JQ excess baggage

[Princess Fiona]

Flew MEL- NTL this morning on JQ. Had flown into MEL on QF 10. I was charged for being 6kg over limit, ie 26kg (interestingly BA scales at GLA weighed bag at 24kg). Paid up without fuss. Has now got me thinking as WP transferring from QF J long- haul should there be a tolerance applied and if so how much?
I suppose next time I won't bring Shrek back any fine single malt! lol!

 

[samh004]

If you’re coming off a QF international flight then I think the limits from that flight should extend to the JQ flight, maybe only if it’s on the same ticket… but I think that would be fair. Wont happen though :-|

 

[NM]

Welcome home!

The calibration of airline baggage check-in scales is an interesting topic. I wonder what response one would receive if asking to review the most recent calibration report for the scales. Or if asking to weigh the bag on another scale at another check-in desk?

As for the question about tolerance, I believe it you have purchased the ticket as a through-fare, then you should receive the international allowance for domestic connections, especially when there the airlines involved have interline agreements. But if purchased as separate tickets, then there should be no expectation of tolerance.

Now this is just my personal opinion of how it should work and not intended to be an interpretation of any rules or published benefits.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks Sam and NM I thought that should be the case. My flights were all on the same booking reference number, same itinerary on QFF. I do sadly have to book my flights through a less than reliable Corporate TA, they may have separate tickets. As for the issue of the scales I think we need official intervention. I should also say that my first sector BA GLA-LHR was booked entirely separately by me, bucket fare. Baggage weight was not an issue with them, and they also through checked luggage when I asked.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

As for the question about tolerance, I believe it you have purchased the ticket as a through-fare, then you should receive the international allowance for domestic connections, especially when there the airlines involved have interline agreements. But if purchased as separate tickets, then there should be no expectation of tolerance.

Now this is just my personal opinion of how it should work and not intended to be an interpretation of any rules or published benefits.

I don't believe there are interline agreements to/from JQ domestic flights from QF eg whilst you could through check luggage MEL JQ x/SIN QF LHR you could not OOL JQ x/SYD QF SIN or SIN QF x/MEL JQ NTL.

I don't think JQ factor anything in - once you're over 20 kilos that's it, they charge excess baggage.

It would not matter whether tickets are booked on the same pnr or not, nor whether it's through a travel agent vs online.

 

[hazel]

Flew MEL- NTL this morning on JQ. Had flown into MEL on QF 10. I was charged for being 6kg over limit, ie 26kg (interestingly BA scales at GLA weighed bag at 24kg). Paid up without fuss. Has now got me thinking as WP transferring from QF J long- haul should there be a tolerance applied and if so how much?
I suppose next time I won't bring Shrek back any fine single malt! lol!

I had this discussion & problem with JQ last year - I have copied what the JQ website states below. I ended up lodging a complaint with Fair Trading & JQs response to them was they will not charge excess. JQ check-in still tried to argue the point.
International passengers' baggage allowance

For flights operated by Jetstar (JQ):

If you are travelling between a Qantas international flight and a Jetstar service then Jetstar will honour the international baggage allowance shown on your Qantas ticket (or ETicket receipt).
Excess baggage over and above your international baggage allowance limits will be charged according to Jetstar excess baggage charges.
No single item may weigh over 32 kg.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I had this discussion & problem with JQ last year - I have copied what the JQ website states below. I ended up lodging a complaint with Fair Trading & JQs response to them was they will not charge excess. JQ check-in still tried to argue the point.
International passengers' baggage allowance

For flights operated by Jetstar (JQ):

If you are travelling between a Qantas international flight and a Jetstar service then Jetstar will honour the international baggage allowance shown on your Qantas ticket (or ETicket receipt).
Excess baggage over and above your international baggage allowance limits will be charged according to Jetstar excess baggage charges.
No single item may weigh over 32 kg.

So where do you stand when you have a 20kg bag & 13kg bag when a QF Club membership allows you 33kg however your eticket receipt would only say 23kgs eg on eg on a routing SIN/MEL.

 

[hazel]

the information I received from JQ via Fair Trading was - the baggage allowance you get on the QF flight is what you wil get on the JQ flight.
I'm guessing additional allowance from Q club or ff staus is implied.

 

[Princess Fiona]

the information I received from JQ via Fair Trading was - the baggage allowance you get on the QF flight is what you wil get on the JQ flight.
I'm guessing additional allowance from Q club or ff staus is implied.

