Posted on April 02, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

UK car hire  customers beware!  According to a study by Trading Standards, some airlines have been found guilty of over-charging passengers for check-in baggage at some British airports.

In one of its findings, the study reprts that check-in scales were faulty, so customers were falsely charged for excess weight.

The Institute visited one airline in particular after receiving numerous complaints about the baggage weighing scales.

Testing 18 sets of scales, officials found 10 were showing a weight on the machine even before the customer’s baggage was placed on the scales. 

Bruce Treloar, TSI’s national lead officer for holidays and travel said:

“The significance of these errors is compounded by the fact that all-check in staff at every airport in the UK can easily correct the indication on the scales by pressing a button, which sets the scale indication to zero, before the consumer is asked to put their baggage on.”

Other findings by the TSI include:

· Increasing confusion with baggage limits and extra charges levied by airlines when luggage is checked in at the airport, rather than online when the booking is made.
· Inaccuracy of scales used to weigh luggage at airport desk check-ins.

· Over-use of ‘tick boxes’ on websites.  One customer reported that they were required to put a tick in a box to avoid extra charges.

· Families with children and people with disabilities including those with visual impairment cannot check in baggage online, resulting in charges at the airport.