A TRAVEL expert has revealed the pricey mistake passengers often make that sees them paying too much for their luggage.
Kyle Potter, executive editor of the website Thrifty Traveler, has given holidaymakers his advice on the best time to add luggage to your basket to make sure it is as affordable as possible.
Potter also recommends sticking to just carry-on bags if possible as often bags are weighed and priced accordingly.
Many airlines even allow for a free carry-on for all your personal belongings on the flight.
But for those airlines who don’t supply free baggage Potter’s tip could be vital.
He says passengers should use the bag cost calculator provided by many airlines to figure out how much any extra luggage will cost – but to always do it before you buy a plane ticket.
Knowing the weight of your luggage means you can adjust your ticket type to suit your baggage needs.
Paying for almost everything costs a lot more at the airport compared to the weeks leading up to your trip so deciding on your luggage allowance pre-flight makes it as cheap as possible.
Potter told the Washington Post: “Adding it to your ticket as you check out is always going to be the cheapest time to do it.
“On some airlines, paying at the airport to check or carry on a bag can cost more than $75.
“It gets pretty disgusting in some cases to pay for that bag at the airport.
“You’ve got to do the mental math at the time you’re booking your flight.”
It comes as a travel guru issued a warning to holidaymakers who are keen to pack their suitcases to the brim this summer.
The expert revealed which items to “never put in your bag”, regardless of how short your flight is.
He cautioned tourists against taking common holiday essentials like adaptors, sun cream, contact lenses and medicine in your checked baggage.
As airport bosses have finally explained why luggage gets delayed more often during hotter weather.
Officials revealed that “safety protocols” can mean it takes longer to unload your bags when the mercury tops 30C.
Another suitcase hack posted online came from radio host Catherine Duranceau who says she travels with a “fragile” sticker on her belongings.
The media personality claims this means loaders will put it above others to prevent it being damaged meaning it is also unloaded first.
Three money-saving travel hacks
READY to escape the dreary weather? Here are some tips on saving cash
TIME TO FLY: Always use a flight comparison site, such as fly-scanner.com or kayak.co.uk, which will search for the cheapest operator on your chosen route.
Airlines release tickets up to a year in advance and, generally, the earlier you book, the cheaper flights are.
This is especially true if you’re planning to fly during peak periods, such as summer holidays.
FLEXIBLE WINS: You’ll be able to find the best deals if you can be flexible on destination or with dates of travel.
Flying midweek is usually the cheapest, while Fridays and Sundays tend to be the most expensive.
If you have set dates in mind, try Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search tool, which will show the cheapest destinations available at those times.
PACKAGE UP: You can usually save cash by opting for an all-inclusive deal over booking flights and hotels separately, according to research by consumer group Which?.
However, it does depend on the destination so it’s worth doing your research.
Spain was found to be cheaper as an all-inclusive, but you would be better off doing a DIY holiday in Portugal’s Algarve.