Can you add luggage after booking ryanair

Recommendation: Buy checked or cabin allowance via the carrier’s “Manage my booking” page or official mobile app as soon as the reservation is confirmed; online prices commonly run 50–80% lower than fees charged at airport desks.

Step-by-step: locate the confirmation email with the six-character reservation reference and passenger surname, sign in to the airline site or app, open the reservation, choose the baggage section and select the required weight option (examples: 10 kg cabin, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg hold items), then complete payment with card. Online edits are normally possible up to 2 hours before scheduled departure; airport purchases occur at check-in or bag-drop and incur significantly higher charges.

Weight choices and costs: typical weight tiers offered are 10 kg (cabin), and 10–30 kg for hold pieces in 5–10 kg increments depending on route. Expect advance-purchase checked-bag fares from roughly €10–€45 per sector on short European hops, while last-minute or airport fees often range €40–€100. Overweight penalties at bag drop commonly apply per kilo (approx. €10–€15/kg); verify exact amounts on the carrier’s baggage page for the specific route.

Practical tips: select the smallest hold allowance that covers packed contents to avoid overweight charges; combine items between passengers when allowed to reduce total spend; keep the electronic receipt and add the bag reference to mobile boarding passes if prompted. Bag drop generally closes about 40 minutes before departure for most short-haul flights, so any airport purchases must be made well before that cutoff.

Refunds and changes: purchased baggage is usually non-refundable and transferable only according to the carrier’s terms for the specific fare class; if a flight is cancelled or significantly changed by the airline, baggage fees may be eligible for refund as part of the airline’s compensation policy–consult the reservation terms or contact customer service for the applicable remedy.

Post-reservation baggage options with the low-cost carrier

Recommendation: Purchase extra checked items through the carrier’s Manage Reservation portal as soon as possible; online rates typically run from €6–€20 for a cabin upgrade and roughly €8–€60 for hold bags depending on route and weight, while airport purchases often cost two to three times more.

How to proceed: open the airline website or mobile app, enter last name plus booking reference, select Manage Reservation, choose “Increase allowance” or “Extra hold baggage,” pick the weight band (common options: 10 kg and 20 kg), complete payment – confirmation and updated receipt arrive by email within minutes.

Timing and limits: purchases are usually accepted up to 2 hours prior to scheduled departure via the online system; airport desks permit purchases but charge higher fees and may restrict availability at busy times. Overweight items purchased only at the airport incur per-kilogram surcharges that exceed standard extra-bag rates.

Size and weight summary: the complimentary personal item limit normally equals approximately 40 x 20 x 25 cm; priority upgrades allow a larger cabin case (about 55 x 40 x 20 cm) plus the personal item. Hold options advertised most often are 10 kg and 20 kg – verify the specific allowance on the reservation page before travel.

Practical recommendations: consolidate contents to avoid overweight penalties, weigh checked items at home with a luggage scale, purchase extra allowance online to save money, and keep fragile or essential items in the carry-on. For a compact piece that fits a personal allowance, consider a compact umbrella listed at best male umbrella.

Purchase checked (hold) baggage for an existing reservation online

Purchase checked (hold) baggage through the airline’s Manage reservation page or official mobile app at least two hours before scheduled departure to benefit from the lowest fees and guaranteed allowance on the itinerary.

Step-by-step online procedure

1. Open the carrier website or official app and select Manage reservation.

2. Enter family name and the six-character reference; locate the flight record.

3. Choose the Hold baggage or Checked bag option shown next to the flight segment; select weight tier and quantity required.

4. Complete payment with card or accepted digital method; retain the updated confirmation and receipt emailed immediately.

5. At online check-in present the reservation with the purchased allowance; overweight at airport counter will incur per-kilo or fixed excess charges.

Fees, weight options and timing

Tip: link the reservation to a user account or save the payment receipt screenshot – this speeds modifications and provides proof if a discrepancy appears at the airport counter.

Deadlines and fare tiers: when baggage purchases increase the price

Purchase checked-bag allowance at ticket checkout whenever possible; advance rates are typically 40–70% lower than purchases made at the airport or gate.

Most carriers allow purchase or modification via the Manage Reservation page up until the online check-in cutoff (commonly 2 hours before departure). Once online check-in has closed, only counter or gate transactions remain and fees usually jump to 2–4 times the advance price.

Lowest fare tiers usually exclude any hold allowance; mid and premium tiers either include a specified checked weight or a cabin-priority combination. Compare total cost: buying a fare that already includes a 20–30 kg checked allowance at ticketing often costs less than buying a single 20 kg bag later.

Typical checked-weight bands offered by low-cost carriers run from about 10 kg up to 30 kg. Overweight and oversized penalties charged at the airport frequently exceed the price difference between 20 kg and 30 kg allowances bought in advance; some gates may refuse oversized items or force repacking into carry-on limits.

Actionable checklist: purchase the correct weight band during initial ticket purchase or via Manage Reservation well before the online check-in cutoff; verify confirmation and tag numbers; avoid counter or gate purchases whenever possible; secure odd-shaped items (see best outdoor umbrella base for wind) and review pet-equipment handling tips (see how to keep my dog from chewing my fence).

Purchase Priority post-purchase: immediate recommendation

Purchase Priority via the airline’s Manage my reservation page as early as possible to lock in the two-piece cabin allowance and lower fees compared with airport purchases.

How to complete the purchase

Access Manage my reservation on the carrier website or mobile app, sign in with the reservation reference and surname, select the passenger and flight segment, choose the “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” option and complete payment; a confirmation email updates the reservation record. If online access is unavailable, the call centre or airport check-in/counter can sell the same option at higher rates–buying via the app or website normally costs less.

