Platinum caught out with VA baggage ex CBR

[servicerequired]

Just a new data point which I learnt today ...

CBR - MEL

Platinum

Normally I fly J - but in Y (choice) on this occasion ... 2 x bags ... 1 x 14 kg and 1 x 27 kg

Denied ability to check in the 27 kg bag - asked to reshuffle my bags - I kindly asked the polite attendant whether she could please check with her manager, I was certain that the Platinum baggage allowance was higher - either way, if I'm being asked to move 4 kg from one bag to another, you would think there would be some discretion provided to the attendant.

Attendant returned and I was advised that I could check in my 27 kg bag - but with the addition of a $60 excess baggage fee.

I happily pulled out my Qantas MasterCard and paid the fee.

We discussed the disappointment - overall, I cannot fault her politeness - however, I would have thought that there would be some common sense discretion, particularly when it is simply the 'excess baggage' fee that was charged.

What is others' experience of this scenario?

I am now clear - the rules are clear - 3 x 23 kg bags for Platinum members in Economy - with no discretion provided for lighter or heavier items - individual bags must not exceed the 23 kg limit, otherwise the excess baggage fee of $60 applies.

 

[astrosly]

Remember there are humans that lift your checked bags and expect <23kg unless marked that it is some kgs heavier. I don't believe discretion comes into it at all, it is a WHS issue. You had a bag heavier than what was allowed (even for platinum). You should have it marked as excess weighted baggage and pay appropriately.

 

[MarkD]

Baggage limits clearly state here.

Checked baggage

Your guide to Virgin Australia's checked baggage allowance based on your selected fare. Find information on size, weights and extras.

www.virginaustralia.com

I always thought it was WHS issue for weights, but clearly not. never really check bags and lucky last week coming back from Vanuatu, wifes bag 24KG (Platinum also) and no questions asked... I know how can she possibly have 24kg for Vanuatu....

 

[Dmac59]

I am now clear - the rules are clear - 3 x 23 kg bags for Platinum members in Economy - with no discretion provided for lighter or heavier items - individual bags must not exceed the 23 kg limit, otherwise the excess baggage fee of $60 applies.

Disappointing - whereas another Carrier would have allowed 2 x 32kg

 

[henrus]

I don't believe discretion comes into it at all, it is a WHS issue.

WHS isn't the issue here as a Plat in Business could have checked 3x32kg bags.

Yes a very long time ago when it was DJ and then early days of VA a status holder in Economy did get a 32kg allowance but when business class was introduced in 2011/2012 this is when it changed.

I kind of agree that they should be able to waive it if you've only got a single piece between 23-32kg (and not using the other allowance) but I guess rules are rules.

Disappointing - whereas another Carrier would have allowed 2 x 32kg

To be fair you actually get more kg's on VA.

VA Plat travelling in Economy (on a fare except lite) is 3x23kgs for a total of 69kg whereas a QF Plat travelling in Economy is 2x32kgs for a total of 64kg.

For what it's worth the QF allowance for non QF status holders (OWS and OWE) is only 2x23kgs bags on Australian domestic and I've once seem someone arguing about checking in a single 27kg bag after being told to move it around.

 

[TheInsider]

FWIW the allowance is 23kg, not 24, not even 25. It's 23kg

Odd that they asked you to shuffle the bags around first, rather than just say what the charge was for the get go and then see if you wanted to move items around.

 

[Happy Dude]

@servicerequired I had the same experience a few weeks ago, also at CBR, but for just 1kg in each of the two bags I was checking.

I'm WP too and knew the rules, and they weighed at 23kgs each at home (which I doubt is a particularly accurate measure). To make the bags acceptable weight and avoid the fee, I took up to kilo out of each bag and carried it, which would have made my cabin bag about 12kg or so I'm guessing.

Weirdly, the same bags at QF check-in in CNS weighed 22kg plus change, meaning the QF scales were about a kilo short of VA.

 

[Steven of Mysore]

Remember there are humans that lift your checked bags and expect <23kg unless marked that it is some kgs heavier. I don't believe discretion comes into it at all, it is a WHS issue. You had a bag heavier than what was allowed (even for platinum). You should have it marked as excess weighted baggage and pay appropriately.

That's true but it is entirely inconsistent when Platinum Business can have 3 * 32kg bags.

 

[antycbr]

I'm WP too and knew the rules, and they weighed at 23kgs each at home (which I doubt is a particularly accurate measure). To make the bags acceptable weight and avoid the fee, I took up to kilo out of each bag and carried it, which would have made my cabin bag about 12kg or so I'm guessing.

Ask to inspect their records of calibration of the CBR airport provided scales from a NATA approved testing provider.