Money Saving Expert, the consumer advice brand founded by Martin Lewis, has shared a little-known trick that allows passengers to bring an extra bag onto easyJet flights “for free”. The loophole is linked to post-security shopping and could help thrifty travellers avoid excess baggage fees.
How the loophole works
EasyJet, like most airlines, strictly enforces a baggage allowance, with passengers facing steep fees if their bags are the wrong size or not booked ahead of time. However, according to a recent blog post by Money Saving Expert, the airline allows passengers to bring one shopping bag on board alongside their pre-booked items.
While easyJet maintains that this must be “one standard bag of goods bought at the airport”, some passengers have successfully transferred excess items from their personal luggage to the carry-on. Others have even managed to board flights with a carrier bag they brought with them to the airport, the website said.
Expert advice and warnings
“Of course, we're not suggesting you purchase unnecessarily,” the site added. “But if you do have a carrier bag from duty free or similar, it'll give you some room for manoeuvre when you walk through the departure gate.”
Among other tips recommended to easyJet customers were booking tickets as soon as possible for the most affordable price and paying for bags upfront to avoid hefty airport check-in costs. The experts also advised checking in early for better seats, with easyJet offering a 30-day window before flights to do so at no extra cost.
Compare prices and skip extras
Anyone thinking of booking through the airline should also first compare its prices with those of rival providers and avoid taking up the carrier's “expensive extras”. “Skip easyJet's car hire, hotels and insurance offers,” the blog post read. “Compare prices separately to bag better deals.”
