Jetstar's reduced baggage allowance to Honolulu

[Annuity]

Has anyone had to pay excess baggage at Honolulu airport when bringing home more than 20 kg of luggage? Jetstar recently reduced their checked baggage limit from 2x32 kg to 1x20 kg on their Sydney-Honolulu-Sydney flights with excesss baggage being charged at US$20 per kg on the return flight. If you're a big shopper an extra 20 kg could cost you US$400!!

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

WE are travelling to HNL in May and bought our tickets pre the change to luggage allowance so would be interested to know if anyone who did the same experiences any issues on the return flight. Also can anyone comment on the cost of upgrade at the airport to *class, last year we did this for $300 each AU and $250 US for the return journey. Has it increased at all?
Thx
Noreen

 

[taswegian77]

wow that just does not sound right as I thought when traveling to a US destination every one is entitled to 2 checked bags which I assumed would be at least 23kg each. maybe they do not treat Hawaii as a US state anymore.

 

[Dave Noble]

wow that just does not sound right as I thought when traveling to a US destination every one is entitled to 2 checked bags which I assumed would be at least 23kg each. maybe they do not treat Hawaii as a US state anymore.

My understanding is that the rules changed and airlines no longer have to offer 2PC to USA. As such JQ has brought their allowance into the standard 20Kg economy / 30Kg Starclass

Given that they are offering discounted pre-pay amounts for excess baggage I would hope that they are enforcing the allowance and charging accordingly otherwise would be unfair on those pre-paying

I found that the allowance was ok.. even including a few Kgs of dive gear I managed to easily meet the *class allowance by having 26Kg for a 2.5 month trip

Dave

 

[Annuity]

My understanding is that the rules changed and airlines no longer have to offer 2PC to USA. As such JQ has brought their allowance into the standard 20Kg economy / 30Kg Starclass

Given that they are offering discounted pre-pay amounts for excess baggage I would hope that they are enforcing the allowance and charging accordingly otherwise would be unfair on those pre-paying

I found that the allowance was ok.. even including a few Kgs of dive gear I managed to easily meet the *class allowance by having 26Kg for a 2.5 month trip

Dave

Dave provides a perfect example of the effect Jetstar’s reduced baggage allowance might have on the average Jetstar passenger. We can assume that not every passenger wishes to travel Starclass and on that basis if Dave were travel economy with his 26kg of baggage he would need to pre-book the extra weight at a cost of $A24.00 per kilo. This would add $A144.00. Assuming that his partner also takes the same amount of baggage the additional cost for the couple would be $A288.00.

Perhaps Dave might not undertake any additional shopping in Hawaii but let’s assume that he does and visits Waikele Outlet Shops with his partner who goes on a buying spree at this “shoppers’ paradise”. Well that was fun. Dave only bought some clothing and a new pair of shoes. Not to worry they only weigh 4kgs. On the other hand his partner really enjoyed her shopping and bought a bit more. Nevertheless, her shopping only weighed an additional 6kg. Not much at all until they arrive at the economy check-in at Honolulu airport.

Now let me see Dave. That’s an extra 10kgs above your pre-paid baggage allowance. I hope you have you credit card handy. The additional 10kgs checked in at Honolulu will cost you an extra $US200.00. Let me check that calculation again, 10kgs times $US20.00, that’s correct, $US200.00. Wow that’s only about 300 Aussie dollars!

Neat! Jetstar’s new reduced check-in baggage allowance has only added $A588.00 to his airfare and he hasn’t even bought any extra presents for the family. Lucky you fly Starclass Dave.

By the way, you mention the standard 20kg economy /30kg Starclass. What standard is this? When I last looked Hawaiian Airlines allowed economy passengers 2x32kg (64kg) and Qantas, although reduced, still allows 2x23kg (46kg) for economy passengers.

It’s no wonder next time my wife and I travel to Hawaii, and we do twice every year, we will be flying with Hawaiian Airlines who by the way still provide free meals, drinks, entrainment and comfort packs.

It won’t be long before the only passengers flying with Jetstar will all up the front in Starclass with Dave.

 

[adrian]

When I checkedin on this flight mid-Jan, they said that they would be enforcing the new allowance from Feb 1.

 

[Dave Noble]

Dave provides a perfect example of the effect Jetstar’s reduced baggage allowance might have on the average Jetstar passenger. We can assume that not every passenger wishes to travel Starclass and on that basis if Dave were travel economy with his 26kg of baggage he would need to pre-book the extra weight at a cost of $A24.00 per kilo. This would add $A144.00. Assuming that his partner also takes the same amount of baggage the additional cost for the couple would be $A288.00.

Perhaps Dave might not undertake any additional shopping in Hawaii but let’s assume that he does and visits Waikele Outlet Shops with his partner who goes on a buying spree at this “shoppers’ paradise”. Well that was fun. Dave only bought some clothing and a new pair of shoes. Not to worry they only weigh 4kgs. On the other hand his partner really enjoyed her shopping and bought a bit more. Nevertheless, her shopping only weighed an additional 6kg. Not much at all until they arrive at the economy check-in at Honolulu airport.

