Qantas selling a ticket but can't tell baggage allowance

[Longtoo]

I have an interesting situation with Qantas. I purchased a ticket from SYD to Hanoi, it is via bankok, thus the 2nd leg is by Vietnam airline. I call QF to ask about baggage allowance, QF could not provide me with any info. They refer me to Vietnam airline. I called Vietnam airline, they do not recognise the QF ticket number and can't tell me anything.

Ticket says 30Kg, Vietnam airline website says 1 piece 23Kg. One of them must be wrong.

Just sharing my story as it seems that QF is happy to take the money but no responsibilities to look after customers.

 

[encryptededdy]

If the bags are checked through, then whatever Qantas accepts from you in Sydney will make its way to Hanoi no problem.

Only issue is the return trip

 

[oz_mark]

If it is a single booking, it will be based on the allowance of the Most Significant Carrier (which in this case would be Qantas).

Help and Support | Qantas

help.qantas.com

 

[Longtoo]

I agree in theory with Oz-mark, theory only!

it is a single booking, one PRN. I couple of months ago, the agent could not check me in as the system is asking for excess baggage fee to be paid to VN airline. Luckily at that time i was also a premium frequent flyer member with VN airline, the agent had to enter my VN airline membership to the system. Sadly i don't fly often enough with VN airline, and have dropped to silver. (Yet, i still have to claim points from VN airline separately!)

My return is all Oneworld carriers, as a QF platinum baggage allowance is not an issue.

PS: I have submitted a complaint to QF via the complaint form. Let's see what they got to say.

 

[Flexter]

I have a similar issue. I have a single QF ticket flying SCL (via AKL) SYD and SYD SCL EZE and want to confirm my baggage allowance, but specifically as it relates to the extra allowance under Qantas Club membership. The first (outward) leg is a Latam flight but with QF number, so a codeshare. The return leg is QF27 to SCL connecting with Latam for SCL EZE. The SCL EZE flight is listed as an LA flight with no QF number (hence not codeshare).

My specific interest is the return leg (SYD SCL EZE) as I'd like to bring multiple bags as permitted by Qantas Club (3 x 32kg as per QF baggage allowance web page), but will those 3 x 32kg be permitted on the Latam flight SCL EZE? QF customer service gives me different answers, while Latam tells me the allowance for each leg is 23kg. Curiously, putting my booking ref into manage booking on various other One World carriers - notably Royal Jordanian, Malaysian and Finnair - states specifically that QF is the Most Significant Carrier for checked luggage for all legs, and 32kg per piece applies. Can I rely on this information even though I'm not flying any of these airlines? If so, then will 3 x 32kg under Qantas Club be accepted on the connecting Latam flight SCL EZE?

Any insight welcome! Many thanks.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I have a similar issue. I have a single QF ticket flying SCL (via AKL) SYD and SYD SCL EZE and want to confirm my baggage allowance, but specifically as it relates to the extra allowance under Qantas Club membership. The first (outward) leg is a Latam flight but with QF number, so a codeshare. The return leg is QF27 to SCL connecting with Latam for SCL EZE. The SCL EZE flight is listed as an LA flight with no QF number (hence not codeshare).

My specific interest is the return leg (SYD SCL EZE) as I'd like to bring multiple bags as permitted by Qantas Club (3 x 32kg as per QF baggage allowance web page), but will those 3 x 32kg be permitted on the Latam flight SCL EZE? QF customer service gives me different answers, while Latam tells me the allowance for each leg is 23kg. Curiously, putting my booking ref into manage booking on various other One World carriers - notably Royal Jordanian, Malaysian and Finnair - states specifically that QF is the Most Significant Carrier for checked luggage for all legs, and 32kg per piece applies. Can I rely on this information even though I'm not flying any of these airlines? If so, then will 3 x 32kg under Qantas Club be accepted on the connecting Latam flight SCL EZE?

Any insight welcome! Many thanks.

To me QF club is only for QF flights. QF club benefits mean nothing to other airlines. Unless a specific published benefit like AA lounges.
Would not expect QF club allowance to apply to LATAM.
QF Latam.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/network-and-partner-airlines/latam-airlines.html

A lot of red X. Including for QF status. And LATAM is not in Oneworld. QF club will not get access to LATAM lounges.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/the-qantas-club/benefits.html

Checked baggage | Qantas AU

Find out our checked baggage allowances for your domestic or international flight.

www.qantas.com

Often (but not always) once a bag is on the first flight it will get transferred to to the next airlines flight even when technically a luggage charge should apply.
More airlines are now refusing to interline bags on separate PNR's. The 2nd airline not getting its baggage fee is one reason. Liablilty is another reason.

