How strict is SQ with baggage allowances?

[JohnK]

Went to the airport with my mother earlier on today and also escorted her to checkin. Hand over passport and tickets and checkin agent asks if any luggage to be checked so I place suitcase on scales. It weighed 28.3kgs with red light flashing. I started to worry but not a word was said by agent. Checkin agent then asks if any carryon so I place carryon bag on scales. It weighed 8.2kgs. Checkin agent mentioned that you are only entitled to 7kgs and we should take some things out.

We decided not to take anything out and worst case scenario is my mother may have to pay $40 excess baggage. I told mum that if she gets hassled to take some sweaters out and wear them and to put some more things in her handbag. Somehow I do not think that the carryon will get weighed again but who knows....

YMMV!

 

[simongr]

Congrats - a good result for you - although a high risk strategy for me. It is just bizarre that the check in agent waved the bag through - who else would pick up on the weight of the bag?

 

[kpc]

...and checkin agent asks if any luggage to be checked so I place suitcase on scales. It weighed 28.3kgs with red light flashing. I started to worry but not a word was said by agent.

This has been my experience with SQ...you can get away with up to 30 kgs in Y class, esp. if the plane is not full.

Checkin agent then asks if any carryon so I place carryon bag on scales. It weighed 8.2kgs. Checkin agent mentioned that you are only entitled to 7kgs and we should take some things out..

Did he/she ask you to put your carryon on the scales? I usually say "yes, I have 1 piece of carryon", and have never been asked at Syd to weigh it. It looks like the checkin person really did not enforce the carry on weight of 7 kgs strictly...this is what I meant that SQ seem to be a little more lenient than other airlines when it comes to excess luggage:mrgreen:

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Went to the airport with my mother earlier on today and also escorted her to checkin. Hand over passport and tickets and checkin agent asks if any luggage to be checked so I place suitcase on scales. It weighed 28.3kgs with red light flashing. I started to worry but not a word was said by agent. Checkin agent then asks if any carryon so I place carryon bag on scales. It weighed 8.2kgs. Checkin agent mentioned that you are only entitled to 7kgs and we should take some things out.

We decided not to take anything out and worst case scenario is my mother may have to pay $40 excess baggage. I told mum that if she gets hassled to take some sweaters out and wear them and to put some more things in her handbag. Somehow I do not think that the carryon will get weighed again but who knows....

YMMV!

Carry on will not be weighed in SIN.

 

[JohnK]

Congrats - a good result for you - although a high risk strategy for me.

My mother was prepared to pay excess baggage charges up to $300. She really wanted to take these items with her and in the end she was disappointed that I told her to reduce the weight of the suitcase as she thinks that she could have gotten away with more.

 

[JohnK]

Did he/she ask you to put your carryon on the scales? I usually say "yes, I have 1 piece of carryon", and have never been asked at Syd to weigh it.

The checkin agent (she) asked to weigh the carryon.

It looks like the checkin person really did not enforce the carry on weight of 7 kgs strictly

It appears as though the checkin agent gave us a get out of jail card with the carryon. I will find out tomorrow whether my mother got hassled later about the carryon.

 

[Zulaiha]

..... and in the end she was disappointed that I told her to reduce the weight of the suitcase as she thinks that she could have gotten away with more.

Is not it typicall ha ha, sorry John, could not resist, she just reminded me of myself Hubby and I always argue on when to stop packing

In my experience, everything is really depended on who check us in, no matter what carrier that would be.

My husband had 2.8kg over last time he fly with Jetstar, and he got away with it too, but other friend had to pay for 2 kg excess.

My mother once been booked to travel with us, but somehow, we got to cancelled and she ended up with like 40kg baggage instead of 20. The lady checked her in was really nice and undestanding (as it were, our booking were still can be seen). She let her take all her 40kg.

 

[littl_flier]

In my experience, everything is really depended on who check us in, no matter what carrier that would be.

I completely agree!!! Coming home from London at Christmas time with Air NZ, I had two bags each weighing 32kg (Policy: 23kg for 2 bags). At check-in when I played dumb and asked for clarification on what the policy was and was told it was two at 23kg. The UA checkin agent then told me I did have a small lee-way however.

Bags weighed and one at 31.8 and the other 32.3 and she just smiled. She said to me that the flight was completely full on all legs (LHR-HKK-AKL-BNE) and the staff had been informed that they must charge excess baggage. But she said she could check with the Air NZ supervisor who politely smiled and said, he is flying business class.... and winked!!! And so I proceeded with my economy boarding passes and everything was fine! Love you Air NZ.

With Qantas I have also had similar experience. I constantly travel for long periods of time (usually short haul) and being a junior member of our teams, get to carry the file bags. It is quite common for me to check 5 or more bags and never an eyelid is battered. I think this is more status and politeness though because this has happened on 10 or 12 occasions.

What do other think?

 

[TravelCheap]

EasyJet pinged us 250 euro last year for overweight baggage (about 20kg??). The seats (Amsterdam-London) only cost 50 euro!!