Sending your suitcase by mail: The new trick for avoiding airline luggage fees?

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Experts claim you can save up to 70% on baggage costs to Spain with this clever travel hack

Sending your suitcase by mail: The new trick for avoiding airline luggage fees?

The summer holidays are fast approaching, and many of you are probably already mentally planning your vacation wardrobes. But this is easier said than done, since extortionate luggage charges and ever-stricter airline policies mean we often have to sacrifice fashion to save a few quid. But this time around, you can say goodbye to hefty baggage costs and hello to major savings, all thanks to a nifty little travel hack – sending your suitcase via postal service.

At first this might seem a little extreme, but recent increases in Aena rates of 4.09%, approved back in February by the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), mean that traditional airline luggage expenses keep creeping ever upwards. But fear not, as there’s now an affordable alternative to ease your financial burden, ensuring your dream vaycay doesn’t break the bank.

This is where parcel companies come in as the ultimate budget-friendly solution for savvy travellers. According to Packlink, a shipping comparison platform that works with well-known outfits like Correos, GLS and Seur, passengers mailing their luggage to Spain instead of paying to check it in with the airline can save a whopping 70%.

“The fees airlines charge for luggage can be surprisingly high, especially for low-cost carriers. An effective alternative is to use parcel services to send luggage to the destination before travelling. This option can not only be more economical, but also allows you to travel lighter and more comfortably,” they explained.

Packlink carried out a survey and found that low-cost carriers, usually chosen for their incredible deals, often offer a false economy. That’s simply because “adding a 10 kilo suitcase can add up to 30 euros extra to the price of the ticket” while there are parcel companies that offer shipping of 20 kilos to Spain for just over 9 euros.

To top it all off, some airlines impose additional surcharges ranging between 46 to 70 euros if you’re forced to check your bag in at the departure gate or if your luggage is too heavy.

So in order to pack smarter, stress less and save a few euros along the way, Packlink advises travellers that “by sending luggage through parcel companies, consumers can guarantee the price they pay for their suitcases before flying and without setbacks.”

Also of interest: Ryanair, easyJet and other airlines fined 150 million euros for hand luggage fees

Image: Freepik

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