How strict are BA on their baggage allowances

[Reggie]

Can't find this elsewhere, however someone may have it hidden in a TR.

I know the rules, 1 x 23kg checked in bag per pax in economy except for BA Silver and Gold.

We are a party of 4, 1 WP, 1 SG, 1 NB nd 1 infant. Do you think we will be given a fifth bag for free on top of the 4 bags and stroller we are entitled to?

Maybe we can convince the checkin person, the 5th bag is actually a child restraint seat in disguise.

 

[chrizzz14]

Being that you have 2 travelers with OW status (one being WP) you can all check in at the First counter (i assume you know this)
Ive noticed that they usually let it go if you act all innocent and polite!

Just make sure you holding the baby when you try and get it all through - everyone loves a baby (.....that is until they're on the plane)

 

[Dave Noble]

If you turn up with an extra piece , you can expect to have to pay for it. If you know that you will have excess, then I would recommend pre-booking online and getting the discounted rate for excess baggage

The excess fee for 1 extra bag on BA isn't too bad at GBP32 in advance or GBP40 at the airport
($56 / $70)
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagunacc/public/en_gb

Dave

 

[docjames]

I'd be expecting to pay. Some routes i'm sure are tighter than others.

If you arrive at the airport and get a pleasant surprise, be happy. If not, them's the rules.

 

[Reggie]

Checked into my flight with BA at Manchester with 4 cases and 1 stroller. on Thursday last week, to be told we had 1 extra bag, and there will be a charge. As I said in a previous post, there were 2 adults, a child and an infant. I told the agent that the baby was allowed a bag, and he siad that the stroller counted as a bag. I then told him that I had checked on the BA website, and the infant was entiled to 1 case, 1 stroller and a car seat. He then typed something in to the computer and went ok he is entitled to a case and the stroller.

Anyway we fly out of LHR tonight, so the baggage issue and the infant food through security will be interesting.

 

[Reggie]

Checked in at LHR T5 today.

Used the self check kiosks in the terminal, and then saw we couldn't drop off our bags for another 2 hours. So I thought I would give the First class checkin a go. Luckily they had no problems taking our bags early. Problem again with infant only allowed 1 bag OR a stroller. Anyway this was sorted. I however then noticed that none of our bags were being priority tagged. When I questioned this, I was told priority tags only used if flying F or J.:shock:

Couldn't be bothered arguing, so we left pleased we were able to drop off bags so early. Then I realised I wasn't give a fast track pass for security, but wasn't sure if I was entitled to one. In the end didn't need it, as with the stroller we were sent through the fast track lane anyway.

Had to taste the made up formula and water bottles. The baby food jars were looked at, but were not requested to open or taste it.

 

[Dave Noble]

When I questioned this, I was told priority tags only used if flying F or J.:shock:

Couldn't be bothered arguing, so we left pleased we were able to drop off bags so early. Then I realised I wasn't give a fast track pass for security, but wasn't sure if I was entitled to one. In the end didn't need it, as with the stroller we were sent through the fast track lane anyway.

The agent was perfectly correct in that you were not entitled to priority baggage handling or to fast track. These are benefits for business and 1st class passengers

There are no OW benefits relating to priority baggage or security

Dave

 

[serfty]

...
There are no OW benefits relating to priority baggage or security
...

Certainly true, although attention to the specific differences, especially with baggage, between travelling QF/BA with QF/BA status on the Kangaroo route out of LHR can often get blurred by the agent doing the check-in with the rules not being fully applied.

This is more likely to happen at T4 (and possibly, T3 soon) than at T5 however, and as ever, YMMV.

In any case, if you have that additional bag in such circumstance, expect to have to pay and be happy if you don't.

 

[NM]

The agent was perfectly correct in that you were not entitled to priority baggage handling or to fast track. These are benefits for business and 1st class passengers

There are no OW benefits relating to priority baggage or security

While that is true, some airlines do extend some level of priority tagging of bags to OneWorld elite status members. In my recent experience as an AA Executive Platinum OneWorld Emerald member:

Qantas: Priority Tag (Purchased Economy far, upgraded to Premium Economy at check-in. Tagged at BNE domestic check-in for international transfer at SYD).

Cathay: Tagged with "OneWorld" tag at Hong Kong Express Station. Upon arrival at KUL the bag had a Cathay First Class tag, which must have been added at HKG airport. Travelling economy.

Japan Airlines: Tagged with Business Class tag. Travelling economy.

I do not expect priority tagging, but do seem to receive it at least 80-90% of the time. I have not flown BA economy for a long time, so cannot make any comment on the likelihood of them extending the benefit that is not included in the OneWorld alliance rules. However, I understand BA to be very good at following the rules accurately.

 

[Reggie]

Certainly true, although attention to the specific differences, especially with baggage, between travelling QF/BA with QF/BA status on the Kangaroo route out of LHR can often get blurred by the agent doing the check-in with the rules not being fully applied.

This is more likely to happen at T4 (and possibly, T3 soon) than at T5 however, and as ever, YMMV.

I was on LHR-HKG from T5, so don't think it is classed as kangaroo route

In any case, if you have that additional bag in such circumstance, expect to have to pay and be happy if you don't.

We did away with the 5th bag. So we only had the 4 bags and stroller I believe we are/were entitled to. Point is now moot anyway, as next and last flight for this trip is HKG-PER on QF

 

[Reggie]

I do not expect priority tagging, but do seem to receive it at least 80-90% of the time. I have not flown BA economy for a long time, so cannot make any comment on the likelihood of them extending the benefit that is not included in the OneWorld alliance rules. However, I understand BA to be very good at following the rules accurately.

I do expect priority tagging, but that was because I have always got it internationally due to flying J or F, plus when flying QF even if it is only PER-ZNE or PBO.

As a side point, flying in "WHY" (because using points for family trip) was a BIG shock to my system. My family laughed, and I almost cried when we had to walk through the J and Y+ cabins to get to our Y seats.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

As a side point, flying in "WHY" (because using points for family trip) was a BIG shock to my system. My family laughed, and I almost cried when we had to walk through the J and Y+ cabins to get to our Y seats.

I thought that there weren't any direct HKG to PER flights, or did you fly a different route? On the flights i have taken, from SIN to PER, it's just J or whY, no PE.

 

[anat0l]

We are flying EDI-LHR on BA domestic in late November. I believe we get one bag each up to 20 or 23 kg.

Even though I am a OWE (QF WP), I don't expect any love from BA with respect to anything except for priority check-in and lounge access. BA are notorious for following the rules very strictly for non-BAEC pax, but who can blame them? With so many pax conveyed, you wouldn't really want to dilute the whole benefits system, even if it is for.... *sigh*.... your fellow oneworld alliance members (oh, we know how well BA recognise them, don't we....).

It is a bit of a shame that neither priority baggage nor extra baggage allowance is a oneworld benefit (something that the Star Alliance has a one- (two?) up on). I'd be happy if even one of those became a benefit (though my silent preference would be for the extra allowance).

 

[MrHyde]

BA are very strict with baggage these days. I was recently checking in at the F class check-in in HEL. We were 2 passengers plus infant travellling in Y and had two pieces of luggage totalling about 33 KG, with one of them weighting 27 Kg. They would not check it in till be remove 4 KG from the bigger bag and moved it into the smaller one.

Also, didnt get any priority tag placed on our luggage.