How many points for pre-purchased excess baggage?

[waldog]

Hi everybody, first time poster here.

I'm flying to Edinburgh in March and i'm wanting to take my bike with me, it will be boxed up and probably just shy of 20kg.

I want to pre-purchase my excess baggage, and hopefully do this with my frequent flyer points.

Is anybody able to tell me what the points cost is per 5kg purchased for Melbourne to London?

Thanks in advance.

Grant.

 

[futaris]

Cash only.

Fly - Baggage - Additional Baggage

 

[Mal]

Welcome waldog

Cash only.

Fly - Baggage - Additional Baggage

Actually, they now appear to allow points instead of cash.

You can pay for Additional Baggage Allowance using credit or debit card or by redeeming Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

Although I'm not sure of the rates and they don't appear to be quoted anywhere. I also don't have any close bookings that I can check the quotes on. I'd assume a 'cost' of 100 points /$, plus a few extra points added on. So for MEL-LHR on the one ticket should be around 17500-20000 points each way.

How are you getting from LHR-EDI? Plane / Train / something else? There could also be considerations on excess baggage for that flight if you're flying.

 

[waldog]

Cash only.

Hi thanks for the reply,

I had previously viewed the page you linked to in your post. It makes reference to being able to use points for excess baggage below the first table containing international pricing.

I've tried to get through to Qantas, but was on hold for a so long i ended up hanging up.

Grant.

 

[waldog]

Welcome waldog



Actually, they now appear to allow points instead of cash.



Although I'm not sure of the rates and they don't appear to be quoted anywhere. I also don't have any close bookings that I can check the quotes on. I'd assume a 'cost' of 100 points /$, plus a few extra points added on. So for MEL-LHR on the one ticket should be around 17500-20000 points each way.

How are you getting from LHR-EDI? Plane / Train / something else? There could also be considerations on excess baggage for that flight if you're flying.

Hi Mal, i will be flying from LHR-EDI with BA. I will be purchasing an extra checked item with them also.

Thanks for the input!!

 

[futaris]

I expect that it would be like an any seat redemption, i.e. 1 QFF point = 1c.

e.g. for 25kg $875, or 87,500 QFF points.

NB, if this is correct, it is almost the cost of a disc economy - business upgrade, which would give you 30kg vs 23kg.

If you really want to take a lot of baggage, you should probably fly via the USA, or have some status...

*G will give 20kg free. QF Plat gives 15kg, QF Silver/Gold gives 10kg.

 

[Joshua]

I expect that it would be like an any seat redemption, i.e. 1 QFF point = 1c.

e.g. for 25kg $875, or 87,500 QFF points.

Actually I believe it was more, unfortunately. I can't check now - only have a domestic multi city trip which results in the excess baggage option being greyed out. I think it was closer to every 5kg on domestic routes costing $35 or 5000 QFF points. It's more like QP membership for points in redemption value.

 

[waldog]

Mmmm, i'm thinking that i may need to use another option. I have been looking into and excess baggage company, and on first impressions it appears that it will be considerably cheaper.

 

[Mal]

Mmmm, i'm thinking that i may need to use another option. I have been looking into and excess baggage company, and on first impressions it appears that it will be considerably cheaper.

May be the best way when you add up the additional costs (BA will charge you £28/£35 each way (online fee vs airport fee) for an additional bag ).

If using an Excess Baggage company, you do need to factor in when the bike will arrive and where to send it to etc.

Here's what I calculate price wise for an additional 5kg (or one 'additional' bag for BA)

Online:
$175 + $49 + $49 + $175 = $448
At Airport:
$250 + $62 + $62 + $250 = $624

I presume you would have more than 5Kg extra though due to carrying bike gear, and your normal clothes etc.

The other option would be to send it as Unaccompanied Baggage - but that will most of the same issues/benefits as an Excess Baggage company at probably 150% of the cost. If interested in finding out the price, contact Qantas Freight.

 

[Mal]

If you really want to take a lot of baggage, you should probably fly via the USA, or have some status...

I think BA have reduced the baggage allowance USA-UK back to 1 bag now, so that won't work.

The other option is to buy Qantas Club membership and get the additional 10Kg allowance to the UK, but of course that won't help with BA excess luggage charges.

 

[Mal]

I expect that it would be like an any seat redemption, i.e. 1 QFF point = 1c.

Found the option online to get a quote for some excess baggage. The rate is close to 1.5QFF=1c...

1 point = $0.007 equivalent, so would add up to be a hefty amount for most rates.

 

[Commuter]

I'd suggest flying on BA-operated aircraft instead. Their excess baggage charges are far, far lower than that of QF for SYD-LHR - £72 from memory, if paid in advance.

Also for connecting flight from LHR to EDI, make sure you are able to pay at BA's excess baggage rate, not QF's.