luggage

ONE in five holidaymakers have crammed at least a week’s worth of luggage into a carry-on bag this summer to avoid expensive fees.

A poll of 2,000 adults who travel found an ambitious 11 per cent reckon they could squeeze 10 days or more of holiday essentials into hand luggage alone.

While five per cent would even attempt to fit everything they need for a two-week holiday into a single cabin bag.

It also emerged 58 per cent admitted they’ll go to great lengths to avoid splashing out on expensive checked luggage fees.

Half will roll clothes as tightly as possible to save space, and 44 per cent will carefully plan outfits so they can wear the same clothes more than once.

While 34 per cent will wear their bulkiest clothes while travelling and one in five will ditch physical books in favour of a tablet to save precious bag space.

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And a savvy 13 per cent have used a duty-free carrier bag to sneak extra belongings onto the plane.

But it’s not just clothes and holiday essentials getting the space-saving treatment, as 72 per cent think their smartphone is the most important item they pack for their holiday after their passport.

The research, commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold8, found that when packing, smartphones replace cameras (62 per cent), maps (55 per cent) and boarding passes (45 per cent) while abroad.

Four in five (81 per cent) prefer their smartphone to be compact enough to fit easily into a pocket or small bag, as they increasingly do the job of multiple holiday essentials.

With 69 per cent saying the size and portability of their device is important, as it can do almost everything they need from one item, replacing other items they may need to pack (41 per cent).

Spokesperson Annika Bizon said: “I’m quite ruthless about what earns its place in my luggage when I’m travelling.

“When you’re trying to pack for a weekend away, or even a family holiday, every bit of space counts, so I love anything that can do more than one job.

“Technology is a big part of that.”

Almost three quarters (74 per cent) said they have booked, or would consider booking, a holiday at the last minute – making lighter, more flexible travel increasingly appealing.

The study from OnePoll.com found a third of travellers prefer to travel light, with 58 per cent claiming it makes the journey easier.

In fact, almost half (48 per cent) consider it a badge of honour when they successfully squeeze their carry-on bag into an airline bag sizer at the airport.

But 52 per cent worried their carry-on will be deemed too big when taking a flight, with 36 per cent having previously struggled to fit their carry-on within the maximum size limit.

And three in 10 have had to pay an average of £39 because their carry-on was deemed too big.

Annika Bizon, from Samsung, added: “If one device can help you navigate, keep your travel documents to hand, capture the moments you want to remember and provide on-the-go entertainment, there’s no need for extra items.

“For me, technology really earns its place when it makes life simpler, and Galaxy Z Fold8 is a prime example of that.”

Holidaymakers may be entitled to claim compensation when an airline loses, damages or delays their luggage

Holidaymakers facing the misery of lost, damaged or delayed luggage could be entitled to compensation from their airline – but they need to act quickly.

Passengers arriving at their destination only to discover their suitcase has failed to make the journey with them have legal rights that can help them recover some of the costs. Citizens Advice says travellers have the right to claim compensation from an airline when checked-in luggage is delayed, lost or damaged. But there are important deadlines – and passengers should report a problem as soon as possible.

The consumer advice charity warns that the rules for cabin baggage are different. You can generally only claim for a problem with hand luggage where the airline was at fault.

Don’t leave it too late

Citizens Advice says holidaymakers should report missing or damaged luggage to the airline straight away. At the airport, this will normally involve completing a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the baggage claims area.

Passengers should keep a copy of the PIR, or obtain written confirmation from the airline if they report the problem later. Making a report does not necessarily mean a compensation claim has been made. Passengers will normally still need to submit a separate claim unless the airline agrees to pay certain expenses upfront.

There are strict deadlines

One of the biggest traps is assuming there is plenty of time to make a claim.

Citizens Advice says the usual deadlines are:

• Damaged luggage: claim within seven days of receiving it.
• Missing or damaged contents: claim within seven days of receiving the luggage.
• Delayed or missing luggage: claim within 21 days of the flight.
• Luggage not returned within 21 days: it is officially treated as lost, meaning passengers should make a claim as soon as possible.

A suitcase that eventually turns up after several days does not necessarily mean a passenger has lost their right to compensation. Citizens Advice says it is still possible to claim for delayed luggage if it is returned within the 21-day period.

What can you claim for?

The compensation available from an airline is generally limited. For delayed luggage, this can include the cost of essential items needed while waiting for the suitcase, such as toiletries and underwear.

Passengers may also be able to claim some of the cost of repairing or replacing luggage and its contents if they are lost or damaged. If a traveller has to collect delayed luggage themselves, says they may also be able to recover reasonable transport costs.

But holidaymakers should not assume they will receive the full replacement value of everything inside a suitcase. Airlines will often ask for receipts and proof of purchase, while Citizens Advice warns that they will not normally pay ‘new for old’ replacement costs.

There can also be restrictions around valuable, fragile or perishable items packed in checked luggage. Total compensation is generally limited to around £1,000 and is often considerably less.

Passengers cannot normally claim for stress or inconvenience caused by the luggage problem, or for knock-on problems such as missing a connection.

Keep every scrap of evidence

Anyone making a claim should keep hold of their paperwork.

Citizens Advice says airlines will usually expect passengers to provide documents such as:

• their boarding pass;
• luggage tags showing the identification number;
• the PIR or written confirmation that the problem was reported;
• receipts for emergency purchases made because of delayed luggage;
• proof of purchase for lost or damaged belongings;
• photographs showing damage; and
• estimates for the cost of repairs where relevant.

Travellers should keep copies of their claim and the original documents.

