A frequent flyer has shared a 30p WHSmith airport hack that could help you save money on baggage fees by sneaking extra toiletries into your hand luggage — but try it with caution
Travelling with only hand luggage can prove challenging for many travellers, particularly when staying away for a week. There’s packing all your evening outfits, not to mention all the swimwear and toiletries.
Nobody wants to arrive at the airport only to be informed their bag exceeds the size limit and face additional charges due to inadequate packing. While it appears airlines are constantly adjusting their hand luggage requirements to catch passengers out, one seasoned traveller has discovered a workaround that costs merely 30p. Siani, who shares content on TikTok as @sianitravels, revealed a method for squeezing extra toiletries into your luggage when travelling, eliminating concerns about abandoning your premium moisturiser or preferred shampoo and conditioner set.
She created a video responding to another comment which said: “What was the hack for fitting the toiletries?”
Siani outlined: “So anything you couldn’t fit in your hand luggage, you should put in a spare bag. Once you get through security, go to any duty-free store.”
She mentioned her preference for WHSmith, as their carrier bags accommodate a considerable amount of items, alleviating any stress.
“Then I unload my extra bag, and I put all those bits and bobs into this new duty-free bag, because the hack is that you’re allowed one duty-free bag with your carry-on luggage,” Siani detailed.
She explained she folds her additional bag, places it inside the WHSmith carrier, and she’s all set.
“Bish, bash, bosh,” she quipped.
One person highlighted: “Yeah, it’s for duty-free items bought in the airport… so if the stuff is obviously not just purchased, they can still charge you.”
That said, when did anyone last request to inspect your duty-free carrier to verify everything was genuinely bought at the airport?
It’s improbable, though still a gamble if you’re attempting to avoid paying extra.
“I thought the duty-free bag was supposed to be security sealed?” one woman queried, though someone clarified that’s only applicable when purchasing alcohol at the airport because passengers aren’t permitted to consume their own duty-free on board.
An airport employee commented: “Hey, so I work at the airport. If you have too many bags, even from duty-free, they can deny you boarding unless you leave your duty-free shopping behind if there’s no space in the overhead bins. I’ve seen it happen a few times.”
“I have been made to put my purchases in my hand luggage twice before; now I don’t risk it,” another woman revealed.
Therefore, it’s certainly advisable to attempt this trick cautiously, though it proved successful for Siani!
Would you consider trying this to transport more belongings on board without additional cost? Share your thoughts in the comments…
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