Baggage Allowance Changes

[bigjobs]

baggage allowances for SG people have been increased to 2 pieces at 23kg each.

ahhh, back to normal.

bloody idiots.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Refresh my memory - what was the old allowance for SG? (except for a SG flying in J, where the allowance was the "maximum" of 2 x 32 kg IIRC).

Mainly only for Dom->Int check-ins, otherwise I don't see why the savvy QFF elite can't effectively use the other NGCI components to fly through check-in.

I have to say that my experience using NGCI since its inception has been naught but brilliant, including Q Bag Tags. I know this contrasts quite a bit with other members here, but so be it.

Some people regardless of status just don't like using computers & will happily stand in a queue for 20 minutes rather than do automated checkin even if someone offers to assist them with the process.

Didn't WP's get an increase in June, when everyone else got sliced?

Yes WP's now get 2 @ 32 kgs with the old allowance being multiple pieces up to a total weight of 38 kgs with excess kilos above that charges at $10.00 per kilo & was effective April 2009 IIRC.

Prior to April 2009 everyone who was PS & above could all checkin 3 pieces @ 32 kgs pp where NB & no status got 2 pieces @ 32 kgs although ticketed allowance said one piece.

FYI the former SG allowance was multiple pieces up to a total weight of 33 kilos & excess charged at $10.00 per kg after that.

+1 (vigorously). And allowing the lower ranks back into the premium queues also meets one of the objections many of us had when the "enhancement" was introduce.

Well done, QF.

The "lower ranks" could previously use the Premium checkin queue until 01 Feb 2011 so giving them access to it was really just reinstating a published benefit they'd had anyway that maybe should not have been removed in the first place.

Note SG's get 2 @ 23 when travelling in whY & 2 @ 32 in J.

	Allowance
Economy	1 piece (maximum 23kg)
Business	1 piece (maximum 32kg)
Qantas Club members	1 piece (maximum 32kg) regardless of travel class
Silver Frequent Flyers	1 piece (maximum 32kg) Economy 2 pieces (maximum 32kg each) Business
Gold Frequent Flyers	2 pieces (maximum 23kg) Economy 2 pieces (maximum 32kg each) Business
Platinum Frequent Flyers	2 pieces (maximum 32kg each) regardless of travel class

 

[simongr]

Hmm so the only baggage benefit for WP over a gold or silver is an extra bag in whY over PS and an extra 9KG over SG in whY. that's heaps!

 

[samh004]

Got my email this morning, it’s a welcome change as only being able to check 1 bag at SG level was a bit of a kick in the teeth. Doubt I'll be using it anyway, but handy to have it there.

Can’t say changing one thing is making me reconsider them a whole lot more though. Real enhancements would be preferable.

 

[oz_mark]

Hmm so the only baggage benefit for WP over a gold or silver is an extra bag in whY over PS and an extra 9KG over SG in whY. that's heaps!

Actually, I am not too sure of the way it is written. I assume golds get 2 bags at 23kg each (although it doesn't say each), which would be 18kg less.

If it is 23kg total, then golds get a lower allowance than silver :shock:

 

[dfcatch]

Hmm so the only baggage benefit for WP over a gold or silver is an extra bag in whY over PS and an extra 9KG over SG in whY. that's heaps!

This is good.

A win-win for both SG and WP still gets a better deal.

Why wouldn't you be happy with this?

Stop making an assessment on WP by looking at what SG get. (Other than to assess whether you personally feel the extra SCs are worth it)

One day when you drop to SG, you'll be grateful for SG having improved benefits.

 

[Danger]

Actually, I am not too sure of the way it is written. I assume golds get 2 bags at 23kg each (although it doesn't say each), which would be 18kg less.

If it is 23kg total, then golds get a lower allowance than silver :shock:

I see what you're saying. Someone forgot to put "each" in the updated Gold part.

 

[simongr]

Actually it isnt a win win - you have to look at how allowances have changed. As a WP travelling in J I used to get 45KG and no limit on the number of bags. Now I get 64KG and am limited to 2 bags. I don't want to lug 2 x 32KG bags and I might have some bags that are actually light (stroller was a good example - separate bag but only 13KG).

You have to look at the distinction between WP and SG. Should I maintain WP or drop to SG and book other flights to JED on Ethiad which would be an easier journey. QF are not giving me an incentive to book a flight on their code by improving the SG offering and not improving the WP offering.

 

[ausi ski bum]

Kewl 46 kg baggage allowance just in time for my Japan Ski trip, I'll take it with a smile on my face.

 

[mikew]

What would happen if a SG rocked up with only 1 bag at @ 30kg now?

Would there be excess baggage charges or would it be allowed?

 

[dfcatch]

Actually it isnt a win win - you have to look at how allowances have changed. As a WP travelling in J I used to get 45KG and no limit on the number of bags. Now I get 64KG and am limited to 2 bags. I don't want to lug 2 x 32KG bags and I might have some bags that are actually light (stroller was a good example - separate bag but only 13KG).

You have to look at the distinction between WP and SG. Should I maintain WP or drop to SG and book other flights to JED on Ethiad which would be an easier journey. QF are not giving me an incentive to book a flight on their code by improving the SG offering and not improving the WP offering.

Yes - I accept your argument here.

Personally - I like the piece system. I've always been used to it here and in the US, and I was quite happy under the old, old system (pre-weight system, pre-current piece system). The latest incarnation seems fairer to me.

