Charged EUR 37 for 1kg over at check-in (total 24kg)

[kooky]

Just heard first hand from someone today that when they checked in at HAM-LHR (BA) sold as QF3522 to QF30 (QF) to MEL on Thursday that they were charged 37 EUR for 1kg over, at 24kg!

I laughed that it must surely be BA going for a cash grab and they said the BA lady at checkin at HAM said "Qantas are being strict about it, new regulations, blah blah, it's Qantas".

What a joke. I recommend QF to people, I told this person to book QF because always gives people a fair go, and now this. Why should I in future recommend QF to anyone anymore if they want to be like that?? Don't a lot of people fly QF based on recommendations, particularly overseas travellers?

Fair enough if it was 28kg or whatever, but 1kg!!!

Is it zero tolerance now?? There are other airlines you know!!

1kg!!!!!!

 

[TheInsider]

Really what's the issue?

The free baggage allowance is 23kgs, not 24kgs.
Fly SG and get a 20kg allowance next time?

 

[markis10]

For that sort of money I would have repacked my bag and made carry on an extra 1kg heavier, rules are rules!

 

[cove]

I am with you markis10 on this one!

 

[kooky]

Really what's the issue?

The free baggage allowance is 23kgs, not 24kgs.
Fly SG and get a 20kg allowance next time?

Well next time you get a speeding ticket for doing 101km/h in a 100km/h zone you might feel the same. Heck you may as well have just done 109km/h eh!

Where's the discretion, the tolerance? It's that tolerance and discretion that makes me recommend QF to people, and if that is gone from the equation then the market is wide open to flying different carriers. Sure QF can go for every extra $1 they can, fair enough, but there is a 'tipping point' where it just goes a step too far, and 1kg, imho, is that tipping point. Maybe it's just something called "service". But what's left is "zero tolerance" and that ain't something I can recommend to people. Am I out of touch or are all other premium carriers now zero tolerance on 1kg over!!!!!? 9kg fine, 6kg fine, 3kg I understand in 2012 .. but 1kg!!

 

[TheInsider]

You checked in with BA, who's baggage allowance is strictly 23kgs. Because you had the connecting flight to QF they would've just blammed QF for this. If it was purely a BA flight you still would've been charged a 'heavy' fee.

 

[cove]

Kooky,you just repack....it takes about 60 seconds. You can carry a heavy jacket on your arm and no one comments or increase your carry on bag weight.

 

[kooky]

You checked in with BA, who's baggage allowance is strictly 23kgs. Because you had the connecting flight to QF they would've just blammed QF for this. If it was purely a BA flight you still would've been charged a 'heavy' fee.

Well either it's QF or it's not, are you suggesting the check-in person was LYING and BA are pocketing the money? If so, a formal complaint should be put in against this person.

 

[kooky]

Kooky,you just repack....it takes about 60 seconds. You can carry a heavy jacket on your arm and no one comments or increase your carry on bag weight.

Kooky wasn't on the flight! Kooky recommended QF as a great carrier. Kooky is an idiot and won't be doing that again! The 1400 EUR ticket cost can go to a different mob next time! And if enough Kookys start doing this the powers that be might fix their customer service to return to a level of a premium carrier!

Everyone's got their little "thing" that make QF a premium carrier, and when that little thing finally gets crossed off the list it's down to airline accident statistics only!

I guess in future I'l recommend Singapore or one of the Middle Eastern carriers, maybe Qatar, Etihad, etc. They might even have 20kg, but I bet there's tolerance. It doesn't matter what the published number is, it's tolerance at the end, and if it's now QF policy to punish people for 1kg, it's a real downer for the start of your Aussie holiday.

 

[Mal]

Well either it's QF or it's not, are you suggesting the check-in person was LYING and BA are pocketing the money? If so, a formal complaint should be put in against this person.

Under MSC, I believe that the Qantas allowance and rules will apply to the entire journey as Qantas is the Most Significant Carrier in the journey. They do have a $A50/kg (and $50 for > 23kg bag) overweight fee Australia-UK, I presume it would be similar coming back.

Now who pocketed the money? Don't really know. Even if the journey was completely on BA, the charge would have been similar (unless prepaid).

Baggage rules are messy and the old concept of leeway is disappearing. It is up to the traveller to know their rights and allowances, and be prepared to make arrangements when they don't meet them. (Eg, as advised above - I would probably transfer 1Kg to carry-on, or dispose of some old clothes).

