My turn to whinge about excess baggage

[MelUser]

Why are some being so harsh on Steve?

It is disappointing that the airline (DJ) did not try and help someone travelling with children.

When I joined this website a few years ago most people were very polite.

Now it seems that we choose to attack a fellow AFF member who is sharing his story and perhaps could use a little sympathy and certainly does not need to be turned on by fellow members.

 

[lovestotravel]

Just grumpy people...

I have the opposite experience..

I had a domestic flight recently that was Virgin in one-direction and Qantas on the way home. The person I had booked to travel with, was no longer traveling and the flight was not refundable.

I was overweight... but about 10kgs..... I was prepared to pay if needed.
Virgin - Did not charge me as they said my travel partner has an allowance even though they were not coming.
Qantas - Charged me for excess luggage and wanted to confirm so many times that my travel partner was not going to fly.

 

[StevePER]

Those flights weren't free - they were paid for by the annual membership fee, use of the card frequently and everything else (sale of marketing data etc.)

Indeed - to me this is not a cheap card and we wouldn't be paying the annual fee if it wasn't for the flight being included. I think of it more as paying for the flight and getting a free credit card than the other way around.

 

[greenfish]

This charge is symptomatic of the increasing reliance of "add-ons" for airline profitability. These "rules" exist purely to bolster airline profitability.

I had a similar experience in the USA last year. I had read how strict CO/UA were, but was still amazed when I was forced to spend better than 30 minutes distributing personal items to ensure no bag exceeded 23Kg. We (family of 5, 3 small kids) were all on a single PNR, and travelling "heavy", as part of a 4 month trip.

I support enforcing the OH&S "rules" of 32Kg / 70lbs bag limit, but the requirement this time to level weights to within a couple of Kg seems silly. It is also difficult when travelling, as you don't always have access to accurate scales, so getting the bags spot on 23Kg or under isn't easy.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So as a related question, as I have the gold luggage allowance of 32kg, I've always assumed this to mean I can bring that allowance in just 1 case should I so desire. I'm assuming this is true, but a DJ preference (non-enforced) is for 2 x 16kg. This actually means less of an allowance because the extra case itself has weight. My cases are cheap and old......and heavy, so this does weigh into the discussion (pun intended ).

Now to the other side of the coin, is there a limit on the number of cases I carry, provided the included 32kg is not exceeded? Like, could I take 10 cases @ 3.2kg each?

 

[Jama]

Those flights weren't free - they were paid for by the annual membership fee, use of the card frequently and everything else (sale of marketing data etc.)

In addition, the price of the fare is irrelevent in my book. If you have a certain clase fare, what you paid for it compared to the next person doesn't change the clase of fare or the way you should be looked after. Sort of like saying if I shop around for an appliance instead of paying full price like the next person I should expect and deserve less in the way of customer service when it comes to warranty or the like.

 

[StevePER]

Sorted, the $30 has been refunded. Credit to Virgin for not only refunding the money, but responding so quickly.

Interestingly, I now can't use OLCI for the return leg.

We cannot complete your request for one of the following reasons:

• Your booking has an amount outstandingor
• Your booking may have a refund pending

For further enquiries please contact the Guest Contact Centre

 

[Princess Fiona]

That's a good result, are you going to split the bags x 3 for the return or have they stated that the charge was an error?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Excellent. That's good news and a decision for common sense.

 

[StevePER]

That's a good result, are you going to split the bags x 3 for the return or have they stated that the charge was an error?

Ended up splitting them for the return due to some additional purchases while away. They basically said that since we would have had us all under one booking in normal circumstances they would refund the money.