Now let me see Dave. That’s an extra 10kgs above your pre-paid baggage allowance. I hope you have you credit card handy. The additional 10kgs checked in at Honolulu will cost you an extra $US200.00. Let me check that calculation again, 10kgs times $US20.00, that’s correct, $US200.00. Wow that’s only about 300 Aussie dollars!

Neat! Jetstar’s new reduced check-in baggage allowance has only added $A588.00 to his airfare and he hasn’t even bought any extra presents for the family. Lucky you fly Starclass Dave.

By the way, you mention the standard 20kg economy /30kg Starclass. What standard is this? When I last looked Hawaiian Airlines allowed economy passengers 2x32kg (64kg) and Qantas, although reduced, still allows 2x23kg (46kg) for economy passengers.

It’s no wonder next time my wife and I travel to Hawaii, and we do twice every year, we will be flying with Hawaiian Airlines who by the way still provide free meals, drinks, entrainment and comfort packs.

It won’t be long before the only passengers flying with Jetstar will all up the front in Starclass with Dave.

If I had been travelling economy, then I would have only taken 1 case rather than 2 ( which would have knocked a few Kg off ) plus would have not taken the heavy parts of dive gear. Would have easily been able to fit in 20Kg

I did have an eye on my baggage levels and if I had needed more then I would have pre-booked an additional 10Kg at , iirc, $92

20Kg is not a low amount of baggage allowance , in fact it is that standard allowance on most airlines other than for Americas. People seem to manage to cope on most routes with the 20/30/40 Kg allowances for economy/business/1st

There are other options.. QF still allows 2x32Kg for example if luggage allowance is important

Dave

 

[MelUser]

Wouldn't the answer be to simply (by way of insurance against check in costs) to pre pay as much extra luggage as possible when completing the on line booking?

 

[turtlemichael]

It won’t be long before the only passengers flying with Jetstar will all up the front in Starclass with Dave.

No, the other sort will be the economy passengers who can fit within the 20k allowance and appreciate that JQ will possibly cost them around $300.00 less per round trip.

 

[Annuity]

Wouldn't the answer be to simply (by way of insurance against check in costs) to pre pay as much extra luggage as possible when completing the on line booking?

Yes you have that option. If you want to pre-book an additional 20kgs it will cost you $480.00.

 

[Annuity]

My understanding is that the rules changed and airlines no longer have to offer 2PC to USA. As such JQ has brought their allowance into the standard 20Kg economy / 30Kg Starclass

Given that they are offering discounted pre-pay amounts for excess baggage I would hope that they are enforcing the allowance and charging accordingly otherwise would be unfair on those pre-paying

I found that the allowance was ok.. even including a few Kgs of dive gear I managed to easily meet the *class allowance by having 26Kg for a 2.5 month trip

Dave

23rd November 2008, 04:53 PM
Dave Noble
Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005
Member of: QF, AA, Hertz, Priority Club, Hilton
Posts: 4,252

Re: Changes to Qantas Checked Baggage Allowance from 1 December
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I find that it is v easy to get beyond 30Kg when taking dive gear with me
Dave

Sorry Dave I'm a little confused. Which is it?

And might this be considered a double standard?

1st December 2008, 09:06 AM
Dave Noble
Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005
Member of: QF, AA, Hertz, Priority Club, Hilton
Posts: 4,254

Re: Changes to Qantas Checked Baggage Allowance from 1 December
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From my conversations with check in agents, it does seem that they are setting the systems up to enforce the charging of excess baggage and having a uniform weight policy seems a good move ( for them )

Personally, Im a bit disappointed since from time to time I have taken advantage of the generous allowances and also the fact that they would often waive excesses. This seems to be going

Dave

 

[Dave Noble]

It is indeed v easy to get beyond 30Kg and it is an annoyance *if* I want to take ALL my dive gear with me which was something I would do domestically since I could take 3 - 5 pieces

Now I just will only take that which is needed rather than taking cylinders et al and I can fit that easily within limits

Given that JQ is a LCC I am not surprised that they did this. If you want higher allowances, QF et al still offer the piece based allowance

Dave

 

[Ynotc2001]

Is there an additional baggage allowance for gold/silver ff travelling Star Class?
If not, then why would you fly Jet*
Hawaiian have better service and doubler the baggage allowance. This seems like a dumb move by JetStar.

 

[serfty]

There is a 30Kg checked baggage allowance if traveling Star Class.


There is no additional allowance for WP, SG, PS nor QP.

As far as 'dumb moves' go, I am not familiar with flying HA or how it would make a difference for me.

 

[Annuity]

There is a 30Kg checked baggage allowance if traveling Star Class.


There is no additional allowance for WP, SG, PS nor QP.

As far as 'dumb moves' go, I am not familiar with flying HA or how it would make a difference for me.

