The Jetstar rule stinging passengers with $115 fees – and Tigerair isn’t much better either
- Jetstar and Tigerair are hitting unwary passengers with hefty ‘at-the-gate’ fees
- Carry-on luggage limits are 7kg and fees are in place for overweight bags
- Tigerair charges $85 at the gate for overweight items while Jetstar charges $115
- Both airlines offer affordable options for booking extra luggage in advance
Low-cost airline passengers are being stung with extortionate fees for luggage allowance which can end up costing more than the flight itself.
While some Australian domestic flights with Jetstar and Tigerair come in under $50, if you’re not wary of one particular element, you could end up forking out more than $100 in extra fees.
Most low-cost airlines have a strict hand luggage weight allowance of 7kg – which is perfect for the overnighter.
While some domestic flights with Jetstar and Tigerair start from as little as $51, if you’re not wary of one particular element, you could end up forking out more than $100 in extra fees
But Jetstar passengers who are over this allowance and don’t pay for extra luggage in advance can expect to be hit with additional fees of up to $115 just to get their bag on the plane.
Both Jetstar and Tigerair have affordable options for those wanting to book extra luggage allowance in advance.
Jetstar passengers who know they will go over this allowance can upgrade their hand luggage weight from 7kg to 10kg for an extra $16, which works out at a fairly reasonable $1.60 per kilo.
If Jetstar passengers jump over this allowance but haven’t paid for extra luggage in advance, they will be hit with additional fees of up to $115 just to get the bag on the plane
Both Jetstar and Tigerair do have affordable options for those wanting to book extra luggage allowance in advance and avoid hefty fees
Tigerair offers passengers the option of upgrading their 7kg hand luggage to 12kg for $15, which comes to a cheaper $1.25 kilo.
There is also the obvious option of paying for checked baggage in advance, with Tigerair charging $16 for 20kg of checked luggage, and Jetstar charging $21 for the same weight.
But the key phrase here is ‘in advance’, and passengers who only realise their weighty mistake at the gate can expect a hefty fee.
On Tigerair flights, overweight luggage under 15kg will cost $75 at the gate, and for 20kg of overweight luggage, passengers can expect to cough up $85.
But Jetstar sting their passengers with a $60 fee at the gate for luggage under 15kg and $115 for 20kg of overweight luggage.
To avoid paying costs more than that of the flight itself, the trick is to know your limits and book in advance.
On Tigerair flights, overweight luggage under 15kg will cost $75 at the gate, and for 20kg of overweight luggage, passengers can expect to cough up $85