Virgin Blue announce new baggage prices

[Dave Noble]

Virgin Blue have announced that from Monday they will charge passengers $20 if they fail to pay new baggage fees before they get to the airport.

Customers on discount fares will pay a minimum of $8 for checked luggage for each one-way flight, but those who fail to pay the new charge before they reach the departure gate will be forced to pay $20 at the check-in desk,

Article at Virgin Blue announce new baggage prices - Breaking News - National - Breaking News and http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/bud...pay-for-luggage/2008/08/16/1218307310335.html

Dave

 

[beardoc]

Virgin have detailed the charges at Virgin Blue > News and Press Releases

Virgin Blue will introduce a new “pay for weight” baggage policy which will apply to Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue domestic flights for fares booked from Monday 18 August on flights departing from Monday 1 September 2008. This policy replaces the current allowance of up to 20kg of free checked baggage.

A flat fee of $8 will apply for an increased allowance of 23 kgs of checked baggage for Guests travelling on all discount fares including new “Go Fares!” and “Blue Saver” fares when purchased online or through Virgin Blue’s Guest Contact Centre as part of the booking process. If the checked baggage allowance has not been pre-purchased, a $20 charge for up to 23kgs will apply at airport check-in.

The new baggage policy will include:
Increased baggage allowances and exemptions for families, with infant equipment (such as prams, portable cots and car seats) to be carried free of charge
For Guests with special needs, mobility aids (such as wheelchairs and special medical equipment and similar) will continue to be carried free of charge.
Guests travelling with sporting equipment (such as bikes, surfboards, skis and tennis bags) are also eligible for an extra 5kg of baggage.
No fees will apply for baggage up to 23kgs for Velocity Silver Members and Guests travelling on “Flexible Fares”.
No fees will apply for baggage up to 32kgs for Velocity Gold Members and Guests travelling on “Corporate Plus” and “Premium Economy” fares.

Only a matter of time before QANTAS starts doing the same, I guess.

 

[oz_mark]

Previously reported here: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/virgin-blue-new-baggage-fees-13890.html

Only took the media a month to notice

 

[serfty]

Hmmm, interesting introductory difference between DJ's "Go Fare" and JQ's "Light Fare":

• The introduction of "light" fares saw carryon limit increased to 10kg; GO fare still only allow for 7Kg &
• JQ light fares are $20 less than Blue Saver; JQ's were $10 less

 

[dot]

I am surprised that DJ have elected to do this. They are trying to position themselves as more competitive with QF than JQ - especially for the business market. Charging extra for checked luggage reaks of cut price airlines.

If QF have any brains, they will use this in their marketing - "Free newspaper in the morning, beer in the afternoon and we wont charge extra for your checked luggage"

my 2c worth...

 

[tuapekastar]

Previously reported here: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/virgin-blue-new-baggage-fees-13890.html

Only took the media a month to notice

I think their attention was firmly focused on all (bad) things QF...

 

[brissyflyer]

I am surprised that DJ have elected to do this. They are trying to position themselves as more competitive with QF than JQ - especially for the business market. Charging extra for checked luggage reaks of cut price airlines.

If QF have any brains, they will use this in their marketing - "Free newspaper in the morning, beer in the afternoon and we wont charge extra for your checked luggage"

my 2c worth...

Although considering that Silver & Gold Velocity get free baggage I guess that most of the higher yield passengers would be unaffected anyway.

And lead in fares on DJ are cheaper than QF and on some routes by well over $100!

 

[JohnK]

Got the email yesterday. Not going to make their flights very competitive if they are going to compete against QF. The only time I will use their service is when I need/want to get back from BNE a little earlier on Friday afternoons as QF only offers red e-deals on flights after 7:45pm.

Sorry Virgin, but I am not impressed with this sort of change, I have checked luggage most flights, even though it may have been inevitable....

 

[Dave Noble]

Sorry Virgin, but I am not impressed with this sort of change, I have checked luggage most flights, even though it may have been inevitable....

meh; so just consider the fare to be $8 higher. Seems a fair approach...rather than charge everyone extra through fares/charges , charge for optional facilities

Dave

 

[dot]

Although considering that Silver & Gold Velocity get free baggage I guess that most of the higher yield passengers would be unaffected anyway.

And lead in fares on DJ are cheaper than QF and on some routes by well over $100!

I concede that this is the case often, but marketing is about perception, not facts...

