Baggage allowance - number of bags

troels

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Jul 6, 2015
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I have a booking with 2 x 23Kg allowance. Other airlines allow you to have this spread across multiple bags - does anyone know if Cathay are strict on this being across 2 bags only?

Tried to contact them and all their services are chatbots which cannot answer the question. I would like a written answer rather than calling, so I have some evidence if there's any issue at the airport.

I will be using Melbourne which has a bag drop facility - just wondering if this is hardcoded to only accept 2 pieces.

Alternatively, anyone have an email address for them?
 
I have a booking with 2 x 23Kg allowance. Other airlines allow you to have this spread across multiple bags - does anyone know if Cathay are strict on this being across 2 bags only?

Tried to contact them and all their services are chatbots which cannot answer the question. I would like a written answer rather than calling, so I have some evidence if there's any issue at the airport.

I will be using Melbourne which has a bag drop facility - just wondering if this is hardcoded to only accept 2 pieces.

Alternatively, anyone have an email address for them?
Strict on 2 bags only.

CX uses a piece system so the total weight across 3 or 4 or 5 bags does not matter. Hardcoded to 2 and agents will not do anything to help you.

They're strict about the weight amongst 1 bag as well, was at 24.5kg on one bag in Taipei and 15 on the other and had to repack.
 
Strict on 2 bags only.

CX uses a piece system so the total weight across 3 or 4 or 5 bags does not matter. Hardcoded to 2 and agents will not do anything to help you.

They're strict about the weight amongst 1 bag as well, was at 24.5kg on one bag in Taipei and 15 on the other and had to repack.
Okay, good to know. Thanks.
 
Definitely very strict on 2 bags only.

As for 1 bag being above 23kg but the other not - I have mixed experience in both Singapore and in Hong Kong. Some check-in agents let you get away with 25kg w/o repack, some don't. More so they do with me but I had to repack as well.
 
Definitely very strict on 2 bags only.

As for 1 bag being above 23kg but the other not - I have mixed experience in both Singapore and in Hong Kong. Some check-in agents let you get away with 25kg w/o repack, some don't. More so they do with me but I had to repack as well.
Can confirm this, I’ve had a repack when over 23kg in SIN and allowed 24.9kg in HKG aim for the hard 23kg rule to be safe and the convenience.
 
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Data point from today at in-town check-in at HKG station. Bag was 27kg. I tried to send it through a- cannot.

So I went back to machine to get a second tag to send two bags.

CX aunty stopped me asking whether there is a problem. I explained: overweight, cannot.

CX aunty checks my BP and sees my status, gives me a good old Canto lecture, and overrides the system at her check-in pod and sends the bag off. Lecture included the rules as well as this is a one-time exception 😝😝😝
 
Does anyone know if one can add luggage to Economy light or have to purchase Essential?

Cathay Economy light BNE-BKK return is around $900 return but Essential is $1200-$1300 return which is not worth it.
 
Does anyone know if one can add luggage to Economy light or have to purchase Essential?

Cathay Economy light BNE-BKK return is around $900 return but Essential is $1200-$1300 return which is not worth it.
Short answer - maybe. It reads as though you can't add it during booking process, but through MMB afterwards. (Point 2 under Eligibility)
Zone 1 to 4 comes in at USD153.


Of course, this is on top of the 1 x 23kg allowed under the Light fare.
oneworld Sapphire or Emerald will get an extra bag.

 
Last edited:
Short answer - maybe. It reads as though you can't add it during booking process, but through MMB afterwards. (Point 2 under Eligibility)
Zone 1 to 4 comes in at USD153.

Of course, this is on top of the 1 x 23kg allowed under the Light fare.
oneworld Sapphire or Emerald will get an extra bag.

Thanks.

I was under the impression that Economy Light had no luggage allowance. The 3 of us usually travel with 2 x 23kg + 1 x 16kg and 1 x 7kg which would be ok as I have Lifetime Gold with Qantas.

USD153 for 1 bag? Blimey.

When I was checking Trip.com last night it appears as though luggage is included but Cathay have not yet loaded October 2026 so can't get a good indication of return airfare to compare to SQ airfare.
 
I was under the impression that Economy Light had no luggage allowance. The 3 of us usually travel with 2 x 23kg + 1 x 16kg and 1 x 7kg which would be ok as I have Lifetime Gold with Qantas.

USD153 for 1 bag? Blimey.

99% of times booking Essentials is probably better if you need the extra bag. Notice fare differences of $70-$140AUD depending on the route.

But yeah if you have OWS, you should be gucci. Keep in mind on CX that it is only the status holder that will get the baggage allowance and complimentary seat selection. IIRC if your child is over the age of 12, there is a possibility that you won't be seated together unless you get the Essential fare or pay for seat selection.
 
Thanks.

I was under the impression that Economy Light had no luggage allowance. The 3 of us usually travel with 2 x 23kg + 1 x 16kg and 1 x 7kg which would be ok as I have Lifetime Gold with Qantas.

USD153 for 1 bag? Blimey.

When I was checking Trip.com last night it appears as though luggage is included but Cathay have not yet loaded October 2026 so can't get a good indication of return airfare to compare to SQ airfare.
Indeed, Light isn't as light-on as the name would imply. (Particularly with the right OW status).
Essential gets 2 bags without status, so not needed in your case.

Cathay does tend to be a little slower in loading the far end of the calendar, by all reports.
 
99% of times booking Essentials is probably better if you need the extra bag. Notice fare differences of $70-$140AUD depending on the route.

But yeah if you have OWS, you should be gucci. Keep in mind on CX that it is only the status holder that will get the baggage allowance and complimentary seat selection. IIRC if your child is over the age of 12, there is a possibility that you won't be seated together unless you get the Essential fare or pay for seat selection.
Daughter is 9 years old but we can look at seat selection.

Current SQ airfare for 3 of us is $3100. Cathay with luggage and seat selection needs to come in under.

Really miss the days of $750-$800 return airfares to BKK.
 

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