KLM extra baggage question - first flight with Garuda

[travellinggal]

Hi All

Long time lurker, first time poster; hoping you all can help a gal out!

I purchased a KLM ticket to Europe via the KLM site for an upcoming trip. The routing is SYD-DPS-AMS with a technical layover in Singapore on the DPS-AMS leg. Bit coughbersome but worth it for the price I paid. Anyway I want to check an extra bag on the outbound flight the whole way through. As KLM don't have a physical presence in AU, the first flight is with Garuda and so I can't pre-purchase it online.

I don't mind buying at the airport but KLM are telling me Garuda will set the price of my extra bag and Garuda are telling me that KLM set it! KLM charge a set price of US$100 per 23kg extra bag but Garuda charge alot more as it's by the kg.

Does anyone have any experience of this or know how much I will have to pay?

Thanks in advance
TG

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hi All

Long time lurker, first time poster; hoping you all can help a gal out!

I purchased a KLM ticket to Europe via the KLM site for an upcoming trip. The routing is SYD-DPS-AMS with a technical layover in Singapore on the DPS-AMS leg. Bit coughbersome but worth it for the price I paid. Anyway I want to check an extra bag on the outbound flight the whole way through. As KLM don't have a physical presence in AU, the first flight is with Garuda and so I can't pre-purchase it online.

I don't mind buying at the airport but KLM are telling me Garuda will set the price of my extra bag and Garuda are telling me that KLM set it! KLM charge a set price of US$100 per 23kg extra bag but Garuda charge alot more as it's by the kg.

Does anyone have any experience of this or know how much I will have to pay?

Thanks in advance
TG

What is the luggage allowance on your eticket itinerary receipt? Most carriers flying from Australia to Europe give you 30 kgs which could be one bag @ 30 kg, 2 @ 15 kgs, 3 @ 10 kgs as it's not based on the number of pieces. How much luggage will you have in weight and must it go in two cases or could you fit all your belongings into one piece?

When travelling on the weight system any excess after 30 kilos would be charged by the kilo and when multiple airlines are involved there is usually a higher rate applicable which could be AUD60.00 per kilo meaning an extra 20 kilos could quite easily cost in excess of $1,000.00 which could end up being more than the price of the air ticket.

Other airlines like BA may give you an allowance of one piece up to 23 kilos so I would think they would charge any extra by the piece rather than by kilos.

I'm quite sure the KLM rate would be based on travelling 100% with KLM and an amount they would collect at an online port of embarkation ie they could not dictate to GA or any other airline what that airline should charge.

Sometimes it could be cheaper to pay two lots of excess to the respective airlines ie check your bags SYD/DPS only paying the GA excess baggage rate of AUD25.00 per kilo then recheck bags in DPS with KLM paying their rate of USD100.00 for a second checked bag weighing up to 23 kilos. Note that they will charge a heavy fee for bags between 24 and 32 kgs of USD100.00 so make sure each suitcase doesn't weigh any more than 23 kilos. You will also need several hours in between your GA & KL flight in order to do this or you could miss the cut off for baggage acceptance on the DPS/AMS flight.

Probably the best way to find out the exact excess that would be payable if you check your bags SYD/xDPS/AMS is to call SYD Airport and ask for the phone number of the ground handler that does GA checkin then call them and ask them exactly what the charges would be.

https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/sa/en/garuda-indonesia-experience/on-ground/baggage/index.page?

https://www.klm.com/travel/us_en/prepare_for_travel/customer_commitment/klm_fees/index.htm