With airlines becoming stringent and charging as much as Rs. 2250 for excess baggage fees and nearly Rs. 9000 for an oversize or overweight bag, Expedia.co.in, carried out an insightful study of the average travelers’ packing habits, focused on highlighting the key mistakes and solutions that travelers should consider.

According to the Annual Expedia Baggage Survey, nearly 40% of Indians have paid excess baggage fees while traveling. While more than 60% said they had not even used all the items that they had carried with them. The results have been collated basis a survey carried out with over 500 Indian travelers who have booked air travel online.

With a huge number of travelers heading towards Europe for cool escapades in the Alps, followed by travel to the beaches and city holidays, this survey highlights the problems travelers face while planning their bags. Interestingly, mountain breaks also emerge as one of the most difficult holidays to pack for, with over half of the respondents (58%) stating that they were flustered while planning for such a trip.

With the additional woolens they need to brave the chill of snow-capped mountains, and the different types of clothes they feel they need to enjoy the broad range of activities offered at such locations - including adventure sports, trekking and site-seeing - travelers spent a considerable amount of time fitting everything into just a single suitcase!

As per the study, Indian travelers have spent as much as Rs. 7500 on excess baggage fees, prompting them to take considerable steps to avoid paying for this extravagance. Some of the respondents admitted to wearing extra clothes, including up to three jackets, stuffing small things in pockets, and befriending fellow passengers travelling with lesser baggage to help accommodate their stuff. Some even used infant strollers to carry heavy items, since strollers are allowed into the cabin, amongst other innovative solutions.

From a packing perspective, more than half of the respondents (59%) admit to spending between one and two days preparing for their holiday. Less than a third (22%) admit to spending only two hours in packing their suitcases and nearly 18% spend more than 2 days in packing their bags.

According to Mr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia.co.in,“With summer at its peak, and more and more consumers looking to visit new destinations, we felt it would be interesting for consumers to take a relook at their packing habits. It can help them avoid paying the airlines for items that they may not use in the first place. Proper planning and packing smart can help consumers save money, thereby giving them the extra cash to spend an additional day holidaying or allow them to enjoy some of the interesting activities that Expedia allows its travelers to experience”.

Some Expedia recommendations for avoiding excess baggage fees are given below:

• Research is the key: Common…yet good advice. It’s always better to be prepared. Check for temperatures, altitudes, terrain and decide your clothing accordingly! There is no use for that pair of track pants if the weather is too cold even for jeans, or when you need trekking shoes instead of the sandals!

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