Excess Baggage Fees in Malaysia: What You Need to Know

Excess baggage fees can quickly turn a smooth travel experience into an expensive hassle. For Malaysian travellers, understanding how different airlines charge for extra luggage and knowing smart ways to manage your bags can save you both money and stress. In this guide, we’ll share practical tips to help you avoid those unexpected airport charges and enjoy a hassle-free journey.

Purchase Extra Baggage Allowance in Advance

When it comes to travelling, one of the smartest money-saving tips is to buy additional baggage allowance before you head to the airport. Compared to paying for excess baggage at the check-in counter, pre-booking your baggage online can be significantly cheaper — in some cases, up to 50% less. Airlines understand that it's not always easy to stick to strict weight or size limits, especially if you're heading for a longer trip or bringing back souvenirs. That’s why many carriers offer flexible options to add baggage by weight or by piece at the time of booking, or even later via their website or mobile app.

For example, low-cost carriers like AirAsia, Batik Air, and MYAirline often charge a premium at the airport for overweight luggage — sometimes upwards of RM60–RM80 per extra kilogram. In contrast, their prepaid baggage rates online are much more budget-friendly and can be customised according to your travel needs. Some airlines even allow you to add extra baggage up until a few hours before departure, making it easy to manage last-minute packing changes. If you know you're not travelling light, pre-purchase your baggage allowance to avoid the stress and expense of hefty airport charges. It's a small step that can save you a lot of money and hassle on travel day.

Weigh Your Luggage as You Pack

One of the easiest ways to avoid unexpected excess baggage fees is to weigh your luggage while packing. It may seem like a small detail, but being mindful of your bag’s weight can save you from the stress — and cost — of repacking at the airport check-in counter. If you find your suitcase bursting at the seams the night before your flight, take the opportunity to reassess what you really need. Remove any backup clothing or extra shoes you’re unlikely to wear, and weigh your bag again. This simple process can prevent last-minute charges that can cost upwards of RM60–RM80 per kilo with certain budget airlines.

Instead of struggling to balance your suitcase on a bathroom scale, invest in a portable digital luggage scale. They’re affordable, lightweight, and easy to find online or at local travel shops in Malaysia. Having one in your carry-on also comes in handy for your return journey, especially if you plan to bring back shopping or souvenirs.

Pro Packing Tips:

• Distribute weight evenly between checked and carry-on luggage to maximise your allowance.
• Use packing cubes to better organise and compress clothes, which may help save space and make repacking easier.
• Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the flight to free up luggage space.
• Always check your airline’s baggage policy, as weight and size limits can vary significantly between carriers.

Share Luggage with Your Travel Companion

Travelling with friends or family? One clever way to avoid excess baggage charges is to share checked luggage and distribute the weight strategically among your group. If your suitcase is overweight, but your travel partner’s is under the limit, simply balance the load between both bags — this could help you avoid unnecessary fees at the check-in counter.

Many airlines, especially low-cost carriers flying from Malaysia, are strict about individual baggage allowances. However, if you’re travelling together, you can ask the airline staff to weigh your bags together. Some check-in counters are flexible and will allow you to combine your baggage allowance without requiring you to physically repack. But if the rules are enforced strictly, you can always move items around in a nearby restroom or empty space at the terminal.

For those who prefer to plan ahead, note that some full-service airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways use a weight-based baggage policy rather than per-piece limitations. For example, if you’ve purchased a 40kg baggage allowance, you can spread that weight across two or more bags, regardless of which traveller they belong to, as long as the total doesn’t exceed the limit.

Extra Tips for Group Travellers:

• Coordinate your packing beforehand to avoid duplication of items like toiletries, chargers, or hairdryers.
• Use a portable luggage scale to weigh each bag in advance and make adjustments at home instead of the airport.
• If you're travelling as a family, assign heavier items (like shoes or electronics) to younger travellers or those with lighter luggage.
• Consider booking baggage as a group when purchasing tickets, as some airlines offer bundled discounts for shared weight limits.

