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๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Culture & Society

Viral Travel Hack Could Cost You Money and Even Your Flight Instead of Saving It

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Travellers have been using clothing-filled pillowcases as supposed personal items to carry more belongings without paying for extra baggage.
  • Travel experts warn that airlines may classify an overfilled pillowcase as baggage, with fees reportedly reaching ยฃ150.
  • A viral TikTok incident allegedly ended with a passenger paying a fee too late to board, while another expert said the technique can be useful only within existing baggage rules.

A pillowcase stuffed with clothes may look like a clever way to avoid baggage fees, but it could instead trigger an extra charge, boarding problems or even a missed flight.

The travel trick has spread on social media. Passengers fill a pillowcase with T-shirts, sweaters and other soft clothing, then carry it alongside their permitted cabin baggage. Because some airlines allow a pillow as a personal comfort item, travellers hope to gain extra storage space without paying for another bag.

Travel expert Amanda Parker of Netflights told The Mirror that some passengers use the method to avoid baggage fees that can reach ยฃ150. But an overfilled pillowcase may not look like an ordinary pillow. Airline staff could decide that it is actually an additional bag, and some low-cost carriers may treat any item used to carry personal belongings as baggage regardless of its appearance.

A pillowcase stuffed with clothing can raise suspicion.

· Amanda ParkerThe Netflights travel expert warned that airline staff may view an overfilled pillowcase as an extra bag.

A TikTok video illustrated the potential problem. According to the woman who filmed the incident, staff quickly recognised what was happening when a passenger tried to board with a pillowcase filled with clothes and other items. They offered him the chance to pay a fee, but he reportedly refused until the aircraft doors had closed. By the time he agreed to pay, it was too late for him to board. The witness said police were eventually called after a further dispute.

โ€œStop blindly following advice and tricks from social media because sometimes they simply will not work,โ€ the videoโ€™s author said. Parker warned that the attempt could slow boarding and that refusing a required fee could leave a passenger without a flight.

Lydia Mansel, a travel and packing expert and founder of Just Packed, was less opposed to the idea itself. She said filling a pillowcase with clothes can help lighten a suitcase and keep within the permitted weight. That, however, is different from using a pillowcase to evade limits on the number and size of bags.

Stop blindly following advice and tricks from social media because sometimes they simply will not work.

· Author of the viral videoThe witness commented after the reported boarding dispute.
About this summary

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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