xONEx Baggage Allowances

[littl_flier]

:?: I really struggled over deciding whether to add this to here but I decided for future reference that I'll create a new thread.

I will be doing either a LONE4 or DONE4 coming up and as a then QF Club Gold (or Platinum if I do a DONE4 as I'll be maximising mileage and using YUP fares) I am entitled to 3 bags at upto 32kgs on QF, regardless it seems whether I'm in L or D class.

After 9 months away, with the last 5 in Europe, I plan on finishing with a bit of a mileage run but it seems I might have stacks of luggage that could hinder this.
Planned route is LHR-(QF) HKG-(CX)DPS-(JL)NRT-(JL)SIN-BNE(QF) booked as connecting flights. I have deliberately selected QF as my first flight as this is where I will first check my luggage and it seems to have greater benefits due to status and kgs per bag than the other airlines.

Questions:

1. Because I check my baggage with QF, the larger baggage allowance of the carriers I'm flying with apply, don't they? Hence, I will get 3 bags at 32kg regardless that I'm flying CX and JL?

2. Can I check my baggage all the way through or would I need to collect it somewhere and re-check it? If so, will I be hit up for excess baggage here as well?

3. I will likely have another bag (or two). I read in the xONEx rules that baggage is by the piece system. Therefore, if QF charge me excess baggage for the flights, am I charged under the piece system (and hence $144) per bag, or am I charged on a per kilo basis? I'm not worried about having to pay excess luggage as I will negotiate into a contract, but obviosly there is a big difference between $2000+ and $288. :shock:

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
littl_flier

PS. I have one more question but can't for the life of me remember what it is. I think I might need you're help again soon.

 

[Dave Noble]

When you check in in LHR, you will be entitled to 3 pieces for the QF flight; you are not entitled to 3 pieces for any other sector. This is assuming that you have appropriate status with QF

If you are not stopping over en-route , then you may be ok with bags through to BNE, though they could charge you CX/JLs excess rates for the non QF sectors.

If you have no stopovers then you should be able to check through; if you have a stopover then you will need to collect your bags and you will likely be charged excess baggage by the next carrier

If you are stopping over, I would suggest taking the extra bags to Excess Baggage company at LHR and sending them over as air shipment since you could be heavily stung. The rates are fairly reasonable at GBP4.35 per kilo with a min of 25Kg. If you have no stopovers, then see what happens at check in and if they then decide to charge you lots of money, take the excess to Excess Baggage Company

Dave

 

[littl_flier]

When you check in in LHR, you will be entitled to 3 pieces for the QF flight; you are not entitled to 3 pieces for any other sector. This is assuming that you have appropriate status with QF

If you are not stopping over en-route , then you may be ok with bags through to BNE, though they could charge you CX/JLs excess rates for the non QF sectors.

If you have no stopovers then you should be able to check through; if you have a stopover then you will need to collect your bags and you will likely be charged excess baggage by the next carrier

If you are stopping over, I would suggest taking the extra bags to Excess Baggage company at LHR and sending them over as air shipment since you could be heavily stung. The rates are fairly reasonable at GBP4.35 per kilo with a min of 25Kg. If you have no stopovers, then see what happens at check in and if they then decide to charge you lots of money, take the excess to Excess Baggage Company

Dave

Thanks very much Dave for your advice, particularly the Excess Baggage Company, I will keep this is mind. As for stopovers, the longest layover I have is 7 hrs in DPS between the CX and the JAL flights so it sounds like I mights be ok.

I understand you're message about the discretion of the check-in agent so I will definitely keep this is mind.

Just one more question, I notice in a post you made on FT that Baggage for a DONE4 that hits NA is under the piece method. Is this just for NA connecting segments or the entire DONE4?

Thanks again.

 

[serfty]

If a booking on the one PNR includes ANY travel to or from the US, the two piece system will apply for all flights on that PNR.

There are variances within this. BA has a lower weight limit per piece than Qantas. With Qantas Status you get an additional piece on Qantas operated flights FOC.

 

[littl_flier]

Cheers, thanks Serfty and Dave for your help.

 

[littl_flier]

Ok, I've just got off the phone from Qantas where I was informed I was speaking with the priority service team (so hopefully this advice might hold some water) that the piece system applies to the entire itineray (which we knew) but that excess baggage is charged by the piece system for the entire itinerary and even departing Europe, I will be charged under the system which for Qantas is $144 per bag.

Assuming this actually happens, then to check two extra bags will cost $AUD288 whereas the baggage company at Heathrow would be (64kg * 4.35GBP * 2.5 conversion to AUD) = $696.

It will be interesting to see if this actually happens though but I have a feeling it might'nt.

