If someone in your party has had to drop out of your upcoming trip, we know it’s disappointing. You might be wondering what happens to the suitcase space you’ve already paid for, so here is everything you need to know to avoid any hiccups at the airport.
Is the luggage refundable?
Sadly, much like the flights themselves, luggage is non-refundable once it’s been booked. If a member of your group is removed from the booking or simply can’t make it to the airport on the day, the airline won't be able to refund the cost of that bag.
Can another passenger use the extra allowance?
It seems only natural to want to share that extra space among the rest of the group, but airlines are actually quite strict about this for security reasons. Here is why it's usually a no-go:
It’s in their name: Baggage allowance is tied specifically to the individual passenger's name on the ticket. If that person isn't standing at the check-in desk with you, their allowance effectively disappears.
Security protocols: For safety, airlines simply cannot check in a bag for someone who isn't physically boarding the aircraft.
No "pooling" weight: You won't be able to add their weight limit to your own. For example, if you have a 20kg limit and the person staying home also had 20kg, you can't check in one big 40kg bag or two bags under your name without being charged for extra allowance yourself.
What should I do? 💁♀️
If you still really need that extra suitcase for your holiday essentials, the best thing to do is add a new bag specifically to the name of someone who is still travelling. You can do this easily through your account—just have a look at our guide on how to add luggage to your booking to get that sorted.