Obviously YMMV depending on your baggage configuration - but for me - I was always traveling with sporting equipment and 32kg was quite easy to achieve.

 

[richie9x]

To me SGs getting two bags checked in seems like a good thing for WPs. Prior to the change if an SG has two bags then they would have likely checked one in and took the other one as carry on to avoid the extra fee. Now an SG can check both bags in. Hopefully freeing up some space in the overhead lockers for WPs.

 

[JohnK]

Except the current platinums :shock:

Current Platinums are not happy anyway so Qantas does not have that much to lose.

There is a huge difference between Platinum and Gold yet Qantas thinks they should both, almost, get the same benefits.

 

[equus]

Interesting typo on the QF website at the moment (demoting SG in the baggage stakes), if seeking to purchase additional baggage allowance

Qantas Baggage | Pre Paid Additional Baggage

• Non-Frequent Flyers, Gold and Bronze Frequent Flyers travelling in Economy - 23kg per piece. If your bag is over this weight (up to 32kg) a Heavy Charge will be imposed at the airport.
• All other tiered Frequent Flyers, Qantas Club members and those travelling in Business - 32kg per piece.

Those pesky SG only get 23kg additional pieces (to make up for their recent gains in standard allowance, no doubt), but PS gets additional pieces at 32kg per piece.

I suspect this is actually a typo (feedback submitted to QF), but it could perhaps be intentional

 

[TheInsider]

Interesting typo on the QF website at the moment (demoting SG in the baggage stakes), if seeking to purchase additional baggage allowance
I suspect this is actually a typo (feedback submitted to QF), but it could perhaps be intentional

Sounds right. SG's are entitled to 2 bags at 23kgs each, anything over 23kgs will be a heavy charge. Including the pre-purchased excess baggage.
Qantas Club, Silver, get 1 bag at 32kgs max only.

 

[equus]

Sounds right. SG's are entitled to 2 bags at 23kgs each, anything over 23kgs will be a heavy charge. Including the pre-purchased excess baggage.
Qantas Club, Silver, get 1 bag at 32kgs max only.

Note: All of the below (and previous) was about Domestic only.

Something is confused - either the T&C, or the website (I suspect a lack of updates since the SG baggage allowance change).

The #heavy charge explicitly (on the excess baggage charges table) states that it does not apply to Silver, Gold, Platinum or QC - for airport excess baggage charges. So, if paying for excess at the airport - it refers to "extra pieces" and there is no charge for "heavy" for Gold. That seems to imply, that despite the Gold allowance being 2x23kgs, checking in 2x32kgs would lead to "heavy" charges on the two pieces - which are waived for Gold. Go figure.

It seems that there is a hole in the various charges, which effectively mean that Gold domestically get 2x32kg, despite the allowance now reflecting 2x23kg since the change, as the advertised policy is that there is no "heavy" charge for Gold.

It seems strange that for purchasing extra bags, there would be an intention to restrict Gold to 23kgs, when Silver purchasing an extra, would get 32kg (despite the differences in included allowance to start with). The price paid is the same, the extra work/cost is the same, but a Gold is intended to get less for their purchase than a Silver? :shock:

 

[serfty]

Qantas Baggage | Checked Baggage Allowance

Silver Frequent Flyers	1 piece (maximum 32kg) Economy 2 pieces (maximum 32kg each) Business
Gold Frequent Flyers	2 pieces (maximum 23kg each) Economy 2 pieces (maximum 32kg each) Business

Qantas Baggage | Pre Paid Additional Baggage

• Non-Frequent Flyers, Gold and Bronze Frequent Flyers travelling in Economy - 23kg per piece. If your bag is over this weight (up to 32kg) a Heavy Charge will be imposed at the airport.
• All other tiered Frequent Flyers, Qantas Club members and those travelling in Business - 32kg per piece.

It's obvious to me, Domestically in economy PS get 1 x 32kg, SG get 2 x 23kg (= up to 46kg).

However, there does appear to be a miscue ...

Qantas Baggage | Pre Paid Additional Baggage

Destination	Ticketed in Piece (AUD)
Australia Domestic (including QantasLink)+	1st extra piece $30 2nd and subsequent extra piece $60 each $20 heavy charge for each piece weighing over 23kg[SUP]#[/SUP]

[SUP]#[/SUP] Not applicable for Silver, Gold, and Platinum Frequent Flyers, Qantas Club members and customers travelling in Business.

 

[monoccular]

I was caught between options today - Gold and Qantas Club

One bag, 28 kgm

As a Qantas Club member that is within allowance

As a Gold FF it is over the 23 kg limit for each of two bags

Ended up being charged $20

Not happy. The check in staff were also confused.

I have emailed Qantas re the anomaly / contradiction / inconsistency and await their reply

Has anyone else had this problem?

In my case it appears that I am actually penalized for being Gold vs ordinary Q Club member.

 

[dfcatch]

Again - the old system (prior to the weight system) was:

1 x 32kg

Plus

QP members could have an additional 1 x 32 kg.

I liked the old system.

 

[serfty]

...
In my case it appears that I am actually penalized for being Gold vs ordinary Q Club member.

Absolutely!

However it does pay to know your allowance before heading to the airport.

One item that can be invaluable occasionally is a simpe zipped carry bag that folds flat. These weigh 50gm-100gm and can be purchased very cheaply in $1 or $2 shops. V. Useful in situations like the OP's

Or you can go "up market": Search Results