Picture this
Once you have checked in online and have your 3D barcode on your phone, the rest is easy.
After hurriedly packing all your stuff last minute and checking that you have your essentials, passports, phone etc, you call the cab. Sweat beads run down your face as you wonder if you will make it on time for your flight! Yeah, we have all been there.
Finally arriving at the airport, you pick up a trolley, darting between people, and head straight to the electronic check-in. Your phone is in one hand, your passport in the other and the straps of your backpack are dragging along the floor. With your booking number or your 3D barcode, you very easily get your boarding pass. “Wow”, you think, “that was the simplest thing that has happened so far today!” Oh, not forgetting to also print your luggage tags and attach them to your bag. Now you are ready to run to the electronic bag drop off desk. “I am going to make it on time. Oh yeah!”.
Now the fun starts! You paid for your 20kgs, which was your estimated weight when booking your Air Asia flight. “Of course”, I hear you say! Hmmm, but how heavy is your bag? With Air Asia, 20kgs is 20kgs, or whatever allowance you bought, and not one gram more. The system is electronic and will not allow you to proceed if you are overweight. You are then directed to the service counter to pay for your extra kgs.
“How much? You have got to be kidding! $9 per kg?”.
“
Phew!
Phew, it’s all over and done! You now have your two items of hand luggage and head through to the security at the departure gate. Your heart starts to race as you see the attendant weighing every bag of the people in front of you. You hope to get away with it because you know you crammed your hand luggage not to pay excess weight. Wrong!
She welcomes you with a big smile as always, “good morning, sir! Please put all your hand luggage on the scale”.
Your heartbeat now doubled as she tells you “Your allowance is 7kgs and I see that your combined weight is almost double.”
“Ohs**t! All because of the camera gear, tripod and accessories!”.
Running through your mind is how can you swing this one. You start with the chat. That doesn’t work. She tells you to go back to the service counter to check in the bag or just the overweight items until your bag is no more than 7kgs.
Back in the queue, there are ten poor souls going through the same ritual while time passes fast. You start getting anxious and the AC in the airport suddenly doesn’t seem to be cooling you off. Your foot tapping is making everyone turn round nervously, all anticipating the same fate!
The same person who attended you earlier at the counter kindly tells you what you already know.
“The excess weight is 7kgs”.
Thus, you reluctantly take out your wallet, again, and present her your credit card. With another smile and “thank you, have a nice flight sir”‘ you are on your way back to the departure gate praying that your hand luggage is now within limits.
She weighs what you have left.
“Phew, all done!”
Lesson learned
You walk away thinking what a bonehead you were for not checking the weight of your bags the day before. Extra baggage weight can be bought online for half the price!
“I could have bought another round trip with that money!”, you think pissed off at yourself.
Better always to overestimate your weight at the booking process to be sure!
It seems that we are all travelling a lot more internationally where the allowance is 30kgs. However, you then may need to catch an internal flight where the allowance might be less. Preferably, book onward flights with included baggage allowances.
Never overlook the baggage issues and keep your saved-up cash in your pocket for those well-deserved excursions in exotic places.
Lesson learned, always travel with an electronic scale, read the small print and follow the rules to travel stress-free.
After all, the lighter you travel the better it is for the environment. Reduce your carbon footprint whenever possible!
Planning to book an AirAsia Flight?
Here is how to get your boarding pass and luggage tags on the AirAsia
Happy travels!
And don’t forget to check out our travel resources when planning your next trip.