Flexter's other thread. Discounted Qantas Club Membership with AFF - works for points payment or just cash?

(Just take less bags or upfare to a higher class with a greater baggage allowance)

 

[Flexter]

Thanks for your reply. I hear you re Qantas Club being targeted to QF only, hence my question. But upon further review of the Most Significant Carrier rule, it does seem to apply here with Latam: https://www.latamairlines.com/ca/en/experience/prepare-your-trip/baggage/interairline. For my return leg (SYD SCL EZE), QF is clearly the Most Significant Carrier so QF's baggage allowance applies. This would therefore include Qantas Club allowance of 3 x 32kg as per this: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel...baggage.html#international-including-americas.

The link you sent with the many red x's specifically refers to "Benefits included for QF codeshare services operated by LATAM". This is not applicable for my return leg as it's not a codeshare. It's QF + LA and as noted above according to Latam, the MSC would apply.

As for lounge access it does appear that the Latam lounge in Santiago is accessible to Qantas Club members: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas...unge-locations.html/scl/latam-vip-lounge.html, but it's not a concern for me if not.

Finally, as your sleuthing of my other post indicates, I am indeed looking to ascertain whether paying for Qantas Club membership is worth it for me as I seek the most cost effective way to bring multiple bags. The short answer is yes. The cost of buying 2 additional bags for my return leg (QF + LA) is more than the offshore Qantas Club membership 1 year fee applicable to me. Upfaring would be great in theory, but given the already exorbitant fare for economy it's highway robbery! Sadly, there is zero competition for flights between Aus and Sth America since both Air NZ and Aerolineas Argentinas stopped coverage.

 

[equus]

This would therefore include Qantas Club allowance of 3 x 32kg

Most significant carrier application applies to "published baggage rules", and this does not include the QC allowance, or any elite allowance other than something provided by an alliance (OW extra baggage) - which does not apply here anyway. As it is QF checking you in, they may allow you to use the QC allowance, and it may check all the way through, but there is absolutely no guarantee.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Most significant carrier application applies to "published baggage rules", and this does not include the QC allowance, or any elite allowance other than something provided by an alliance (OW extra baggage) - which does not apply here anyway. As it is QF checking you in, they may allow you to use the QC allowance, and it may check all the way through, but there is absolutely no guarantee.

Even alliance (OW extra baggage) can change as a person status, on the day of the flight, could be lower, the same or higher than when booked.. Would be howls is a persons status increased and they did not get extra bag allowance or get lounge access (if applicable).

And some people change the ff number (program) from that when booked, to cherry pick benefits. Then change back again. Changing works at times or other times does not work. [airline IT dependant]. Or sticks in the reservation when that was not the intention.

Edit
AFF article 21 Mar 2024 https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/latam-lounge-access-qantas-flyers/

<snip>
I recently flew with LATAM Airlines within South America as a Qantas Platinum, and I was assigned “group 5” boarding. I also was unable to access the priority check-in queue because the staff member at this particular airport in Brazil had never heard of Qantas. So, it doesn’t seem like LATAM is honouring other benefits for Qantas frequent flyers any more.
<snip>

 

[Flexter]

Most significant carrier application applies to "published baggage rules", and this does not include the QC allowance, or any elite allowance other than something provided by an alliance (OW extra baggage) - which does not apply here anyway. As it is QF checking you in, they may allow you to use the QC allowance, and it may check all the way through, but there is absolutely no guarantee.

Thanks for this info. I spoke with Qantas and Latam again. Qantas confirmed "definitively" that the QC allowance of 3 x 32kg would be permitted on my connecting Latam flight. I think it is as you say QF (the MSC) is checking me in on a QF flight that is QF ticketed all the way to EZE so they will permit the QC allowance. Meanwhile, Latam confirmed that they would defer to QF's baggage allowance. I will confirm again in person with QF at SYD airport on arrival, but it seems I'm good to go.

 

[Flexter]

Even alliance (OW extra baggage) can change as a person status, on the day of the flight, could be lower, the same or higher than when booked.. Would be howls is a persons status increased and they did not get extra bag allowance or get lounge access (if applicable).

