Got Excess Baggage?

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So before you get to the check in counter at your international airport it pays to call the airline first to check your baggage allowance as well there excess baggage fees.
If there excess baggage fees are little hard to swallow then I would suggest you send your luggage as unaccompanied baggage.
Most airlines will offer this service although they may not actively market this service as they will make more money out of you by charging excess baggage fees.
Unaccompanied baggage basically means your luggage will travel on different flight to the one that you have booked or may even travel on a different airline if you choose a company that specialises in sending unaccompanied baggage.
If you use one of the specialized companies that operate in this niche, you may find that they may even be able to book your unaccompanied baggage on the same flight.
As a guideline they will probably need your luggage a couple of days before you leave so they can book the space with the airline.
The key advantage of sending your excess baggage as unaccompanied baggage is that you should save up to 50% on the excess baggage charges.
Why? Because unaccompanied baggage is treated as general cargo and the companies that specialize in this buy at a wholesale rate and then put their mark up on it.
Some companies may even be able to offer you a storage service. This is extremely useful if you are not arriving at your final destination for another four weeks.
As a guideline most international terminals will give you up to 4 days free storage but then they will start charging by the kilogram e.g. 50 cents per kilogram per day.
Do the maths, 50 kilograms in unaccompanied baggage over a two week period and it will cost you an extra $350.00.
So find out if the company you are dealing with offers a free storage service or charges a nominal fee.
Also when sending unaccompanied baggage you will normally have to pay a documentation fee which will cover handling, x-ray and customs clearance and when you arrive at your destination port there is normally a handling fee and airport terminal fee.
With all these additional fees the rate should still be extremely competitive compared to what airlines are charging in excess luggage fees.

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So remember before you get to the airport check with the airline you are travelling with to make sure you are within your luggage allowance.
If you think you have got excess baggage find out from the airline what the charges will be and if needed you can arrange to ship your baggage as unaccompanied baggage.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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