excess baggage

Meaning

'Excess baggage' refers to luggage that exceeds the weight or size limits permitted by an airline. If your bags are over the limit, you will usually have to pay an 'excess baggage fee' at check-in. This term is standard and used across airlines globally.

Examples

• I had to pay a fifty-dollar fee because of my excess baggage.

  I had to pay a fifty-dollar fee because of my excess baggage.

• To avoid excess baggage charges, make sure to weigh your suitcases at home.

  To avoid excess baggage charges, make sure to weigh your suitcases at home.

• The airline has very strict rules regarding excess baggage weight limits.

  The airline has very strict rules regarding excess baggage weight limits.

• Can we pack some of your heavy books in my suitcase to prevent excess baggage?

  Can we pack some of your heavy books in my suitcase to prevent excess baggage?

• He had so much excess baggage that it was cheaper to ship some items ahead.

  He had so much excess baggage that it was cheaper to ship some items ahead.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They charged me for my extra baggages.

  ✓ They charged me for my excess baggage.

  'Baggage' is an uncountable noun and cannot be pluralized as 'baggages'. Also, 'excess baggage' is the specific industry term for overweight luggage.

• ✗ I have too much heavy luggage, so I must pay over-baggage fees.

  ✓ I have too much heavy luggage, so I must pay excess baggage fees.

  'Over-baggage' is a direct translation error from other languages. The correct English term is 'excess baggage'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If your suitcase weighs more than 23 kilograms, you will have to pay an ___ fee.

  💡 The term for luggage that is over the weight limit

  Show answer

  excess baggage

• We had to transfer some clothes to our carry-on to avoid ___ charges.

  💡 Extra fees for heavy bags

  Show answer

  excess baggage