to trust the headline fare.’
“Those additional charges often catch people out because the system is designed to make the ticket price look like a bargain and lure you in,” says Jane.
“But the cheapest ticket rarely reflects the true price: it’s clickbait.”
“The best defence is slowing down, checking every extra and keeping evidence because once you reach the airport, your bargaining power disappears.”
Instead, Jane says you should make a comparison of prices once you have reached the end of the booking process.
And she also says passengers should read the details about luggage carefully and make sure they check that the case they want to take with them meets the requirements.
“Over one-fifth of passengers in 2024 paid excess baggage charges at airports which can range from £12 per kg over the allowance to £18 for a long-haul flight.
“For a family of four with a few extra kilos, that can add hundreds to the cost of a flight.”
Here are Jane’s tips for avoiding extra airline fees.
- Don’t trust the headline fare
The cheapest ticket rarely reflects the true price so always click through to the final payment page before comparing. Look carefully at charges for bags, seats, and payment method and compare airlines using the total journey cost. The biggest rip-offs happen when travellers only compare base fares.
Any mandatory fees such as account booking fees, cancellation fees, administration fees, check in fees, boarding card reissuing fees, missed departure fees and flight amendment fees should be made clear before booking.
- Travel with hand baggage only
Over limit baggage fees are a big money maker for airlines, often earning them more than they would for commercial freight so travel with hand luggage only.
Pack carefully with a capsule wardrobe so you can have different outfits with a limited number of items and roll your clothes as this makes better use of space, or use packing cubes.
You can also buy travel toiletries at the airport, wear your biggest shoes and layer on the layers.
- Check baggage requirements
Don’t assume because you took a bag with one airline you will be able to use it for all of them. Check the dimensions provided by the carrier and measure your bag as well as weighing it when it is fully packed. You should aim to be 1-2 kg under to allow for any scale differences.
Don’t forget to also include handles and wheels as these count towards the dimensions. Low cost airlines are the ones who are most likely to have the metal sizer at the departure gate.
If you had adhered to instructions on website but your bag does not fit the sizer, ensure you raise an official complaint so as to recoup any unfair charges levied. Protect yourself by collating evidence such as photographing your bag in the airport sizer, screenshotting baggage allowance during booking and keeping boarding passes and receipts.
You can share weight among your group if your carrier permits pooling of baggage allowances but make sure you check your specific terms and conditions.
- Take your time during booking
Airline booking systems are designed to rush decisions. Make sure you read every pop-up and upsell screen, untick auto-added extras and review basket before paying. Most accidental purchases happen because travellers feel pressured to click quickly.
- Don’t pay for seat allocations
Most airline systems will try to seat groups on the same booking so don’t assume you need to pay for costly seat allocation. If you check in early enough you should be able to get seats together without paying extra.
If you don’t mind where you sit, there’s no need to pay to pre-book. Some fares include free seat reservations or allow you to choose your seat at the time of booking. Alternatively, you can ask the crew regarding seat changes when onboard. Depending on passenger loads they may be able to accommodate your request.
- Use a flight comparison site
Comparison sites will give you a good idea of general costs but book directly with the airline to get the best price with no additional charges. It also makes it much easier if you need to raise a complaint or request a refund or amendment.
- Book a cost-effective package holiday
By booking altogether you’re covering all aspects of your trip including luggage allowances and any seat preferences. Opt for flexible bookings so that you can make changes or cancel, if necessary, without facing any kind of financial penalty.
