In general, each passenger is allowed to bring up to 7kg of carry-on baggagefor free, according to Finder.
You can boost this baggage allowance by pre-purchasing the top-up. The costs may vary according to the trip length. For example, in flights from Sydney to Melbourne, Jetstar will charge $18 to increase your carry-on limit to 10kg, while TigerAir will cost you $17 to go up to a 12kg limit.
Checked baggage is also a great option, especially if you are unable to travel light. For a 20kg allowance, you will pay $18 at TigerAir or $23 at Jetstar.
However, it is important to remember that these pricings only apply if you add the extra weight allowance at the time of booking. If you only realise your luggage is way over the limit when you get to the airport, the fees for adding some extra kilos will go up significantly.
For instance, Jetstar will demand $30 at the gate for the 10kg carry-on option, while TigerAir will take $36 for 12kg cabin baggage.
If you have bigger suitcases and need to check in on the spot, the costs will go up even more. Checking in a 20kg baggage at TigerAir will cost you $85, while Jetstar will ask for $135 – almost six times more expensive than the pre-booked price!
Planning ahead will help you avoid these fees. Research the baggage limits for your airline and pack accordingly wherever possible. If you are going on a shopping spree or travelling with heavy items, it is recommended to pay upfront for excess baggage when making your booking.
Invest in a portable luggage scale, so you can weigh your bags before heading to the airport. With both Jetstar and TigerAir, you can add baggage to an existing booking via their website or customer contact centre – the charges will sting your wallet a little still, but they won’t be as expensive as the airport prices.
Have you ever been stung by these charges when checking in? Tell us in the comments below.
This article was written in partnership with Over 60.