British Airways luggage allowance and golf clubs

[JohnK]

My friend is going to BKK today on BA and called me earlier from SYD airport. Apparently he was charged $60 extra for golf clubs although he was well inside the total allowance allowed.

There is no additional allowance for sporting equipment, but it can still be carried free of charge as part of your free checked baggage allowance. If it is in addition to your free checked allowance, you will need to pay extra bag charges.

Am I reading this correctly? If the total allowance of the 2 bags is <23kgs then it should be OK to check-in golf clubs?

Now here is the weird part. He was upgraded to World Traveller Plus. :shock: No status and this is his 6th flight this year and the first on BA. I believe travellers in WT+ are allowed 2 bags anyway.

What gives?

I have a funny feeling he is not serious as he mentioned something along the lines of "I was asked to pay $60 for golf clubs but then upgraded to premium economy in exchange". :shock: Perhaps he is just winding me up.

If the story is true then is it worth it taking the matter further with BA? I have asked to keep the receipt. I shall see him in 4 days in Thailand....

 

[JohnK]

Receive an sms this morning that he has arrived and the golf clubs are broken during transportation.

It was quite late at night and he was not able to report it anywhere.

No travel insurance either. Will have a look at some options when I get there in a couple of days.

 

[serfty]

Receive an sms this morning that he has arrived and the golf clubs are broken during transportation.

It was quite late at night and he was not able to report it anywhere.

No travel insurance either. Will have a look at some options when I get there in a couple of days.

He needs to make a report ASAP; get documentation etc. The clock is ticking!!!

FWIW, BA's economy allowance is one piece up to 23kg. (British Airways - Checked baggage)

 

[Sprucegoose]

Report over Internet as a minimum, keep all documentation and this serves as a good reminder for travel insurance.

I hope they weren't Calloway Titianiums!

 

[JohnK]

He needs to make a report ASAP; get documentation etc. The clock is ticking!!!

He won't do anything. He is waiting for me to get there. What documentation do we need? All I can do is send an email to BA that golf clubs were damaged.

FWIW, BA's economy allowance is one piece up to 23kg. (British Airways - Checked baggage)

I am confused. What does BA mean by the statement "There is no additional allowance for sporting equipment, but it can still be carried free of charge as part of your free checked baggage allowance."? You can have checked luggage or golf clubs but not both? Sounds really really dumb. Even TG, SQ etc allow you take golf clubs as well as luggage. But too late now. We know for next time.

By the way if you get an op-up to premium economy do you now have the free baggage allowance for premium economy or your original booked class? Is an op-up any different to points upgrades?

 

[serfty]

Dumb or not ... it's one free piece with BA in coach - whether it's golf clubs or a suitcase.

These days with most airlines seemingly looking at generating additional revenue through any means they can, checked luggage is a target.

The onus is on every traveler to ensure they know their luggage requirements before travelling, and, if wanting to check both golf clubs and a suitcase, make sure they book an airline/fare that allows this.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

There was an interesting case in USA recently where a woman paid for a checked bag that was damaged/didnt turn up....Don't have the URL handy...

The fact your friend PAID for the service says to me that they are liable for damage.

 

[JohnK]

Dumb or not ... it's one free piece with BA in coach - whether it's golf clubs or a suitcase.

The statement about sporting equipment is misleading and confusing.

The onus is on every traveler to ensure they know their luggage requirements before travelling, and, if wanting to check both golf clubs and a suitcase, make sure they book an airline/fare that allows this.

Lesson learned.

 

[serfty]

... Lesson learned.

The rules keep changing - generally getting more restrictive - what was true in May may no longer be the case in November.

Of course in some cases it still may be more cost effective to purchase a ticket on a carrier where you need to pay for the golf clubs.