Of course, this still leaves the gaping hole of being charged for the CX and JL flights but I'll deal with that when it comes to that hurdle.

Thanks for your advice guys. It looks like I mightn't be touched up for a $2000+ excess baggage bill.

 

[serfty]

Specific rules:

Travel to/from USA, US Territories, Tahiti, South America and Canada^ via the Pacific

Priority baggage handling & allowances.

A xONEx booking uses the two piece system as a xONEx, by the routing rules, MUST include flights to/from North/South America via the Pacific.

--- BAGGAGE REGULATIONS-THE PIECE SYSTEM APPLIES TO PASSENGERS TRAVELLING ON A ONEWORLD EXPLORER FARE.

I did believe that, as a QP member and as a QF PS, you are entitled to an extra piece above the allowance on any segment of the xONEx itinerary that has a QF flight number and is operated by Qantas.

Mid you, this appeares to have changed recently and the QC/PS benefit now only applies to one extra
piece on USA flights

 

[Dave Noble]

If a booking on the one PNR includes ANY travel to or from the US, the two piece system will apply for all flights on that PNR.

There are variances within this. BA has a lower weight limit per piece than Qantas. With Qantas Status you get an additional piece on Qantas operated flights FOC.

Until the end of September, BA is still accepting bags weighing up to 32Kg plus they have a standard allowance of 3 pieces in business/1st

Dave

 

[JohnK]

A xONEx booking uses the two piece system as a xONEx, by the routing rules, MUST include flights to/from North/South America via the Pacific.

I can probably look it up and even call QF but does anyone know what happens with baggage allowances with a RTW Oneworld award? First 2 flights are QF and last 2 flights are QF but there is AA, BA and AY in between. I am going through the USA.

To be safe I will just take one bag that weighs 22kgs and possibly have a second bag to be used as carryon and store all the trinkets I accumulate along the way.

 

[littl_flier]

Specific rules:

Travel to/from USA, US Territories, Tahiti, South America and Canada^ via the Pacific

Priority baggage handling & allowances.

A xONEx booking uses the two piece system as a xONEx, by the routing rules, MUST include flights to/from North/South America via the Pacific.

I did believe that, as a QP member and as a QF PS, you are entitled to an extra piece above the allowance on any segment of the xONEx itinerary that has a QF flight number and is operated by Qantas.

Mid you, this appeares to have changed recently and the QC/PS benefit now only applies to one extra
piece on USA flights

Thanks Serfty. Planned routing will be SYD-JFK-YUL so I should be fine for the two piece rule. I guess my main concern is that leaving LHR I will be charged according to the weight system and not the piece system, particularly if I have a mis-informed CSA. I think I'll just have to see what happens and make sure I'm armed with all the T&C's that we've discussed above. At the end of the day, if I'm wrong it just means it will make a potentially expensive end to the trip and Heathrow Baggage will make some money out of me. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[littl_flier]

I can probably look it up and even call QF but does anyone know what happens with baggage allowances with a RTW Oneworld award? First 2 flights are QF and last 2 flights are QF but there is AA, BA and AY in between. I am going through the USA.

To be safe I will just take one bag that weighs 22kgs and possibly have a second bag to be used as carryon and store all the trinkets I accumulate along the way.

You should be able to take two pieces as it is a RTW via NA and all NA flights are permitted two pieces via the pacific. You're WP will give you a larger allowance again when you fly QF operated flights (thanks Serfty). I'm not sure about AY's policy but AA means two pieces at 23kgs, so 22kg is a smart idea. Hope this is what you meant? At the end of the day, you'll have at least one bag up your sleave anyway so you can buy another one if you need to.

 

[serfty]

... First 2 flights are QF and last 2 flights are QF but there is AA, BA and AY in between. I am going through the USA. ...

If a booking on the one PNR includes ANY travel to or from the Americas (Canada, US, South America) the two piece system should apply for all flights on that PNR.

I believe Qantas are deliberately fudging the issue on their web site.

IMO, limiting what you carry is good for the back anyway.

 

[simongr]

Interestingly AA gave my e 70lbs/230kg limit on my bags leaving JFK last time as I was connecting to a BA flight. At least the next done 4 will be DONE4 b4 September - not sure how to manage the next one.

Mind you my second bag is generally not too heavy as it's a suit bag (it did resemble a suit ball ball last time as half my case was taken up with my parents excess luggage that I was taking back to PFO for them).

Planning my next DONE4 very carefully - lots of shopping to do on London and New York this time

 

[serfty]

Interestingly AA gave my e 70lbs/230kg limit on my bags leaving JFK last time as I was connecting to a BA flight. At least the next done 4 will be DONE4 b4 September - not sure how to manage the next one. ...

:shock: What was I saying about backs?

