Baggage..The hidden cost

[Flashback]

the inescapable point here is that most Price is one of the most important issues to most people...so ANYTHING that can sustantialy impact the price should be brought to the attention of the customer...especialy when it is buried in the fine print and IS NOT consistant between suppliers (Airlines in this case)...hence I feel cheated!

Did you actually mention to the TA that baggage was important?

 

[medhead]

Yes Medhead and the dealer would be in breach of the Godds act as you are entitled to rely on the skill and judgement of a person who calims to be an professional in that field!
Guess T A 's are special!

Rubbish the car person is a salesman acting for the car dealer. They are not an agent for the purchaser like a TA. The salesman has to answer your questions truthfully. If you tell them your requirements, i.e. I need a car with an engine, they can't lie or mislead you. But if you don't ask if the car has an engine or don't state that you need a car that can drive straight away, the salesman is not required to tell you because they can't second guess your needs. That is the issue did you tell the TA about your luggage requirements?

 

[JohnK]

A TA would have known the baggage allowance differences.

To me, unless the TA was told that luggage allowance was an issue, I don't see that the TA did anything wrong.

Luggage allowance should be an issue regardless of what someone has told the travel agent was important.

How about if the carrier recommended by the travel agent and later booked only had 15kg luggage allowance or worse still did not have any complimentary luggage allowance.

Even if I said to the travel agent that airfare and routing are most important they are still obliged to let me know things like luggage allowance, seat pitch, meals etc.

Oh, my bad 3 pairs of pants and 5 shirts. Gee that'll make a massive difference for a month away. Might not have to wash for another 3 days!

Which ever way you look at it 3kgs is quite a lot but I see your point.

 

[Flashback]

Luggage allowance should be an issue regardless of what someone has told the travel agent was important.

How about if the carrier recommended by the travel agent and later booked only had 15kg luggage allowance or worse still did not have any complimentary luggage allowance.

Even if I said to the travel agent that airfare and routing are most important they are still obliged to let me know things like luggage allowance, seat pitch, meals etc.


Which ever way you look at it 3kgs is quite a lot but I see your point.

I imagine though that if there was no luggage included, that would have been mentioned. When only 3kg difference between 2 providers I wouldn't expect that to be mentioned unless baggage limits had been specifically mentioned.

 

[kezsco]

I do agree that there are many airlines that have adopted 23kgs as their standard. And this number will increase as the accepted 'norm' changes. The list the OP has compiled is quite impressive, but head to head, the 20kg airlines would still be more prevalent.

I don't think it will be in 5 years time, but currently, that remains the case.

Personally, I find 23kgs insufficient, which is why I bother to fly QF with QP membership. However, I pay a premium for the membership (not to mention the premium for 'QF'). I like that different carriers have different standards (luggage, pitch, price, FFP etc). It allows us to pick and choose and makes for an interesting market. You either learn about it and specify it, or you ask the TA.

 

[serfty]

How much did the TA charge for there services?

This is relevant.

 

[mannej]

I imagine though that if there was no luggage included, that would have been mentioned. When only 3kg difference between 2 providers I wouldn't expect that to be mentioned unless baggage limits had been specifically mentioned.

+1.

I have mentioned that the typical values are changing. EK only introduced their 30kgs for Y-Class some time last year, before then it was 20kgs...

It is not consistent between carriers, and why does it have to be? QR clearly defines their limit, and makes no attempt to hide it. Did you mention that there was a requirement for a greater amount of checked in baggage? If so, then the TA should have recommended the EK option.

You state that the TA should know your mother would need a larger allowance as she is away for 4 weeks. This is irrelevant, as everyone's travel needs and expectations are different, and perhaps if using a TA in future, spoon feed exactly what you want, so you are more likely to get it.

 

[Flashback]

+1.

I have mentioned that the typical values are changing. EK only introduced their 30kgs for Y-Class some time last year, before then it was 20kgs...

It is not consistent between carriers, and why does it have to be? QR clearly defines their limit, and makes no attempt to hide it. Did you mention that there was a requirement for a greater amount of checked in baggage? If so, then the TA should have recommended the EK option.

You state that the TA should know your mother would need a larger allowance as she is away for 4 weeks. This is irrelevant, as everyone's travel needs and expectations are different, and perhaps if using a TA in future, spoon feed exactly what you want, so you are more likely to get it.

Exactly.. I did 4 weeks without any problems using 15kg, and that included a new set of clothes for every day over a week period easily!

 

[jackcollins1960]

Its why I dont use TA's. I travel to the USA at least 3 times a year, and the Pacific usualy 3 times a year also and I am fully aware of all the details when I travel. This time I did not have the time to research it all myself...so I used a TA thinking they would have the sense to point out major potential differences (like 20 KG only and $114 per KG)! Obviously I had to much faith inthem!
Oh and as for the Agents working for the traveler unlike the Car Salesman! Well Silly me...I thought the TA recieved a commission from the airline!!!!
Good Night

 

[serfty]

If the sole recompense the TA received was commission from the Airline then you got what you paid for.

Most TA charge a service fee these days as the commissions from the airlines are very scant.

Still, baggage is the sort of research I would expect a TA to do and advise their clients. That, visa requirements, catering, special meal availability and all that.

Many regulars of this forum know a lot more about travel than most TA's so rarely use them; doing all the research themselves.

Personally, I would book Qatar Airlines flights online myself (assuming the fares are the same).

 

[kezsco]

If the sole recompense the TA received was commission from the Airline then you got what you paid for.

+1 good TAs charge a fee, and are worth it.

 

[JohnK]

I imagine though that if there was no luggage included, that would have been mentioned. When only 3kg difference between 2 providers I wouldn't expect that to be mentioned unless baggage limits had been specifically mentioned.