And some people change the ff number (program) from that when booked, to cherry pick benefits. Then change back again. Changing works at times or other times does not work. [airline IT dependant]. Or sticks in the reservation when that was not the intention.

Edit
AFF article 21 Mar 2024 https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/latam-lounge-access-qantas-flyers/

Interesting timing of Matt's article. A shame he didn't address my query specifically. Jokes aside, this is informative. I'm not at all surprised that Latam (esp in Brazil) didn't recognise Qantas Platinum (or any OW equivalent) for boarding. Boarding priority is the least of my concerns, but it's good to know the Latam lounge in Santiago is accessible as I had thought.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Another QF-LA article by MattG (but not directly related to your flights)
23 Mar --> https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-lounge-access-latam-pass-status/

Your first post

I have a similar issue. I have a single QF ticket flying SCL (via AKL) SYD and SYD SCL EZE and want to confirm my baggage allowance, but specifically as it relates to the extra allowance under Qantas Club membership. The first (outward) leg is a Latam flight but with QF number, so a codeshare. The return leg is QF27 to SCL connecting with Latam for SCL EZE. The SCL EZE flight is listed as an LA flight with no QF number (hence not codeshare).

So SCL-(AKL)-SYD QF marketed~LA operated as single flight number
Then SYD-SCL-EZE QF marketed~QF operated + LA marketed~LA operated

Interesting timing of Matt's article. A shame he didn't address my query specifically. Jokes aside, this is informative. I'm not at all surprised that Latam (esp in Brazil) didn't recognise Qantas Platinum (or any OW equivalent) for boarding. Boarding priority is the least of my concerns, but it's good to know the Latam lounge in Santiago is accessible as I had thought.

From the link (image below) suspect you will not get SCL lounge access as Q Club member. As QClub members on a QF marketed-LA operated flight do not get access (as table X) a LA marketed-LA operated will not. QF Gold Plat status pax would get access

To me you are being optimistic for both baggage and lounge access.
On QF27 SYD-SCL extra baggage will be OK (QClub), and if interlined to EZE will likely escape any extra payment to LATAM.

After you fly please report back.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/network-and-partner-airlines/latam-airlines.html

 

[Flexter]

On QF27 SYD-SCL extra baggage will be OK (QClub), and if interlined to EZE will likely escape any extra payment to LATAM.

As per my original post, this is my primary concern. Great to see a negative Nellie like yourself concurs! The rest doesn't bother me. I'm not taking check-in baggage on the outward leg anyway.

What I can confirm is that the table with Benefits included for QF codeshare services operated by LATAM with the many red x's isn't all correct. In terms of my outbound QF codeshare flight on Latam, I was able to select my seats (did it on Latam site, but option was available on QF site too) and complete online check-in (also on Latam site, but option also available on QF 24hrs before). On the other hand, I was not able to request a special meal, despite the table saying I could. Go figure!

So you can't believe everything you read online. This whole exercise speaks to the farcical nature of global airline bookings. So complex with so many permutations and inconsistencies that no one, including the airlines themselves, know what is allowed.

 

[bookworm]

I have a similar question. I am a Qantas Club member & thought I had 3 bags, but no, I have 2.
A call to Qantas call centre was of no help. They said as I was booked on some internal flights AA flights, I was unable to get 3 bags.

On same ticket booked as follows :
PER to MEL- Y (Jetstar)
MEL to LAX J (Qantas)
LAS to DEN (via Phoenix)
SFO to SYD J (Qantas)
SYD to PER Y (Qantas)

Can anyone please shed some light on the above?
The ticket says 2 bags.


On a previous OWA (J), Qantas could not tell me what my baggage allowance was.
I was asked to call all the different airlines & ask at the airport, no-one could help!

 

[RichardMEL]

I have a similar question. I am a Qantas Club member & thought I had 3 bags, but no, I have 2.
A call to Qantas call centre was of no help. They said as I was booked on some internal flights AA flights, I was unable to get 3 bags.

On same ticket booked as follows :
PER to MEL- Y (Jetstar)
MEL to LAX J (Qantas)
LAS to DEN (via Phoenix)
SFO to SYD J (Qantas)
SYD to PER Y (Qantas)

Can anyone please shed some light on the above?
The ticket says 2 bags.


On a previous OWA (J), Qantas could not tell me what my baggage allowance was.
I was asked to call all the different airlines & ask at the airport, no-one could help!

