A travel expert has shared a simple tip to avoid unexpected baggage fees when flying with budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air – and it’s all to do with your hand luggage
A travel expert has spilled the beans on the one type of carry-on you should steer clear of when jetting off with budget airlines if you want to skip the nasty surprise of extra baggage fees. Chelsea, dishing out her savvy advice on TikTok under the username Cheap Holiday Expert, warned travellers against opting for small wheeled suitcases as their complimentary cabin bag on no-frills flights with the likes of Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air.
She pointed out that although these carriers offer a free small bag allowance, those nifty little cases on wheels often breach the size limits, landing flyers with additional costs at boarding. In her popular TikTok clip, Chelsea advised: “Stop taking suitcases as your small cabin bag on any of these airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air. The staff will see the wheels and think that bag is too big, and truth is, it probably is.”
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Chelsea didn’t just talk the talk; she walked it by putting various bags to the test in airline baggage sizers, only to discover that most wheeled suitcases are a no-go, potentially leaving passengers out of pocket for an upgrade or having to check in their luggage.
Even some bags touted as “approved” for cabin use turned out to be too chunky to fit into the sizer. Ditching the suitcase for a soft backpack is the way to go, according to Chelsea, as it’s more likely to squish down to meet those stingy size restrictions, even when packed to the brim.
“There are some suitcases on the market that will just about fit, but most of them are a total no-go. Instead, you are much better off using a soft backpack, which you can squeeze your stuff in,” she recommended.
Many frequent travellers agree with Chelsea’s tip, commenting that swapping a rigid suitcase for a flexible backpack has helped them avoid extra fees and board hassle-free, reports the Express.
Budget airlines are strict about hand luggage sizes, and airport staff often target wheeled bags, assuming they won’t fit in the free allowance.
With baggage fees rising and airlines cracking down on oversized cabin bags, opting for a backpack over a suitcase could save passengers money and plenty of stress on their next trip.
