Introduction

You’re standing at Changi Airport. The queue moves quickly. You step forward, hand over your passport, and place your luggage on the scale.

Then the airline staff says it.

“Your bag is slightly overweight.”

That’s the moment your heart sinks a little, isn’t it? Because now, instead of anticipating your first meal in Tokyo or your hotel view in Bali, you’re calculating how much this extra fee is going to hurt your budget. 

Let’s make sure that never happens. Because avoiding extra baggage fees isn’t just possible, it’s simple once you know a few insider moves. 

Before we continue, here’s one simple upgrade that makes everything easier from the start: use better luggage. Here at Flyco, you’ll find compact, airline-ready bags that help you maximise space without tipping the scales. Light, stylish, and practical, which is your solid first step.

Now, here’s what works.

Know the Rules Before You Book

Low-cost airlines are great for your wallet, but their baggage rules may get brutal. Budget carriers like Scoot, Jetstar, and AirAsia often have strict weight limits, and they don’t bend. Not even a little.

Some allow 7kg for cabin bags. Others permit 10kg. A few will let you bring a laptop bag on top of that. Most won’t.

Don’t assume. Check the exact baggage policy before you book, and again before you pack. Screenshot it. Save it in your notes. Have it ready in case there’s ever a dispute at the counter.

Use a Luggage Scale at Home

Too many travellers guess. They lift their bag and think, “Should be fine.” Then it’s not fine. And it costs them S$70 on the spot.

You can avoid this with a S$10 luggage scale. Weigh your bag at home. And weigh it again after you’ve packed your last-minute items.

That extra pair of shoes or full bottle of shampoo? It adds up fast. So check, then check again.

Wear the Heaviest Stuff

This sounds obvious, but it works. The heaviest shoes, thickest jacket, and bulkiest clothes? Wear them. Even if you're heading to Bangkok, where it’s 33 degrees.

I once layered three shirts under a windbreaker on a flight from KL to avoid paying for an extra 2kg. Sure, I was sweating like a satay grill, but I walked onto that plane S$60 richer.

Once you’re through security, you can always take off a layer and relax.

Add Luggage When You Book, Not at the Airport

This is one of the easiest savings of all.

Buy extra baggage allowance before you reach the airport. Online prices are always lower. And if you already know your bag is a bit too heavy, buying it early can cut the fee in half.

Many airlines also offer bundles that include seat selection, meals, and luggage. Take a look at the math. It’s often cheaper to get the bundle than to add things separately.

Pack Like a Pro

Packing light doesn’t mean taking less. It means choosing better.

Use compression bags or packing cubes to fit more in less space. Pick clothing you can mix and match. Avoid the “just in case” items that always come back untouched.

If your luggage is working against you (heavy wheels, thick handles, wasted space), consider switching to something that’s built for efficient travel. We have carefully shortlisted a great range of smart bags that make packing feel less like Tetris and more like freedom. Find them here.

The Duty-Free Trick

Here’s something most travellers don’t realise. Airlines typically don’t count your duty-free bag as part of your cabin allowance.

So here’s what clever travellers do. They keep a small foldable tote in their main bag. After security, they shift heavier items (books, snacks, even electronics) into that tote and carry it on separately.

Technically, it’s a duty-free bag. And practically, it saves you from an overweight carry-on.

Choose Full-Service Airlines When It Makes Sense

Flying long-haul? Sometimes full-service airlines are more cost-effective than budget ones once you factor in extra baggage fees.

Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates often include 25kg to 30kg of checked baggage. No extra charges, no surprises.

And yes, you’ll also get a meal, a blanket, and an entertainment system that doesn’t require your phone and a power bank.

Team Up and Share the Load

If you’re travelling with a friend, make your bags work together.

One of you can carry the heavier things. The other can pack light. As long as both bags stay under the individual limit, you’re fine.

I’ve seen couples reshuffle their luggage in perfect rhythm - pulling items from one, zipping another. It takes five minutes and saves you real money.

Travel Smart, Not Sorry

Extra carry-on luggage fees with airlines aren’t random. They happen when you don’t prepare. But now you know exactly how to keep them off your boarding pass.

From choosing the right airline and packing strategically to weighing your bags ahead of time and dressing like a champion, these simple habits protect your travel budget and your sanity.

And of course, if your luggage is part of the problem, solve it at the root. Check out our collections at Flyco for compact, stylish, airline-friendly luggage that takes the guesswork out of packing.

Less stress. More travel. That’s how it should be.

Bon voyage.