For LAS-PHX-DEN, you get no extra checked bags for your QC status, so it will depend on what AA gives for the fare you have.

 

[Longtoo]

I submitted a query to QF on 18 March, then on 5 April, 3 days after my flight, they sent me the response below. The person did not seem to check my flight details. Any form of AI would do a better job than this. not a big deal for me, i just find it interesting, probably worth sharing. Data about my flight: outbound QF295-VN618; return CX then QF (different route).

 

[Flexter]

Another QF-LA article by MattG (but not directly related to your flights)
23 Mar --> https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-lounge-access-latam-pass-status/

Your first post

So SCL-(AKL)-SYD QF marketed~LA operated as single flight number
Then SYD-SCL-EZE QF marketed~QF operated + LA marketed~LA operated


From the link (image below) suspect you will not get SCL lounge access as Q Club member. As QClub members on a QF marketed-LA operated flight do not get access (as table X) a LA marketed-LA operated will not. QF Gold Plat status pax would get access

To me you are being optimistic for both baggage and lounge access.
On QF27 SYD-SCL extra baggage will be OK (QClub), and if interlined to EZE will likely escape any extra payment to LATAM.

After you fly please report back.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/network-and-partner-airlines/latam-airlines.html

I am pleased to report that Qantas Club delivered on all fronts with regard to both baggage and lounge access. Most important for me, I was indeed able to take 3 x 32kg on my SYD-SCL-EZE flights (QF + LA). The lady checking me in did check a print out she had on her desk which concurred that Qantas Club entitled me to 3 times the standard allowance. As such this verifies the most significant carrier rule, being QF in this case and carrying over to my LA flight to my final destination of EZE.

Further, my son and I accessed the Latam VIP Lounge in Santiago on BOTH the outbound and return legs using Qantas Club. Let me also say that it is a magnificent new lounge in the new terminal at SCL. A significant upgrade from the old LAN lounge in the old SCL terminal if anyone remembers that. The Latam staff are also exceptionally courteous and very kind. Naturally, we also got access to the QF lounge in AKL on the outbound leg too.

Happy days! I hope this is useful for others taking these fights.

 

[vanesaboch]

Hi Flexter,
I was glad to read that you were able to use the 3x32 kg baggage on your trip to EZE. I took a similar trip from BNE-SYD-SCL-EZE in December 2023-Jan 2024, but I was not as lucky as you! On my outbound flight Qantas was able to allow me the 3x32 kg, but they advised me that the LATAM leg of the flight would only allow me 1 piece of 23 kg. They made an exception and allow me to get the 3x32 kg on the outbound flight, but on my return flight I had to pay excess luggage, as I had to check in with LATAM in EZE. I was carrying only 2 pieces of less than 23 kg, but they charged me AUD$350 for the excess luggage!! I asked them about Qantas Club and they said that only applied for QF flights. I guess it depends on who you get at the counter! Do you have any tips you used to be able to get the 3x32 kg on your return flight from EZE, please? Thanks!

 

[p--and--t]

Hi Flexter,
I was glad to read that you were able to use the 3x32 kg baggage on your trip to EZE. I took a similar trip from BNE-SYD-SCL-EZE in December 2023-Jan 2024, but I was not as lucky as you! On my outbound flight Qantas was able to allow me the 3x32 kg, but they advised me that the LATAM leg of the flight would only allow me 1 piece of 23 kg. They made an exception and allow me to get the 3x32 kg on the outbound flight, but on my return flight I had to pay excess luggage, as I had to check in with LATAM in EZE. I was carrying only 2 pieces of less than 23 kg, but they charged me AUD$350 for the excess luggage!! I asked them about Qantas Club and they said that only applied for QF flights. I guess it depends on who you get at the counter! Do you have any tips you used to be able to get the 3x32 kg on your return flight from EZE, please? Thanks!

Was your return flight a LA flight number or QF code share number? That may be the difference to Flextor

 

[vanesaboch]

Was your return flight a LA flight number or QF code share number? That may be the difference to Flextor

Both flights were purchased with Qantas and were QF flights from BNE to SCL, but the flight from SCL-EZE and EZE and SCL are never with a QF codeshare, as Latam is no longer codesharing for flights arriving in EZE (Argentina). Even if you are purchasing QF flights on Qantas, the flights between Chile and Argentina will always be LA flight number. Flextor had the same flight (QF +LA), that is why I asked about tips!