Michael Turner
Book a hold bag through the booking management area using the reservation code and passenger surname; complete payment to receive an updated confirmation email. Payments made on the website or app generally show lower tariffs than purchases at the check‑in desk or gate.
Standard weight options are typically 15 kg and 23 kg; oversized items and sports equipment must be reserved in advance and carry separate charges. Fees depend on route and travel date: for many intra‑European sectors online prices commonly fall in the range of roughly £6–£45 per item, while airport purchases can rise substantially.
To avoid surcharges, add checked baggage as soon as travel plans are fixed. Enter the booking reference and last name on Manage Bookings, select the desired bag size or special item, pay, then save the amended itinerary. Allowances are linked to the named passenger; weight limits and overweight penalties apply, and purchased extras are typically non‑refundable under standard fare rules.
Purchase a checked bag after booking with the carrier
Buy a checked bag through Manage Bookings on the carrier website immediately after confirming the reservation; online tariffs for European short-haul sectors typically range from £6–£45 per sector, while airport purchases often cost two to three times more.
Timing and where to pay
Online and via the mobile app: purchases are usually permitted up to 2 hours before scheduled departure on most services. Airport sales at the bag drop or check-in desk continue until the airline’s check-in closure (times vary by airport and route). Purchases made at the gate attract the highest fees and may be refused once check-in has closed.
Weight rules, changes and refunds
Typical hold options are 15 kg and 23 kg per piece; overweight or oversized items incur additional charges or require special handling. Amendments to allowance are handled in Manage Bookings; paid fees are generally non-refundable except under specific fare rules or operational disruptions. For multi-leg itineraries, allowances must be purchased for each flight segment where a charge applies.
How to include hold baggage on an existing booking online
Purchase hold baggage for an existing reservation through Manage Bookings on the carrier website or mobile app – online purchases are permitted up to 2 hours before scheduled departure and almost always cost less than buying at the airport.
Quick step-by-step
- Open Manage Bookings and enter the booking reference plus the passenger surname.
- Select the specific flight segment, then go to the “Bags” or “Hold bags” section shown on the booking summary.
- Choose quantity and weight option per bag (common options: 15 kg, 23 kg; heavier allowances available on some routes).
- Confirm dimensions and weight limits displayed for each option; overweight charges are applied at check-in if exceeded.
- Proceed to payment – major debit/credit cards and mobile wallet methods are normally accepted – and wait for the updated confirmation e‑mail/receipt.
Practical recommendations and limits
- Purchase deadline: online purchase window generally closes ~2 hours before departure; last-minute desk purchases incur higher fees.
- Group bookings: only the lead passenger (booking owner) can modify the reservation; make modifications under that account.
- Connecting flights using separate reservations may require baggage to be purchased on each booking separately.
- Bag drop closes at airport check‑in counters – commonly 40–60 minutes before scheduled departure; consult the specific airport page for exact cutoff.
- If valuable or fragile items need cabin carriage, use a compact personal pack; for example, consider a best bjj backpack as a durable carry option.
- Keep the confirmation e‑mail and updated booking reference accessible at check‑in; the boarding pass will reflect paid hold allowances.
Cut-off times: when to purchase hold baggage before departure
Purchase hold baggage via Manage Bookings or the carrier’s website up to 2 hours before the scheduled departure time shown on the reservation; the deadline applies per flight segment.
At-airport deadlines
Bag drop and staffed check-in counters typically close 40 minutes before departure for most short-haul flights. Certain airports and some international services require bag drop 60 minutes before departure; large hubs or flights with enhanced security may set an earlier deadline displayed at the airport. Self-service bag drop machines normally follow the same closure times.
Exceptions and practical recommendations
For oversized pieces, sports equipment or group bookings, purchase at least 24 hours ahead to guarantee allowance and lower fees. If a flight time is changed, the purchase cutoff aligns with the updated scheduled departure once the modification is confirmed in the booking. Airport purchases usually incur higher charges and are not possible after bag drop closure, so secure checked-bag allowance online where feasible and keep the boarding pass and baggage confirmation saved before arriving at the airport.
Purchase hold baggage via the app or Manage Bookings – step-by-step
Purchase checked bags in the carrier app or Manage Bookings immediately after booking to secure the lowest online fees and ensure the reservation reflects the extra allowance before airport check-in.
Mobile app – exact sequence
Open the carrier mobile app, log in with the account used for the reservation or tap “Find booking” and enter the booking reference plus passenger surname.
Open the specific trip, select the section labelled “Extras”, “Bags” or similar (label varies by platform) and choose the required weight band and quantity shown on-screen – common examples displayed are 15 kg and 23 kg options.
Confirm selection, review the final price (taxes and route surcharges included in the checkout total), then complete payment via card, Apple Pay or Google Pay where supported. A confirmation email updates the itinerary within minutes.
For paired changes (multiple passengers or group bookings), repeat selection per passenger before finalising payment to ensure correct allocation and avoid per-passenger checkout fees.
Manage Bookings (website) – exact sequence
Visit the carrier website, open Manage Bookings, enter booking reference and surname, then choose the flight segment to modify. Click the “Extras” or “Bags” tile to view selectable options and any bundle offers that include hold allowance plus seats.