Again it depends on what importance a person places on certain "extras".

Getting a little off-track here but a friend who is a director of a club was sent to the USA for meetings recently. The personal assistant booked V Australia as that was the cheapest at the last minute they needed to travel.

There were no problems with the V Australia flights and his only concern was "You only get 1 drink with the meal and had to pay $7, $8 or whatever per drink after the first one!". OK no big deal but if you are a person who likes to have 4-5 drinks on board then a $50 saving on airfares is no longer a saving.

For someone like me the difference between 20kg and 23kg luggage allowance (golf clubs + luggage + carry-on) is significant and I want to know upfront. Most people on AFF know exactly what is happening but there are also a lot of people who rely on others to provide them that information.

 

[medhead]

Oh and as for the Agents working for the traveler unlike the Car Salesman! Well Silly me...I thought the TA recieved a commission from the airline!!!!
Good Night

Yeah sure they might get a commission, but not from any one airline. Basicaly, the you've engaged a TA to represent you. That is why the bit you quoted from the legislation would be relevant. The TA is your "agent" and hence you have those protections mentioned about "professional best advice". Whereas the car salesman is the "agent" of the dealer they owe their "professional best advice" to the dealer not the buyer.

Seriously through, is your mum and dad going to be overweight? Maybe we might have some suggestions so they can take everything they need without paying for excess?

 

[Dave Noble]

Getting a little off-track here but a friend who is a director of a club was sent to the USA for meetings recently. The personal assistant booked V Australia as that was the cheapest at the last minute they needed to travel.

There were no problems with the V Australia flights and his only concern was "You only get 1 drink with the meal and had to pay $7, $8 or whatever per drink after the first one!". OK no big deal but if you are a person who likes to have 4-5 drinks on board then a $50 saving on airfares is no longer a saving.

Depends on whether the purchasing of alchohol is something that would expect the club to be paying for. Seems reasonable for him to be paying for his own additional alcohol rather than the club doing it. If he pays for the drinks himself , then the $50 saving is still there

 

[jackcollins1960]

I have to take my hat off to you all...you are passionate and relentless...yet there i the odd consession amongst your comments.
Guys she is 85. her partner is 75...they come froma different era. They take everything because they always could on their travels and my mum must always look her best, meaning a suit for all occassions. I travel 1st or business class but am lucky to take 20KG of clothes..thats the era I grew up in. I am genuinly amazed at this 20KG talk...ALL the airlines I fly with are 23KG...I gues its because i fly QANTAS or one of their affilliates or i use an American carrier...none of these have 20KG limits. Pawltry by my experience....even the TA said in her email that she "..Knows 23KG is the usualy limit.." and YES I paid a booking fee as well.
IF I had the time I would have research this trip for mum...but EOFY is flat out for me and my Sisters Breast cancer would not wait...mum needed to get a trip booked to the UK to see her...even though its late sept departure ...so i thought a TA was the answer...BUZZZZ

 

[Princess Fiona]

I have to take my hat off to you all...you are passionate and relentless...yet there i the odd consession amongst your comments.
Guys she is 85. her partner is 75...they come froma different era. They take everything because they always could on their travels and my mum must always look her best, meaning a suit for all occassions. I travel 1st or business class but am lucky to take 20KG of clothes..thats the era I grew up in. I am genuinly amazed at this 20KG talk...ALL the airlines I fly with are 23KG...I gues its because i fly QANTAS or one of their affilliates or i use an American carrier...none of these have 20KG limits. Pawltry by my experience....even the TA said in her email that she "..Knows 23KG is the usualy limit.." and YES I paid a booking fee as well.
IF I had the time I would have research this trip for mum...but EOFY is flat out for me and my Sisters Breast cancer would not wait...mum needed to get a trip booked to the UK to see her...even though its late sept departure ...so i thought a TA was the answer...BUZZZZ

Going against the trend of this thread, I actually agree with you. The TA should have at the very least pointed out the EK 30kg allowance in any comparison on fares. This is why time poor people use TA's. My own experience with them has been overwhelmingly positive but I think this TA needs some further training.

 

[jackcollins1960]

Thank you Princess Fiona

 

[QF029]

Its why I dont use TA's. I travel to the USA at least 3 times a year, and the Pacific usualy 3 times a year also and I am fully aware of all the details when I travel. This time I did not have the time to research it all myself...so I used a TA thinking they would have the sense to point out major potential differences (like 20 KG only and $114 per KG)! Obviously I had to much faith inthem!
Oh and as for the Agents working for the traveler unlike the Car Salesman! Well Silly me...I thought the TA recieved a commission from the airline!!!!
Good Night

Jack I find it hard to believe that you don't have the time when you waste so much time complaining on this site. Anyone with half a clue could research and book flights online within about 15 minutes which I suggest is less time than you spent with the travel agent.

I'd say that you failed your mother here so stop blaming the travel agent.

 

[kamchatsky]

jackcollins1960, that's why most of us here don't use TAs to book. We check all these things ourselves to ensure we get the best value. I personally found TA pretty useless and unhelpful these days, and never get the best deal for me.

Given you have booked it already, you may as well enjoy your trip?! Besides, I always found that it is better to pack it light than heavy.

 

[jackcollins1960]

dont suppose you are in the travel business?
yes I do have time today to complain on this forum...but not in the lasst few days and todays respite was unexpected. I acccept that I should have reserched this...a I normaly would have. Serves me write for trusting a TA is what your saying...because they obviously are under no obligation in your eyes to do anything that I could not do myself in 10 mins! despite my paying for their "professional" assistance!
Thanks again for your great insite