golf clubs

[malard]

Hi FFs, anyone have experience taking full set of golf clubs from Newcastle (NSW) to Gold Coast (Qld). best airline? cost?

Thanks,

 

[samh004]

You have the choice of Virgin Blue or Jetstar, and I think if I was going for some leniency on taking an oversize item I’d choose Virgin Blue, but I’ll just check what each charges.

It’ll cost an extra $10 on either airline for up to 23kg checked baggage on Virgin Blue, or 20kg on Jetstar, but individual fares and flight times might be what decides it for you.

Flying back from the Gold Coast Jetstar has a pay-for-access lounge that’s quite nice, but Virgin Blue does not.

 

[malard]

Thanks Sam, really appreciate it.

 

[samh004]

Also see here, Bulky Items - At The Airport - Travel Information - Jetstar Airways, although it doesn’t specifically mention golf clubs.

Likewise for Virgin Blue, Virgin Blue Oversized baggage, and in fact their system that gives you an extra 5kg of allowance for sports equipment is very reasonable:

If you are travelling with Sports Equipment on a Virgin Blue domestic flight, you will be eligible to check-in an extra 5kg of baggage allowance free of charge. This additional allowance is allocated above your purchased checked baggage allowance for Blue Saver or GO! Fares or above the inclusive checked baggage allowance for Velocity Gold and Silver Members or for Guests travelling on Flexible, Corporate Plus or Premium Economy fares.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Flying back from the Gold Coast Jetstar has a pay-for-access lounge that’s quite nice, but Virgin Blue does not.

Do OWE get in for free?

 

[samh004]

Do OWE get in for free?

No.

A Qantas Platinum can, but the webpage contradicts itself between the FAQ saying no and the T&C’s saying yes, so I’d recommend printing the T&C’s if you were planning to make use of such access.

T&C’s:

1.9. Platinum Qantas Frequent Flyer members and Chairmans Lounge members may present a current membership card as a valid form of Gold Coast Lounge or Ākarana Lounge entry pass for themselves and 2 guests travelling on a qualifying flight. Bronze, Silver and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyer members and Qantas Club members travelling in economy must purchase entry.

FAQ Q10 & Q19:

Q. Can Frequent Flyers or Qantas Club members get free or discounted rates into the Gold Coast Lounge?
A. No, the Gold Coast Lounge is an independent Jetstar product offering. Jetstar is presently developing a Gold Coast Lounge membership offer. Details of this offer will be provided shortly. Introductory discounted rates are offered to all eligible Jetstar passengers.

Q. Do Qantas Club Members or Qantas Frequent Flyers receive complimentary access to the lounge?
A. The Gold Coast Lounge is not associated with the Qantas Club & Frequent Flyer program. As such, there is no special consideration given to Qantas Club Members or Qantas Frequent Flyers. All Jetstar passengers, regardless of Qantas Club membership or Qantas Frequent Flyer status, are subject to the same commercial entry conditions and payments.

I did not mention this as I didn’t see a FF status noted within the OP’s profile.

 

[Virgin Australia]

Likewise for Virgin Blue, in fact their system that gives you an extra 5kg of allowance for sports equipment is very reasonable:

The extra 5kgs for sporting goods is on top of the 23kgs of total weight you can take with you - giving you a total of 28kgs.
Your golf clubs will be considered to weigh 5kg (regardless of their actual weight).

More details are on our website.

So as long as you don't over pack (depending on how good you are at golf it might be worthwhile buying your golf balls when you get there!) you should be fine!

 

[samh004]

Your golf clubs will be considered to weigh 5kg (regardless of their actual weight).

Well actually I initially made that mistake, assuming the golf clubs would be assumed to weigh 5kg (regardless of their actual weight), but that line on your website actually specifically refers to Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue flights only:

If you are travelling with Sports Equipment on a Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue international flight, your baggage allowance will not be increased, but your Sports Equipment will represent 5kg of your baggage allowance (regardless of the actual weight of the equipment).

So the allowance will be 28kg on Virgin Blue, and we’d hope that golf clubs wouldn’t weigh that much, but Virgin Blue (according to the website) wont assume the golf clubs weigh only 5kg as it’s not an international flight.

If this is wrong, perhaps the website needs an update

 

[JohnK]

So the allowance will be 28kg on Virgin Blue, and we’d hope that golf clubs wouldn’t weigh that much, but Virgin Blue (according to the website) wont assume the golf clubs weigh only 5kg as it’s not an international flight.

A set of lightweight clubs and lightweight bag will weight just over ~8.5kgs. Not easy to get it much lower than that unless you leave some clubs behind or have a very small golf bag. In case you are interested the average golf ball weighs ~45gms.

Off-topic but I have been practicing keeping golf clubs and luggage to ~21.5kgs (plus ~7.5kgs carry on) for flights on TG and SQ as I am limited to a checked baggage allowance of 20kgs.