Thanks Hazel as a follow up from your information I called JQ Customer Service this morning, gave them booking ref etc and queried the excess charges, I also quoted the website saying that they honour international QF baggage allowance. After being put on hold for a short time I was advised verbally that I should not have been charged and to submit copies of boarding passes etc to customer care for a refund! Watch this space

 

[Flashback]

Thanks Hazel as a follow up from your information I called JQ Customer Service this morning, gave them booking ref etc and queried the excess charges, I also quoted the website saying that they honour international QF baggage allowance. After being put on hold for a short time I was advised verbally that I should not have been charged and to submit copies of boarding passes etc to customer care for a refund! Watch this space

Get ready for a nice long wait! :shock:

 

[thewinchester]

I found this thread interesting because of the discrepancies in the weights returned by two different scales.

In Western Australia, the issue is covered under the Trade Measurement Act 2006. Most states would have similar acts and legislation covering this.

The act states:

a person uses a measuring instrument for trade if the person uses it, has it in possession for use, or makes it available for use, to make a measurement for the purpose of;
(b) determining the amount payable as a tax, rate, toll, duty, charge or other impost (however described).

By definition, because the entity (the airline) uses the scale for determining if the baggage is within the allowed limits - and charging fees should it exceed them, then the scale and use of would be covered by the act.

The act requires that any measuring device used for the purpose of trade must bear an inspectors mark;

10. Measuring instruments used for trade to be marked

(1) A person who uses a measuring instrument for trade commits an offence unless —
(a) the instrument bears an inspector’s mark or a licensee’s mark; and
(b) the inspector’s mark or a licensee’s mark continues to have effect in accordance with section 21(4) or (5), as the case may be.

Penalty:
(a) if the measuring instrument is a weighbridge — $10 000;
(b) in any other case — $5 000.

In the relevant scenario, If it was used for determining an excess baggage charge and it did not bear a current inspectors mark - then the airline would be committing an offence.

Further, if the device was found to be giving an incorrect measurement - not only would the owner of the weighing machine be liable, but the Check In Agent would also be personally liable;

14. Instruments that are incorrect or unjustly used

(1) A person who uses for trade a measuring instrument that is incorrect commits an offence.
Penalty: $20 000.

I can't say I've ever looked out for an inspection mark when having my bags weighed, but if I was ever going to be hit with an excess charge when travelling in Australia I'd be on the lookout for the inspection or valid licensee's mark, and if not there - challenging the charge.

 

[oz_mark]

I can't say I've ever looked out for an inspection mark when having my bags weighed, but if I was ever going to be hit with an excess charge when travelling in Australia I'd be on the lookout for the inspection or valid licensee's mark, and if not there - challenging the charge.

I haven't looked lately, but I have seen them in Perth domestic in the past. They are pretty small, like the ones you see on service station pumps.

 

[danmancs]

but if I was ever going to be hit with an excess charge when travelling in Australia I'd be on the lookout for the inspection or valid licensee's mark, and if not there - challenging the charge.

Can you find any examples of what such marks might look like... we could have a lot of fun with this!

 

[thewinchester]

Looks like this thread just made Community Insights:
The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community - Airlines commiting an offence when charging excess baggage without properly certified scales?

Can you find any examples of what such marks might look like... we could have a lot of fun with this!

Here's a link to one from Canada:

I'll pop downstairs to the petrol station later and get a photo of a Western Australian one looks like.

 

[drwtsv]

Hi, I have checked the Jetstar website and searched through the wording on the baggage page and I cant see where they say they will honour the Qantas baggage allowance - maybe its already been removed I was going to print it and keep in my hand luggage for future reference at the airport. If the wording is still out there somewhere a link would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[gilby08]

Jetstar allowance is 20kgs, QANTAS is 23kgs, if it's a codeshare ticket on JQ (fare class being, A, X, B and something else) you are entitled to the QF 23kgs baggage allowance.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Jetstar allowance is 20kgs, QANTAS is 23kgs, if it's a codeshare ticket on JQ (fare class being, A, X, B and something else) you are entitled to the QF 23kgs baggage allowance.

Travelling business class 30kg on QF ( 45kg allowing for Platinum status). There is no mention on the JQ website that it is only the economy QF baggage allowance that is honored.

 

[Princess Fiona]

This is the JQ information from the website. I found it in the site map, baggage section. V well hidden

 

[drwtsv]

Thanks Princess Fiona for the file, its now safely tucked away in my hand luggage, I just know it will come in handy one day :mrgreen: thanks again

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks Princess Fiona for the file, its now safely tucked away in my hand luggage, I just know it will come in handy one day :mrgreen: thanks again

You're very welcome, I have of course sent a copy to JQ customer services just in case they haven't read it ! lol