Many airports and airlines have a little-known loophole: duty-free bags don’t count towards your carry-on allowance…
Ski Vertigo, leading travel experts, reveal how to use this Duty-Free Shopping Bag Hack to your advantage, potentially avoiding up to £100 in baggage fees on your next trip, especially with budget airlines.
Buy a Cheap Item from Duty-Free
Pick up something small and inexpensive—such as a snack, bottle of water, or travel-sized toiletry—for around £3.50 at a duty-free shop. This purchase qualifies you for a duty-free shopping bag, which most airlines don’t count towards your carry-on limit. Even budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet allow passengers to carry one duty-free bag in addition to their carry-on, without any checks or restrictions.
Transfer Items from Your Carry-On
If your carry-on bag is overweight or oversized, move some clothes, shoes, or smaller belongings into the duty-free bag. This ensures your main bag meets the size and weight restrictions, helping you avoid excess baggage charges. Airlines don’t typically weigh or restrict the contents of a duty-free bag, allowing you to carry more onboard without paying for additional luggage.
How This Hack Saves You Money
- Avoid Excess Weight Fees: Airlines like Ryanair charge around £65 if your carry-on exceeds weight or size limits. Transferring items to the duty-free bag eliminates this charge.
- Bypass Extra Bag Fees: Checking an extra bag at the airport can cost up to £100. By using the duty-free bag, you can bring extra belongings onboard for free.
- Skip Pre-Paid Baggage Fees: Some airlines encourage passengers to pre-book extra baggage for £10–£50. With this trick, you won’t need to pay in advance or at the airport.
Travel Smart to Save Even More
- Pack Light and Plan Ahead: Bring a foldable tote or small compression bag inside your carry-on, so you can easily transfer items to the duty-free bag if needed.
- Shop Efficiently: Some airports offer multi-buy discounts, letting you buy snacks or toiletries while still benefiting from the extra bag. This way, you save money on essentials while taking advantage of the baggage loophole.
A spokesperson from Ski Vertigo:
“Planning your packing strategy carefully can lead to significant savings on travel expenses. By optimising what and how you pack, you not only avoid unexpected fees but also ensure a smoother journey.
“Wearing your bulkiest clothing items, like jackets and boots, during the flight frees up space in your luggage. Packing versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched reduces the number of items you need to bring. Using compression bags or packing cubes maximises space in your carry-on. Bringing an empty water bottle to refill after security saves money on drinks at the airport. Checking in online and having digital copies of your documents can help you bypass potential fees at the check-in desk.”
