Cheap flight? Leave the bags at home

Checking baggage in at the airport without buying baggage allowance with a budget airline can sometimes cost more than the flight itself. File image: Trezise Paul Source: News Limited

• Travellers charged up to $85 for a baggage
• Bags not pre-booked charged more
• Inexperienced fliers at a disadvantage

TRAVELLERS are being slugged up to $85 to check-in bags at the airport by low-cost carriers.

Tiger Airways charges passengers who don't buy luggage allowance in advance $70 for a 20kg bag for short flights and $85 for longer flights.

People with heavier bags are charged an extra $20 to $25 per kilogram.

Jetstar also charges $70 at the airport for domestic flights for bags weighing up to 15kg on its cheapest fares, while Virgin Australia charges $40.

Matt Levey, from consumer group Choice, said the extra cost can turn a cheap flight into an expensive flight.

"It's part of a changing culture of airlines trying to cut costs and spend as little time as possible dealing one on one with passengers and push as much as they can into online and automated processes,'' he said.

"When you walk into a major Australian airport these days there are fewer staff than ever.''

Mr Levey said inexperienced travellers and those who are not internet savvy could be at a disadvantage.

"Some people may not be set up to navigate these tricks and traps,'' he said.

"If you're not online at all there's a whole other level of hassle and potential costs.''

Tiger Airways spokeswoman Vanessa Regan said the airline wanted to give passengers the ability to pick and choose what, if any, optional extras they wish to pay for.

"We aim to keep costs as low as possible and only charge for what you want,'' she said.

"It is correct that any checked luggage pre-booked online is cheaper than paying for it at the airport, we are not alone in this approach.

"If you let us know how much luggage you're bringing in advance, it saves you more because it allows us to be more efficient at check-in and we can plan for the provision of your bag in advance.

"This saves us time and money and allows us to afford our passengers the same option.''

She said passengers can pre-book a bag during the booking process to save on airport rates and via its call centre up to 72 hours before their flight.

"Shortly we hope to extend the ability to add bags online post booking,'' she said.

A Jetstar spokesman said the carrier always recommend that customers pre-purchase their baggage allowance to avoid being charged more at the airport.

An AirAsia spokesman said passengers can add more luggage online up until four hours before their flight.

"Weight control is a very important aspect in the low cost model,'' he said.

"The more we know about the weight that we will have on-board, the better we can manage our fuel consumption, which means lower costs and lower fares.

"AirAsia offers pre-booking of up to 40kg which is a very generous limit in the industry.''

BAGGAGE FEES

Jetstar:

Costs from $14.50 for 15kg to $45 for 40kg on domestic flights at the time of booking.

$70 at airport for domestic and New Zealand flights for up to 15kg if you buy an Economy Starter fare and don't buy a checked baggage allowance at time of purchase

$160 for international flights

Tiger Airways:

$17.50 if you buy online for 20kg of luggage for flights under 1 hour 45 minutes, $20 for 20kg for over 1 hour and 45 minutes

$60 for 40kg if you buy online for flights under 1 hour and 45 minutes, $80 for 40kg for flights over 1 hour and 45 minutes

$70 for 20kg if you buy at the airport for flights under 1 hour and 45 minutes plus $20 per extra kilogram, $85 if you buy at the airport for flights over 1 hour and 45 minutes plus $25 per extra kilogram

Virgin Australia:

Pre-purchase not available on saver lite fares

$40 for first additional piece, $60 for second additional piece if you buy at airport

Qantas:

One piece of luggage up to 23kg free on domestic economy flights and most international flights in economy/premium economy

AirAsia X:

$21 for up to 15kg if you pre-book online, $27 for up to 20kg

$45 for up to 15kg at the airport and $20 per kg over 15kg

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