It is frustrating overall, and this type of thing catches out many people. What is the answer? Get status to help with baggage allowances, or fly in a premium cabin or travel on airlines that are more prepared for leeway, eg Emirates which still has a 30kg limit for Economy.

 

[TheInsider]

Well either it's QF or it's not, are you suggesting the check-in person was LYING and BA are pocketing the money? If so, a formal complaint should be put in against this person.

The passenger checked in with BA NOT QF! Both airlines would pocket the money since BA has initiated the excess charges.

 

[TheInsider]

Under MSC, I believe that the Qantas allowance and rules will apply to the entire journey as Qantas is the Most Significant Carrier in the journey. They do have a $A50/kg (and $50 for > 23kg bag) overweight fee Australia-UK, I presume it would be similar coming back.

Australia-LHR on QF only is $50kg
Australia-LHR on QF and then BA from SIN/BKK/HKG is about $70kg
Australia-LHR on QF and then BA to a european destination is $74kg

AFAIK Res302 only applies to actual baggage allowance, not necessarly the excess charges.

 

[Deleted member 33742]

1 kg over is around 5 % of the luggage allowance.

I wonder if a ps was to go to the QC and say can I get in I'm only 35 status credits short. Or an SG wants first lounge access 70 short they should be granted this otherwise qantas are inflexible blah blah blah.

What about all the other 200 passengers who wasted time repacking and weighing their bag to do the right thing. Qantas should give them a big stuff you, your an idiot we will let thes guys on anyway. Do we all want something for nothing. Rather than be thankful if someone bends the rules, we expect it. Its not like it's hard to weigh your bags. Most airports have scales. But wait that takes effort.

 

[blackcat20]

I think it can be a bit hit and miss depending on who you get.

Two years ago I checked in for QF107 at LAX to JFK and was allowed my 27kg suitcase without issue. Yet my friend who checked in about an hour after me with the same weight had to split hers up.

Then last year, being checked in by BA staff for QF108, my suitcase was 25kg and my duffle bag 16kg. The check-in agent was happy for me to move something across to make my suitcase 24kg.

 

[kpc]

For that sort of money I would have repacked my bag and made carry on an extra 1kg heavier, rules are rules!

I am with you markis10 on this one!

Kooky,you just repack....it takes about 60 seconds. You can carry a heavy jacket on your arm and no one comments or increase your carry on bag weight.

Then last year, being checked in by BA staff for QF108, my suitcase was 25kg and my duffle bag 16kg. The check-in agent was happy for me to move something across to make my suitcase 24kg.

I would be throwing something out or putting on my heavy jacket etc, and TF some stuff to my hand luggage to save the Eur37:idea:. If I think I'm going to be close to the lugagge limit, I will weigh my luggage at the hotel; if your room doesn't have scales, you can always ask for one or take your luggage down to the gym for weighing.

 

[Austman]

Thetimes I've experienced this sort of 'meanness' (eg 1 kg over) on full service airlines is when I've checked-in on a multiple airline ticket. The check-in airline has always blamed the next airline saying "they are very strict with us" (or similar). It's even happened when I've checked-in with QF and was connecting to another airline.

Perhaps it's meanness between the airlines?

 

[Paul_PER]

Hmmm ... for EUR 37 versus 1 kg I would have been chucking out the underwear, the toothpaste, the socks, the old t-shirt, etc, etc .... great excuse to go shopping at the other end.

 

[elbarto]

And if enough Kookys start doing this the powers that be might fix their customer service to return to a level of a premium carrier!

And if they stop doing, QF flights will be loaded like an Indonesian passenger ship that has a dangerous list to the left. That hardly seems like being premium to me.

 

[serfty]

Agree with recent posters - 1kg?????

My pockets can hold 2Kg! (ir 3 if pressed).

Either the full story is not being told here or kooky's friend need re-education! :-|

 

[TheInsider]

Thetimes I've experienced this sort of 'meanness' (eg 1 kg over) on full service airlines is when I've checked-in on a multiple airline ticket. The check-in airline has always blamed the next airline saying "they are very strict with us" (or similar). It's even happened when I've checked-in with QF and was connecting to another airline.

Perhaps it's meanness between the airlines?

From what i've been advised, LY recently sent QF a nice message stating that when there are connecting passengers on their flights, the passengers MUST be charged when they check-in with QF if they are over their ticketed allowance. Otherwise that airline would charge them at their connecting port anyway, and could also push the charges back on to QF.

The joys of having interline agreements and also the joys of systems allowing IATCI.