Decide what you need before you book
Baggage costs are easiest to manage when you think about them at the start, not at the check-in desk. Before choosing a fare, picture the trip: how many nights, what activities, what weather. If you will clearly need a checked bag, compare the cost of adding one to a basic fare with the cost of a fare that already includes it.
On AeroVista, the Classic fare includes an 8 kg cabin bag and a 23 kg checked bag, as well as seat choice and priority boarding. If you were going to add those individually anyway, the bundled fare can be the simpler option.
Add bags online, not at the desk
Airlines almost always charge more for bags added at the airport than online. With AeroVista, a checked bag costs 29 euros when added online but 49 euros at the airport. A cabin bag add-on is 12 euros online. You can add bags through Manage Booking any time before the flight, so if your plans change a few days before departure, it is still worth doing it in advance.
If you are unsure whether you need the extra bag, it is usually cheaper to add it and not use it than to pay the airport rate on the day.
Weigh and measure at home
An inexpensive handheld luggage scale pays for itself quickly. Weigh your checked bag after packing and again before you leave, since last-minute additions add up. Measure cabin bags with wheels and handles included, and remember that soft bags expand when full.
If your checked bag is slightly over the standard allowance, it may be possible to pay for extra weight rather than a second bag. On AeroVista, extra weight between 23 and 32 kg is charged at 25 euros. Anything heavier usually needs to be split into another bag.
Plan for the return trip
Bags tend to get heavier on the way home, thanks to souvenirs, local food and the jumper you bought because the weather turned. Leave a little spare weight on the outbound flight, wear your heaviest items on the plane and, if you are travelling with someone, balance the weight between your bags if you each have an allowance.
Finally, double-check your booking confirmation before leaving for the airport. It lists exactly which bags are included, so there are no surprises in the queue.
Good to know
- Buy a luggage scale and weigh bags the night before and the morning of departure.
- Add any extra bags in Manage Booking rather than at the airport.
- Leave a couple of kilos spare for the journey home.