Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimensions?

[bretto]

Hi,

Off to the US for the first time this December & the baggage side of things is doing my head in!

QANTAS states:

Total dimensions of the two (2) pieces must not exceed 106in (270cm) with no one (1) piece exceeding 62in (158cm). Dimensions for checked baggage are calculated by adding together the width, height and depth of the piece of baggage.

I have bought
1 x large case - 82cm x 50cm x 32cm (164cm) Already over the limit...
1 x small case - 56cm x 35cm x 23cm (114cm)
TOTAL (278cm) 8cm over the limit

I was considering swapping the small case for a medium case - 70cm x 48cm x 30cm (148cm)

This would take my total to 312cm. 42cm over the limit.

I assume this is way too far & will be noticed & bought up?

If QANTAS were to notice, what would they do with my bag? Their website says nothing about oversize baggage, only overweight.

Any help would be great...

 

[cove]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

Where are you going in the US and why so much luggage?
If you are planning several internal US flights then 2 bags will cost you.
Bags in the US are about half the cost you would pay in Australia.

 

[JohnM]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

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[Hvr]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

Hi bretto and welcome to AFF.

Do you have any status with QF? And what class are you flying?

A bog basic non-FF in economy can be almost guaranteed to pay extra. If you were a WP in F then it would probably be ignored.

 

[JohnM]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

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Sorry, this is the updated app going mad and posting into threads that I have merely viewed.

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

Personally, I think you would be unlucky to get snagged with the large+small scenario. If you were, it would be at check-in and they would simply refuse to allow you to check in one of your bags, probably the large one.

If you are worried about overall dimensions, surly you would be swapping the large case for a medium one, not the small one??

As cove says, if you are flying within the US, you will probably be paying for baggage so beware (that said, if you are taking an AA domestic flight in conjunction with your QF one, the QF (non paying) rules will apply).

I would definitely be swapping the large bag for a medium one. However, if there is a specific thing you are taking over there which requires the large dimension, have a look at the 'oversize baggage' rules - maybe you can pack it separately as oversize.

 

[jb747]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

Why so much luggage? They have shops there....

 

[Pointcollector]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

They may just charge you excess baggage and charge you on the volumetric weight if it exceeds the actual weight on the scales. LxWxH in cm / 6000 will give you the volumetric weight. It's the old ton of feathers taking up more space than a ton of bricks, the airlines have it both ways and get you on the greater.

 

[Boca68]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

I think you'll most likely go over the weight (23kgs? Assuming Economy ticket, Non-status?) first. The volume may be secondary.

Lay out everything you want and/or think you you'll need on the floor before you go packing.... Then put half back in the closet. And I'd suggest another half again!

Seriously! Put it back in the closet and the drawer. You will not need it.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

IMO you'll get pinged for being overweight not oversized.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

I've never seen any suitcase get knocked back because of its size - only its weight.

Just make sure neither of the bags exceeds a weight of 23kgs or 50lbs as you would be pinged for a heavy fee of AUD75.00 when departing Australia or approx USD100.00 within the US depending on the airline involved.

If your internal USA flights are on your QF international ticket you should receive the same baggage allowance of 2 pieces that you get on the QF trans-Pacific flights.

If you have a separate ticket on AA for onward travel the same day your QF flight arrives in the US, QF will through check your bag to your final destination so you won't be charged by AA for the luggage.

The same applies in reverse where if you have a separate AA ticket eg MIA/LAX connecting with QF LAX/SYD, AA will through check your bags to SYD honouring the QF baggage allowance so you won't need to pay AA any baggage fees as long as it doesn't exceed the QF allowance.

 

[Buzzard]

Re: Flying to the US. How strict are QANTAS re: their 270cm checked baggage dimension

Oz, you are always a wealth of information