How to make the claim

Passengers should check with their airline to find out how it wants compensation claims submitted. If there is no specific claim form, Citizens Advice says travellers may need to write to the airline’s customer service department.

The charity advises making clear that the claim is being made under the Montreal Convention. The claim should include details of the flight, including the date, flight number, departure point and destination.

Travellers should explain what happened, set out the amount being claimed and provide a detailed list of the luggage or contents that were lost or damaged. Any essential items bought because of the delay should also be listed, with copies of supporting receipts and other evidence.

What if several airlines were involved?

Passengers travelling on connecting flights operated by different airlines may be able to claim against any of them. However, Citizens Advice says most airlines expect the claim to be made against the last airline boarded.

An airline cannot simply refuse to deal with a claim because another carrier was involved. If a passenger gets nowhere they can seek advice from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

What if the airline rejects your claim?

Holidaymakers who are unhappy with an airline’s response can take the matter further. Citizens Advice recommends first trying to resolve the complaint through the appropriate process.

The CAA can take up complaints against airlines or airports in certain circumstances, although its role depends on whether the airline or airport belongs to an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme. As a last resort, passengers can consider taking a case to the small claims court.

A luggage claim can generally be taken to court within two years of the flight, although court action can be costly and time-consuming.

Check your insurance too

There is another option that could prove easier and more generous. Citizens Advice says that if luggage is covered by travel insurance or a home contents policy, making an insurance claim may be preferable.

This is because insurance can potentially provide more money and may be easier to claim through than pursuing the airline.

Passengers needing further help can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or use its online service.

The charity also advises checking the specific rules applying to the airline, as individual procedures and deadlines can vary. More information here.

A MAJOR airline has issued a luggage warning about items nearly everyone take on holiday with them.

Jet2 has warned travellers heading on holiday to carry two electronic items in their hand luggage, not their hold luggage.

Power banks and e-cigarettes need to be carried in hand luggage and should be kept under the seat instead of overhead lockers.

Items containing a lithium battery, which includes power banks and e-cigarettes, must be switched off, packed safely and carried in hand luggage.

Any electrical items or lithium batteries that are damaged are not allowed on board.

And if you plan on travelling with a hoverboard or balance wheel that has a lithium battery, it cannot go in hand luggage or hold luggage.

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David Hills, Chief Customer Officer at Jet2, said: “Lots of customers travel with everyday items such as power banks and e-cigarettes, so this is a simple but important reminder to check where they are packed before setting off for the airport.

“These items are common, but they do need to be carried correctly, and doing so helps us keep everyone safe while they travel to enjoy their well-deserved holidays.”

The reminder follows a number of lithium battery incidents on a number of flights over the past couple of years.

Back in May, an easyJet flight travelling from Egypt to the UK was forced to divert to Rome after a passenger revealed they had left a phone connected and charging via a power bank in their checked luggage.

In July last year, a power bank caught fire on a Bangkok Airways flight from Samui to Hong Kong.

The CAA’s power bank rules are as follows:

• Power banks must be carried in carry‑on baggage
• Power banks must be individually protected when not in use
• Power banks must not be recharged on board the aircraft
• Power banks should not be used to charge other portable electronic devices on board the aircraft
• Maximum of two power banks per person

A savvy traveller shared a simple £6.50 packing hack that could slash your suitcase weight by over 2kg, potentially helping you dodge costly excess baggage fees at the airport

A woman shared how she spent £6.50 to ditch over 2kg from her suitcase thanks to a sneaky life hack she now uses on every flight because it really works.

There’s nothing worse than rocking up to the airport and being told your luggage is overweight and having to pay for the extra kilograms, as they really do not come cheap. It can get your holiday off to a grim start, and could make you feel the opposite of relaxed, which is how you want to feel when you’re about to explore another country. Plus, the last thing you want to do is ditch your hair masks, body creams, and toner pads at the airport because they weigh a lot.

That’s why Poppy Adams shared the perfect solution to keep your cash where it belongs. Poppy revealed her hair and skincare products alone weighed in at 2.5kg because they all come in large containers, and she has far too many outfits to pack to justify carrying that much weight.

She branded it the “best weight and space saver for your suitcase,” acknowledging her “clothes overpacking has got better with age,” but her “toiletries have got worse”.

What’s her solution?

Poppy explained she has a “very simple solution” and demonstrated how you can make all your creams and hair products fit “into the palm of your hand”.

She revealed you need some cosmetic sample jars, which she bought from Amazon for £6.49, and they also include stickers so you can label each one, eliminating any confusion about what’s where, plus you receive spatulas for easy transfer.

Poppy detailed how she decided which product would go in which containers based on the pot size, and then she decanted the products accordingly.

She also noted if you “have products that you know work really well together, you can pre-mix them in your little pots so you don’t have to do that when you’re on holiday”.

Poppy packed essentials, including snail mucin, toner pads, a hair mask, and a glowy foundation, for her holiday, making sure she had everything she needed while away.

She joked it “low-key feels like when you were a kid, and you used to play potions,” as she blended all her body moisturisers together.

Once everything had been decanted, she weighed it once more, and it came in at just 326g, saving a whopping 2.2kg.

Reaction

Many people were amazed by the hack as one said: “That’s another pair of shoes, I’m sold.”

Another added: “I’m the same Poppy, I decanted stuff for the first time this year and even put it in my hand luggage. I’m still really bad with my makeup, I need it all around me, as I just know that 4 bronzers, 2 highlighters and 5 or 6 large eyeshadow pallets just won’t be enough!”

While a third suggested: “Always decant fragrances, too! You can take more options, and if it gets damaged, at least you’re only losing out on a few ml and not the whole bottle.”

Would you give this packing hack a go? Let us know in the comments…