Airlines are raising luggage fees, but these 5 packing hacks might help you avoid extra costs

Travellers are looking to save costs where they can as flight prices increase. Photo by Tijana Simic /Getty Images/iStockphoto

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The cost of air travel is quickly rising, but packing light can help offset some of the expense.

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The conflict in Iran is a key driver of recent price hikes, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz sending jet fuel costs soaring, and airlines are looking for ways to ease the pressure.

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The result has been a wave of route cancellations, surcharges and increased luggage fees.

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In Canada, WestJet and Air Canada have raised the price of checked bags, both adding $10 to first and second checked bags and $50 to excess, overweight, and oversized bags.

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Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner travel trends expert, told National Post in an email: “It’s worth checking your airline’s hand luggage policy ahead of time, especially when flying with a new carrier, as size and item limits can vary. A bit of planning goes a long way and can help avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.”

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And if you’re worried about the cost of your next vacation creeping up, here are five clever packing tips that could help you dodge extra fees. Lindsay, however, warned travellers to be cautious. “While some viral packing hacks can seem clever, they’re not always as reliable as they appear. Approaches like concealing extra items can depend heavily on the airline and airport staff, and in some cases may lead to delays or additional fees at the gate,” she told National Post.

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Should you buy a duty-free bag?

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Duty-free bags are often treated as separate from standard carry-on allowances, and some savvy travellers say they use them to bring extra items on board.

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Travel expert Chelsea Dickenson, also known as @cheapholidayexpert, shared a TikTok that showed her putting extra items into a duty-free bag she’d taken from a self-checkout in the terminal. She then reportedly walked onto her flight without anyone questioning her. 

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Travellers should check airline policies before attempting this. Air Transat and WestJet both note on their websites that duty-free items must fit inside cabin baggage.

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Porter Airlines, meanwhile, on its website says: “Duty-free items in reasonable quantities do not count towards your carry-on baggage allowance for your next flight.”

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What about neck pillows?

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Another travel hack that’s been shared widely online for allowing travellers to take a few extra items on board involves repurposing a neck pillow.

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TikTokers the world over have shared videos of themselves removing the stuffing and swapping it with items of clothing that they would otherwise be unable to fit in their carry-on bag.

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Be careful with this one, though. In 2024, a TikTok surfaced appearing to show a man being denied boarding after staff discovered a pillowcase filled with personal items.