Dumb move indeed when the competition (Hawaiian Airlines) not only provides free meals, entertainment and comfort packs but also allows more than three times (64kg) Jetstar's economy baggage allowance (20kg) at no charge and double the Starclass allowance (30kg) even while flying economy.

 

[Ynotc2001]

There is a 30Kg checked baggage allowance if traveling Star Class.


There is no additional allowance for WP, SG, PS nor QP.

As far as 'dumb moves' go, I am not familiar with flying HA or how it would make a difference for me.

I'd have to say that charging more than an economy return airfare for one extra bag is "REALLY DUMB" - especially when the opposition offers so much more. But then, JetStar obviously think (1) there's no choice or (2) they're in a commanding market position. Reality may come as a big shock - hope Hawaiian are monitoring, a free kick for them cf JetStar's own goal. A Marketer's dream.

 

[Ynotc2001]

WE are travelling to HNL in May and bought our tickets pre the change to luggage allowance so would be interested to know if anyone who did the same experiences any issues on the return flight. Also can anyone comment on the cost of upgrade at the airport to *class, last year we did this for $300 each AU and $250 US for the return journey. Has it increased at all?
Thx
Noreen

Thanks for that info, Noreen. I'm tall and have a stuffed back so have always paid the extra to book StarClass in the first place. If what you're saying is still the case, a waste of $$ (for me) as there's not exactly a rush for flights! And it also explains the arguments I've had at Honolulu airport when my 'reserved' (yes, I do know) seat suddenly wasn't available. Not a way to woo loyalty.

 

[Ynotc2001]

If I had been travelling economy, then I would have only taken 1 case rather than 2 ( which would have knocked a few Kg off ) plus would have not taken the heavy parts of dive gear. Would have easily been able to fit in 20Kg

I did have an eye on my baggage levels and if I had needed more then I would have pre-booked an additional 10Kg at , iirc, $92

20Kg is not a low amount of baggage allowance , in fact it is that standard allowance on most airlines other than for Americas. People seem to manage to cope on most routes with the 20/30/40 Kg allowances for economy/business/1st

There are other options.. QF still allows 2x32Kg for example if luggage allowance is important

Dave

"There are other options.. QF still allows 2x32Kg for example if luggage allowance is important"

Good for you Dave. You obviously didn't notice all the hordes checking in heaps of baggage. Next time, take a stroll along the queue and ask a few of the punters. Apart from the single surfers, you'll find a hell of a lot of family people who have found shopping in Hawaii a bonanza. Even with our Pacific Peso, it is still worth going o/s for a well priced holiday (compared to Oz) and stocking up on a fantastic array of bargains; a far greater choice than here and at damn cheap prices. Jetstar have made a very, very poor decision. And you are quite right, there's choice: Hawaiian Airlines - and they're a lot more user friendly than either QF or J*. By the way, their (HA's) ff programme is excellent if you get in early for upgrades to the west coast. Yet another plus.

 

[Dave Noble]

"There are other options.. QF still allows 2x32Kg for example if luggage allowance is important"

Good for you Dave. You obviously didn't notice all the hordes checking in heaps of baggage. Next time, take a stroll along the queue and ask a few of the punters. Apart from the single surfers, you'll find a hell of a lot of family people who have found shopping in Hawaii a bonanza. Even with our Pacific Peso, it is still worth going o/s for a well priced holiday (compared to Oz) and stocking up on a fantastic array of bargains; a far greater choice than here and at damn cheap prices. Jetstar have made a very, very poor decision. And you are quite right, there's choice: Hawaiian Airlines - and they're a lot more user friendly than either QF or J*. By the way, their (HA's) ff programme is excellent if you get in early for upgrades to the west coast. Yet another plus.

I didn't see large numbers of people trying to check in the kitchen sink

I posit that the people who are that concerned about baggage allowance arein a minority and may choose to go with another carrier which still operates on the piece based system.

regardless, the piece system is used a hell of a lot less worldwide than the piece system and people seem to be able to cope quite successfully. Even QF, as per many carriers, from SYD-LHR only offers 23Kg in economy for example

I found that Starclass with a 30Kg checked allowance was a far better value proposition than Qantas business class which would have been nearly triple the price at $8000 vs $2800.

To fully correct the QF allowance info; any tickets issued now for travel from 1st March it will be 2*23Kg in economy ; only business and 1st class passengers will have 2 * 32

Hawaiian Airline's free allowance is 2*23Kg giving a total of 46Kg rather than 64Kg as referenced earlier ( &http://hawaiianair.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/hawaiianair.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=80 )

It is an option for those wanting to take larger amounts of luggage but I suspect that the fares are probably typically higher. Picking dates in May , HA started at $1433 ( not sure if that is AUD or USD though) return compared to $1200 on Jetstar. There are probably a fair number of people who would prefer to save $200 a ticket

Dave

 

[Ynotc2001]

So, is your expert advice based on a once off diving trip, Dave?

We go 3-4 times a year to the US via Hawaii and douse the baggage allowance/ As I said, there's good choice with HA et al.