 

[JohnK]

meh; so just consider the fare to be $8 higher. Seems a fair approach...rather than charge everyone extra through fares/charges , charge for optional facilities

Sure I will take into consideration the extra $8 when looking at DJ airfares. The point I was trying to make is at this point in time there is very little difference between QF airfares and DJ airfares. This new charge is going to bring the airfares much closer, if not actually tip the DJ airfare higher than the QF airfare, and for that miniscule difference I would choose QF everytime....

 

[Driver]

Sure I will take into consideration the extra $8 when looking at DJ airfares. The point I was trying to make is at this point in time there is very little difference between QF airfares and DJ airfares. This new charge is going to bring the airfares much closer, if not actually tip the DJ airfare higher than the QF airfare, and for that miniscule difference I would choose QF everytime....

Very little difference already? Last minute flight booked Bris/Canberra last week - who was cheapest? Qantas.

 

[beardoc]

Very little difference already? Last minute flight booked Bris/Canberra last week - who was cheapest? Qantas.

Single points sadly aren't the best indicator. Just a quick look at flights SYD/BNE tomorrow (arrive before 10am) show DJ $220 cheapest, QF $341.

My point here is that there will be all sorts of different prices for individual routes, dates and times. What we need is some data on average prices, with a broad sample.

 

[Blackswan]

So by paying the extra $8 checked baggage fee, does this mean that Virgin will go to greater lengths to ensure that my luggage is put on the correct flight (a problem which I find often occurs flying out of Perth - perhaps due to the fact baggage handling is outsourced to contractors?), and ensure that my suitcases are not left sitting in the rain on the tarmac in Sydney?

I'm all for low cost carriers to introduce ancillary charges. But I don't appreciate the fact they're trying to fool me with advertising in The Australian and Fin Review that they are a serious business competitor to QF.

 

[Mal]

This will be a bit messy for some corporate's with their BFOD policies. Often in this case a non-flexible fare (ie Blue Saver) is purchased on the way out, and a flexible ticket purchased on the way back home.

Obviously DJ have taken inspiration from other carriers in Australia and overseas, so good luck to them. If it's the right decision, it will stay, if not then they'll back away from it or implement a new fare class that is both cheap and includes baggage.

IMHO, the various trials around the world of separating out costs from the base airfare (eg charging catering/baggage/seat selection etc) has only been a success for the airlines - not general passengers.

 

[rwatts]

This will be a bit messy for some corporate's with their BFOD policies.

Fortunately my government department while having a BFOD policy insists on fully flexible, refundable fares. For DJ that means Corporate Plus with 32kg baggage included (as well as lounge access ).

Richard.

 

[oz_mark]

Got the email yesterday. Not going to make their flights very competitive if they are going to compete against QF. The only time I will use their service is when I need/want to get back from BNE a little earlier on Friday afternoons as QF only offers red e-deals on flights after 7:45pm.

Sorry Virgin, but I am not impressed with this sort of change, I have checked luggage most flights, even though it may have been inevitable....

To some extent Virgin are just adjusting to changes in the costs of processing things. With all the alleged security related improvements it is costing more to process baggage than to process the passenger that has the baggage. So why not charge those that use it. The downside is that it encourages carry-on.

 

[pauly7]

To some extent Virgin are just adjusting to changes in the costs of processing things. With all the alleged security related improvements it is costing more to process baggage than to process the passenger that has the baggage. So why not charge those that use it. The downside is that it encourages carry-on.

This is actually my main concern.

I postively hate flying the 737s - (both Virgin and QF's) for this reason - the overheads get COMPLETELY packed with about half the plane loaded. Then people jam the single aisle looking for places to stash their bags, no one can find room and the FA's have to squeeze up and down to help...

Virgin's overheads are already packed out, now all the people who travel on the cheapies will be stuffing their stuff in along with the business PAX!

For this reason I actively book the 767's wherever possible. Heaps more room and I swear they are actually faster to get on and off of - for PAX... I might time my next trip!

My biggest fear is actually that QF with the delays on the 787, may order more 73H's instead.... please no!!!!!!!

 

[dajop]

Virgin's overheads are already packed out,

I dispute this. It depends on route. One reason why I prefer CBR-MEL on DJ is that I have never had a problem finding o/h locker space, yet on QF at same time of day, I often have to sit my computer on the floor on front of my because of all the "kitchen sinks" packed in the o/h lockers. I do suspect that this will change with the new DJ charges

 

[JohnK]

The downside is that it encourages carry-on.

Yes and limited to 7kgs although I have not seen anyone with scales weighing hand luggage. How long before they strictly enforce this as well?