Use Lightweight Luggage for Maximum Space

When it comes to avoiding excess baggage fees, the real culprit might not be your spare swimsuit — it could be your luggage itself. Many travellers overlook the fact that older or traditional hard-shell suitcases can be surprisingly heavy, eating into your weight allowance before you even start packing. For example, a standard medium-sized suitcase may weigh around 4.1kg, while a modern lightweight version can be as little as 2.2kg. That’s nearly 2kg of extra packing space simply by switching to a lighter bag. Over the years, brands have developed durable yet ultra-light luggage that’s perfect for air travel — ideal for Malaysian travellers flying with weight-sensitive budget airlines.

If you're going on a short trip or planning to travel light, consider using a sturdy canvas duffel bag or a travel backpack. Not only are they more flexible and lightweight, but they're also easier to store and handle, especially when you're navigating tight airport spaces or public transport abroad.

Extra Tips for Choosing Lightweight Luggage:

• Compare empty bag weights before buying — even bags of the same size can vary by 1–2kg.
• Look for luggage made from materials like polycarbonate, ripstop nylon, or high-grade polyester, which offer durability without bulk.
• Choose bags with fewer compartments or built-in hardware, as these features often add weight.
• For carry-on bags, make sure the dimensions comply with your airline's rules — weight is just one part of the equation.

Make Full Use of Your Cabin Baggage Allowance – Malaysia Airlines Edition

One of the smartest ways to avoid excess baggage charges is to take full advantage of your cabin baggage allowance, especially when flying with full-service carriers like Malaysia Airlines. By packing strategically, you can reduce the amount of checked luggage you need — and in some cases, avoid paying for extra baggage altogether.

Malaysia Airlines allows Economy Class passengers to bring one piece of cabin baggage with a maximum weight of 7kg, plus one small personal item such as a handbag, laptop bag, or camera bag. For Business and First-Class passengers, the allowance increases to two pieces of cabin baggage, with a combined weight of 14kg. This is a great opportunity to pack your most valuable and heavy items — such as electronics, travel documents, or even a change of clothes — into your carry-on bag to save weight in your checked luggage.

Tips for Maximising Your Cabin Baggage with Malaysia Airlines:

• Use a lightweight cabin-sized suitcase or sturdy backpack that complies with the size limit of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.
• Choose a spacious personal item like a tote or a laptop backpack to carry essentials such as chargers, medication, and toiletries.
• Pack heavier items in your carry-on, and lighter, bulkier ones (like jackets or laundry) in your checked bag.
• Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket during boarding to reduce carry-on weight.
• Remember that Malaysia Airlines enforces the 7kg limit, so it's wise to use a portable luggage scale to check beforehand.

Excess Baggage Fees by Airline: What Malaysian Travellers Should Know

Whether you’re flying for a quick regional getaway or a long-haul adventure, exceeding your baggage allowance can result in unexpected charges at the airport. To help you plan smarter, here’s a comparison of excess baggage fees across popular airlines commonly used by Malaysian travellers, including carriers from Singapore, China, and the Philippines.

 Smart Baggage Tips for Malaysian Travellers:

• Book online early to save more — excess baggage booked at the airport can cost up to twice as much.
• Use a digital luggage scale at home to avoid surprises.
• If you're flying multiple airlines, check which airline’s policy applies to your entire itinerary — it’s often the strictest.
• Compare airlines' baggage add-on prices during flight booking, especially when flying budget carriers.

 Final Tips for Avoiding Excess Baggage Fees

Excess baggage fees can quickly add up and spoil the start of any trip. By planning ahead—whether it’s weighing your luggage at home, booking extra baggage online, or choosing airlines with more generous allowances—you can avoid last-minute stress and unnecessary expenses. With smart packing and a little research, Malaysian travellers can fly smarter and make every journey smoother.