Select required weight band(s) and number of pieces; the site displays current route-specific prices and any time-limited discounts. Use saved card details or PayPal for faster checkout; download the updated itinerary or save the confirmation PDF after payment.
If a change to the number or type of checked bags becomes necessary, use Manage Bookings to modify the reservation before the displayed cut-off. Refunds for purchased hold allowance follow the carrier’s published policy – check the confirmation email for the transaction reference.
For advice on optimal bag type and size for the trip, consult best luggage to take to italy before final selection.
Charges for purchasing hold baggage at airport check-in or at the gate
Purchase hold-baggage via Manage Bookings or the carrier app before airport arrival; pay-on-the-day at the check-in desk or at the gate typically incurs substantially higher fees.
Fee levels and typical ranges
Amounts depend on route, season, bag weight allowance (e.g., 23kg vs 32kg), and currency. The table below shows approximate ranges per standard hold bag for short- and medium-haul routes – long-haul or special routes may exceed these figures.
| Purchase point | Typical charge (per 23kg bag, GBP) | Overweight / oversize surcharge (GBP) | Timing / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport check-in desk | £30–£100 | £40–£120 (depends on excess weight) | Charged at counter; rates usually higher than pre-purchase; card payments accepted |
| Gate (after boarding starts) | £50–£140+ | £50–£150+ | Highest penalty rates; sometimes charged as “excess” rather than standard bag fee; payment may be required before boarding |
Practical airport tips to reduce fees
1) Attempt to resolve allowance shortfalls at self-service kiosks or check-in desks before proceeding to the gate; kiosk prices can be lower than gate charges. 2) Combine items into the permitted cabin allowance where possible to avoid counter fees; measure and weigh carry items before arriving. 3) Expect local-currency pricing and small fluctuations; confirm the exact total on the payment screen before completing the transaction. 4) Overweight declarations made at the airport often carry a separate flat surcharge – move excess items between bags to stay within the purchased band if feasible. 5) Refunds or reductions are rare for on-the-day purchases; retain receipts and boarding documents if a dispute follows.
What to do if extra bags after online check-in or at boarding
Head straight to the carrier’s bag-drop or check-in desk to register and pay for extra hold items; presenting the booking reference and a payment card speeds processing and often prevents steeper gate surcharges.
Repack immediately: move non-restricted items into a small personal item, a cabin case within size limits, or wear heavy garments to reduce weight in the hold. Compression packing cubes and rolling garments reduce volume by up to 30%.
If a checked piece will exceed the permitted weight, split contents across other checked pieces where allowed, or transfer to the cabin allowance while respecting liquid and sharp-object restrictions (liquids over 100 ml must go in hold items).
At the gate, request a ground-agent supervisor if initial staff decline extra registration; if the supervisor still refuses, expect a gate surcharge – have contactless card or mobile wallet ready to complete payment quickly.
Compare airport options before paying full gate fees: same-day courier services located at many international terminals often charge less than on-the-spot airline surcharges for sending parcels home or to the next destination. Ask for a written price quote and estimated delivery time.
For fragile or valuable excess items, purchase a checked-item declaration or use a courier with tracking and insurance; airline overweight/oversize policies may refuse very heavy single items or require special handling fees that exceed courier costs.
Keep photographed evidence: weigh each case on an airport scale, photograph scale reading and contents if disputing fees later. Retain payment receipts and tagging receipts for reimbursement or chargeback claims.
For pet-related messes inside a case or cabin area, use protective liners and follow a rapid-clean routine; quick guidance available here: how to clean cat puke off carpet.
FAQ:
Can I add hold luggage to my easyJet booking after I have paid for the flight?
Yes. You can add hold baggage to an existing booking through easyJet’s website or mobile app by opening the Manage Bookings section and entering your booking reference and surname. Additions are usually accepted up until online check-in closes. If you miss the online window, you can still pay for hold luggage at the airport, but those charges are higher than online prices.
What steps should I follow if my booking was made through a travel agent or third-party site and I want to add bags?
If a third party issued your ticket, first try adding luggage via easyJet using the booking reference and last name. If the reservation does not appear, contact the travel agent to have them add baggage or to provide the correct reference. You can also call easyJet customer service and give them the ticket details; they can link the booking to your account or add baggage for you, though fees and processing options may vary depending on who sold the ticket.
How many hold bags can I add and what are the weight and size rules?
easyJet allows passengers to add multiple hold bags to a single booking, with each bag subject to weight and size limits. Standard options commonly include bags up to 23 kg each; some destinations and premium choices may permit heavier allowances at different fees. Oversize or overweight items, and certain sporting equipment, require separate allowances and may incur extra charges. Check the specific limits and fees shown in Manage Bookings before purchase, since permitted numbers and weights can differ by route and fare type.
Is it cheaper to add hold luggage online or at the airport, and how late can I add it?
Adding hold luggage online is normally less expensive than paying at the airport. Prices rise as departure approaches, and airport rates are the highest. Online additions are usually accepted until the online check-in deadline for your flight. After that point you can still add bags at the check-in desk or bag drop, but expect a bigger fee. To avoid surprise costs, add the required baggage as soon as your plans are final and review the fee table shown in your booking before confirming the purchase.
