Every airline is different, but nowadays, travelers are expected to pay a minimum of $30 extra to check in an overstuffed suitcase at the airport, with companies like WestJet even demanding a fee of up to $100 extra. These prices may come as a financial burden to some.
With the increase in baggage fares, social media users are starting to share their travel hacks online
Share icon Image credits: Freepik Content creator Faith Woodhall has almost 100,000 followers and is known for posting fashion, lifestyle, and travel videos. In mid-August, she shared her travel tip in a clip that’s going viral: “Bring a second plastic bag full of stuff, and buy a Boots/duty-free bag at the airport so they think you’ve just bought stuff at the airport.” Share icon Image credits: Faith in Fashion In the video, audiences can see the content creator and her friend stashing their belongings in two duty-free bags in order to avoid baggage fees, with an audio of “Don’t be suspicious” playing in the background. Faith added in the caption: “This one is for my overpacking girlies… Always works a dream — never been charged for a second bag.”
The influencer amassed almost 13k likes on this travel hack video
Share icon Image credits: Faith in Fashion In just a year, prices for checked baggage have skyrocketed for big US airlines such as American Airlines. From 2023 to 2024, there was a whopping 33% increase, according to CNN, and many airlines are on the way to a similar percentage. With Faith’s video gaining popularity, users on social media are sharing their own thoughts and experiences, and it seems other vacationers have found success, as well. One viewer wrote: “Been doing this for years. Works every time! Never had a problem getting past Ryanair.” “I did this for Ibiza last week!!” another added. Others are a little more unsure, as one skeptical user asked: “How does this work. Security is before duty free?”
But Faith certainly isn’t the first to come up with ideas on how to dodge traveling costs
Share icon Image credits: Faith in Fashion In June of this year, Dylan Springer, 23, quite literally used his own clothes as a suitcase to avoid paying extra, New York Post reports. It was a genius, albeit unconventional, way to travel. He stuffed everything into his baggy jeans when he realized his fellow flyers were being charged approximately $60 for bringing an extra carry-on. Luckily for Dylan, he was able to get on the plane without being charged extra. Share icon Image credits: Faith in Fashion Some traveling tactics do go wrong, however, and the consequences can be harsh. Earlier in the summer, a man was banned from his flight after he tried out a viral packing hack that involved stuffing clothes into a pillowcase and zipping it up in order to hide them. It was meant to be just a normal pillow to anyone unsuspecting, but security staff stopped him. As the gate’s doors closed on him, the man said he would pay for it as a last attempt to get on the plane, but authorities were called, and he was escorted out of the airport. Social media users were quick to call him out, with one even saying: “One place I’m not going to act foolish is the airport.” Share icon Image credits: Faith in Fashion
Even with all these various traveling hacks on the Internet, passengers may still need to resort to checking in their oversized bags for an extra fee. It’s always important to consider where you will be staying, as certain amenities may be available to you already. If not, wear clothing with lots of pockets. It may not be the most comfortable plane ride, but saving an extra $100 could be worth it in the long run.
Viewers on TikTok shared their success and skepticism on Faith’s travel hack
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