 

[serfty]

Corroboration

Here's some more from the QF Agents' site:

...
Piece Allowance

The Piece Allowance is based on the number of bags and their size and applies for all baggage checked between: Australia and Canada, USA, US Territories, South America, Mexico, Papeete and Australia domestic services.

Passengers travelling on Qantas/QantasLink (QF) marketed and operated flights, on an itinerary which includes a flight sector to/from or via Area 1, are entitled to the piece baggage system on all flights within their itinerary, regardless of whether these flights appear on the same or a separate ticket.


Passengers travelling on eligible flights ticketed on a separate ticket must provide proof of their international ticket originating travel to/from or via Area 1. If the passenger is not in possession of their international ticket, a future eligible flight reservation and/or printed itinerary may be used as proof of eligibility.

...

Round The World

The Piece Allowance will apply to all Round The World, Global Explorer, Oneworld Explorer or Oneworld Circle Pacific itineraries.

 

[littl_flier]

Interestingly AA gave my e 70lbs/230kg limit on my bags leaving JFK last time as I was connecting to a BA flight. At least the next done 4 will be DONE4 b4 September - not sure how to manage the next one.

Mind you my second bag is generally not too heavy as it's a suit bag (it did resemble a suit ball ball last time as half my case was taken up with my parents excess luggage that I was taking back to PFO for them).

Planning my next DONE4 very carefully - lots of shopping to do on London and New York this time

And you're the ASIAPAC Audit director hey. I'm sure many people will be happy that 70/2.2 = 230. I can see some record profits coming from the AsiaPac region this year.

 

[serfty]

And the real allowances: Qantas Industry Sales Site - Policies and Procedures - Checked Baggage Allowances

 Travel to/ from USA, US       First: 2 pieces                   32kg (70lbs) per piece
Territories, Tahiti, South     Total dimensions* of each piece
   America and Canada^         must not exceed 158cm (62in)
  via the South Pacific
                               Business/Economy: 2 pieces
	  	               Total dimensions* of the 2 pieces 
                               must not exceed 270cm (106in) 
                               with no 1 piece exceeding 158cm 
                               (62in)

&

^ If your client’s itinerary involves a combination of flights to/from the USA and any other international destinations (eg Sydney Los Angeles London Singapore Sydney) the baggage allowance that applies on flights to the USA will apply for the entire journey. If your client is travelling with other airlines we recommend you check with them regarding their baggage policy.
* Total dimensions are measured by adding together the width, height and depth of the bag.

Qantas have this irrelevant obsession with the "Pacific".

 

[simongr]

Interestingly AA gave my e 70lbs/30kg limit on my bags leaving JFK last time e

Oops - I blame the fact I use firefox at home...

 

[Dave Noble]

If you were to go with BA in J to HKG for the trip to BNE, then assuming that you can check the luggage through the whole way, then you should be fine. BA's 3PC allowance ( 32Kg per PC until 30 Sep) would apply the whole way ; from the BA website

Connecting flights
You will receive the most generous allowance on connecting journeys with British Airways, where you have purchased one ticket your whole journey (a through ticket).
Where separate tickets have been purchased for a connection, the individual allowances will apply.
When checking in for a journey that involves BA and another carrier, the baggage policy of the first international carrier will apply. If BA is the first carrier, and the subsequent carrier's allowance is more generous, then the most generous allowance will apply.

You can add a 4th PC for GBP96 ( if prepaid online ) or GBP120 at the airport

Dave

 

[littl_flier]

If you were to go with BA in J to HKG for the trip to BNE, then assuming that you can check the luggage through the whole way, then you should be fine. BA's 3PC allowance ( 32Kg per PC until 30 Sep) would apply the whole way ; from the BA website

Connecting flights
You will receive the most generous allowance on connecting journeys with British Airways, where you have purchased one ticket your whole journey (a through ticket).
Where separate tickets have been purchased for a connection, the individual allowances will apply.
When checking in for a journey that involves BA and another carrier, the baggage policy of the first international carrier will apply. If BA is the first carrier, and the subsequent carrier's allowance is more generous, then the most generous allowance will apply.

You can add a 4th PC for GBP96 ( if prepaid online ) or GBP120 at the airport

Dave

Dave, my saviour. This is exactly what I am after, particularly the most generous allowance for the entire trip. I'll be travelling after Sept 30 so that may be a trouble, but it might be worth forking out the extra $$$ to have security that I won't be touched up by CX or JL.

Just out of curiousity, do you think BA would apply this for those with status, in that with QF (for SIN-BNE), I would be allowed three at 32kg (and hence the most generous post Sept 30), or would they just apply the standard allowance (2 at 32kg), making the BA allowance more generous?

Sorry to be a PITA. Thanks!