Specific limits and practical rules

Priority entitles each paid passenger to two cabin items: one small under-seat bag (maximum 40 x 20 x 25 cm) plus one larger wheelie bag (maximum 55 x 40 x 20 cm) with a combined maximum weight of 10 kg for the larger cabin item. Only one Priority product may be purchased per passenger per flight; infants travelling on laps do not receive a separate Priority allowance. Any cabin item exceeding dimensions or weight limits will be subject to gate check and excess charges, and boarding order privileges apply only to passengers with a valid Priority purchase.

Changing bag weight or upgrading allowance on a confirmed reservation

Purchase a larger hold-weight allowance via the carrier’s Manage Reservation tool or mobile app at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure to avoid significantly higher airport charges.

• Access the reservation with the reservation reference and passenger surname; open the Extras/Baggage section to view available weight tiers and prices.
• Select the higher-weight option shown (common tiers are displayed on the purchase page; confirm exact kilogram limits and price before payment).
• Payment updates the itinerary immediately and an updated confirmation is emailed; present that record at check-in or bag drop if staff request proof.
• In most cases the new allowance replaces the prior purchase; the checkout screen will show either a price difference or the full rate – review the final charge before completing the transaction.
• Cutoff rules: online and app modifications are usually allowed until 2 hours before departure; later adjustments must be made at the airport counter or bag drop and attract premium rates.

• At the airport, overweight handling typically involves either a flat overweight fee, a per-kilogram surcharge, or purchasing a higher allowance on the spot; airport surcharges commonly exceed web rates by a large margin.
• Gate or check-in staff decisions on weight and allowance enforcement are final; bring a home luggage scale and weigh cases before travel to avoid surprises.

• Cost-saving recommendations:
  • Buy the larger allowance at first purchase whenever feasible – pre-purchase online is the cheapest option.
  • Weigh and redistribute items between bags and permitted carry items to stay within the purchased allowance.
  • When multiple passengers on the same reservation need extra capacity, compare total cost of several small allowances versus one larger allowance before buying.
  • For last-minute needs, expect to pay by card at the airport and allow extra time at check-in or bag drop.

Airport and check-in: hold baggage – process, availability and extra fees

Purchase checked allowance online before arrival; airport counter prices are substantially higher and space may be limited.

Process at the airport

Present reservation reference and valid ID at the check‑in or bag‑drop desk. Staff will weigh and tag each checked piece, collect payment and issue a receipt. Payment by card is accepted at most airports; cash acceptance varies by location. Desk transactions end when the bag‑drop/desk closes – typically 40–60 minutes prior to scheduled departure on short‑haul routes – so allow extra time if a purchase at the airport is necessary.

If a piece exceeds the purchased allowance, staff will require payment for either an extra checked item or an overweight charge; the cheaper option depends on route and weight. If no allowance is purchased and a bag is presented, options range from paying an excess fee at the gate to refusal to accept the item, with possible denial of carriage for non‑compliant items.

Availability and extra charges

Airport counter inventory is finite: when flights are near capacity, acceptance of additional checked items may be refused. Fees at counters and gates are higher than online rates – often substantially – and are displayed per route and per weight band. Overweight charges are applied either as a flat fee for a specific bracket (e.g., 23 kg → 28 kg) or as a per‑kg surcharge; prices vary by airport. Fragile or oversized items may incur special handling fees or be rejected if dimensions exceed hold limits.

Practical recommendations: weigh items at home on a reliable scale, carry the reservation reference on the phone or printed, arrive at the airport earlier than usual if counter purchase is planned, and compare the counter fee with the online price before committing at the desk. Keep receipts for any airport payments in case of disputes.

Troubleshooting reservation errors, carrier contact and baggage refund rules

Recommendation: Collect the reservation code, full payment receipt (card merchant reference), timestamped screenshots of the error and the confirmation email, then attempt correction through the carrier’s “Manage reservation” portal or mobile app; if the portal rejects changes, escalate to official support immediately with the gathered evidence.

Common error fixes and exact steps

Missing confirmation: check spam/junk and search inbox for the passenger surname plus the carrier domain; if no confirmation appears, log into the Manage reservation area using the email used at purchase and the six‑character reference. Duplicate charge but single reservation: wait up to 24–48 hours for pending authorisations to clear, then if the duplicate posts as a settled charge, request refund via Manage reservation and attach bank card statement showing both entries.

Incorrect name entry or itinerary error: name corrections for minor typos can typically be handled online with no fee if corrected within 24 hours of purchase; major name swaps require cancellation and new purchase or phone support – present ID and the payment receipt. Failed payment with no reservation record: collect the card issuer’s authorisation code and merchant reference, then contact support and the bank; merchant refunds often appear within 7–14 business days.

Official contact channels, expected response times and escalation

Primary contact routes: Manage reservation portal, official mobile application, verified webchat on the carrier website, published phone lines and airport ticket desks. Always request a support reference number and note agent name/time. Standard response for service requests and simple refunds: 7–14 business days; for complex disputes or flight cancellations that trigger optional‑service refunds, allow up to 30 calendar days.

If the carrier denies a refund for an optional baggage purchase despite cancellation or service failure, submit a formal complaint through the carrier’s complaint form, then escalate to the national enforcement body (EU flights: relevant national authority) or bank card chargeback process if unresolved after 8 weeks. For Regulation 261/2004 claims linked to flight cancellation/long delay, include booking reference, boarding passes and all receipts; expect initial acknowledgement within 7 days and a substantive reply within 8 weeks in most cases.

Required documentation for any refund or correction request: reservation reference, full payment receipt (merchant reference and last four card digits), boarding pass (if available), screenshots of the error, and a clear summary of the requested remedy. Retain all correspondence until refund posts to the original payment method.