Everyone likes to make the most of their travel plans – whether it’s an adventure trip, a beach holiday or jet-setting for business. There are so many low-cost options for travel these days; it’s often hard to choose. But with the help of these low-cost airlines and package travel companies most of us can get away for a reasonable price, and, no matter what your travel plans are, the chances are you’ll be looking to make your money stretch as far as possible.

Unfortunately, rising costs do mean that airlines and travel companies are finding it harder to give you more for less. There is often no other way to handle the increasing expenses other than passing on extra costs the customer. One of the most common extra charges is a fee for over-weight baggage, as more weight in an aeroplane means more fuel and energy costs for the operator. Most travel plans are now restricted by a baggage weight limit of only 20 kilograms (44 pounds) per person, but in some cases this can be even less.

Those good, old, reliable suitcases hidden in most people’s wardrobes - usually still complete with a few grains of sand from that last beach holiday - are no longer as practical as they once were. Some traditional style suitcases can weigh up to 6 kilograms (13 pounds) just on their own. That’s over a quarter of your total baggage allowance gone before you've even begun packing! And, once you’ve packed those guide books or a few extra toiletries, the weight can really add up. Before you know it, your bag is over-weight and you are being charged a fee for excess baggage. This fee could end up costing you more than your flight did in the first place – which is not a good start to your journey.

One of the best solutions to the baggage weight issue is to invest in a new set of lightweight luggage. Purchasing lightweight luggage means you can get a sturdy, long-lasting luggage solution without the excess weight. The largest suitcase in most lightweight collections can weigh up to 60% less than the non-lightweight alternative. Funky designs and classic colours mean you won’t need to compromise on style either. Plus, you won’t have to leave your best travel purchases behind just to adhere to the baggage allowance.

Also, lightweight hand luggage can help make journey even cheaper. Airlines encourage you to travel light to keep their costs down, many offering lower fares if you only have hand luggage. And it’s important to keep your hand luggage as light as possible, especially so you don’t injure yourself or others when you lift it into an overhead compartment. Lightweight luggage is a great solution to the stringent baggage weight limits and means you will be able to get extra enjoyment out of your next travel plans.

Isla Campbell writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.