Qantas to increase excess baggage charge for domestic passengers

[SnowYeti]

Hmmm....... penny pinching time?
Qantas to increase excess baggage charge for domestic passengers | Travel News | News.com.au




Qantas to increase excess baggage fees

Domestic changes reflect international fees

Fees kick in at 23kg, not 32kg

QANTAS will increase excess baggage charges for domestic passengers from tomorrow.

Travellers will be charged $10 for each kilogram over 23kg. Under the old system, there was no charge up to 32kg.

The premium class baggage allowance will be reduced by 2kg to 30kg, the Herald Sun reports.

Qantas customer services manager Lesley Grant said the changes would align domestic and international rates.

On international services, the allowance for economy and premium economy passengers will be lifted from 20kg to 23kg.

On a Melbourne-London flight, the excess charge will be $50 a kilo while the excess fee on some Asian services will be $35 a kilo.

Passengers travelling in economy or premium economy to the US remain under the piece system, with a new free allowance of two pieces at 23kg a piece.


A flat rate of $50 a piece is charged for any case exceeding 23kg. Maximum baggage weight is 32kg.

 

[oz_mark]

'twas announced months ago.

 

[SnowYeti]

Yeah that what I thought, don't know why media is making a big mumble jumbo about it!

 

[serfty]

Yeah that what I thought, don't know why media is making a big mumble jumbo about it!

Beacuse the write (Geoff Easdown) has probably had it in his little black book to do this since it was announced last year.

He already has two stories for the price of one! (Qantas domestic passengers hit with new excess baggage charges | Herald Sun)

 

[simongr]

Yeah that what I thought, don't know why media is making a big mumble jumbo about it!

Because there hasnt been a puncture recently to beat QF up about (though there have been incidents like a truck drivign into an A380).

I dont understand what the problem is. 80% of pax get a lift in their luggage allowance and people now pay fees for going over their allowance.

 

[NM]

I would have expected the excess baggage charge is there to recover the additional cost of carrying the excess baggage on the flight. So for a flight to London, the excess charge for an additional 23kg is 23 x $50 = $1150. If that is supposed to reflect the cost of carrying the extra 23Kg bag (handling, processing, loss risk, fuel etc) then surely the included 23Kg costs a similar $1150. That would mean for a return fare to London, $2300 is just to cover the base 23Kg of luggage, making the cost to carry, feed, water and entertain the actual passenger very low indeed.

It certainly appears to me that the excess baggage charges are in excess of the actual cost incurred by Qantas to carry the excess weight.

 

[MelUser]

In some instances it may be cheaper to buy Qantas Club membership or a second seat!

 

[bambbbam2]

I'm still not clear on how this affects SG and WP flyers?

 

[serfty]

The max weight for PS/SG for Oz/Eur flights was 30Kg in WHY - it is now 33Kg. WP from 35Kg to 38Kg in WHY.

 

[kpc]

I'm still not clear on how this affects SG and WP flyers?

This is a significant reduction for domestic flights.
Previously:
SG in economy: 2 bags (i.e.1 extra), with each bag up to 32 kg
SG in business: 4 bags (i.e. 1 extra), with each bag up to 32 kg

Now:
SG in economy:Total of 33 kgs (i.e.10kg extra), with any number of bags
SG in business: Total of 40 kgs (i.e.10kg extra), with any number of bags

Previously:
WP in economy:3 bags (i.e. 2 extra), with each bag up to 32 kg
WP in business:5 bags (i.e. 2 extra), with each bag up to 32 kg

Now:
WP in economy:Total of 38 kgs (i.e.15kg extra), with any number of bags
WP in business: Total of 45 kgs (i.e.15kg extra), with any number of bags

So previously a WP travelling in domestic J, could check in 5 bags with a maximum weight totalling 160kg!!! Now it is 45kg (i.e 15kg extra) in any number of bags, with the maximum weight of any bag at 32kg.

 

[oz_mark]

So previously a WP travelling in domestic J, could check in 5 bags with a maximum weight totalling 160kg!!! Now it is 45kg (i.e 15kg extra) in any number of bags, with the maximum weight of any bag at 32kg.

Moral of the story: Stop carting so much stuff around the country

 

[kpc]

Moral of the story: Stop carting so much stuff around the country

I might have to leave the kitchen sink at home now!:shock:

 

[Flashback]

I might have to leave the kitchen sink at home now!:shock:

And Dave Noble his complete diving gear kit :mrgreen:

 

[SnowYeti]

2 weeks ago, I travelled SFO-SYD. I had over 70 kilos in 4 bags. No excess charges ... just have to hide stuff in ski bags Was not questioned either flying in discount Y.

 

[futaris]

There were some long queues at the ticketing desk in the domestic terminal in BNE this morning. If you're planning on paying for extra luggage, I would budget an extra 15-30 mins for the next few months.

NB, Today was the first day that the new changes were implemented.

 

[codash1099]

I would have expected the excess baggage charge is there to recover the additional cost of carrying the excess baggage on the flight. So for a flight to London, the excess charge for an additional 23kg is 23 x $50 = $1150. If that is supposed to reflect the cost of carrying the extra 23Kg bag (handling, processing, loss risk, fuel etc) then surely the included 23Kg costs a similar $1150. That would mean for a return fare to London, $2300 is just to cover the base 23Kg of luggage, making the cost to carry, feed, water and entertain the actual passenger very low indeed.

It certainly appears to me that the excess baggage charges are in excess of the actual cost incurred by Qantas to carry the excess weight.

Logic has no place when discussing what airlines do

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I would have expected the excess baggage charge is there to recover the additional cost of carrying the excess baggage on the flight. So for a flight to London, the excess charge for an additional 23kg is 23 x $50 = $1150. If that is supposed to reflect the cost of carrying the extra 23Kg bag (handling, processing, loss risk, fuel etc) then surely the included 23Kg costs a similar $1150. That would mean for a return fare to London, $2300 is just to cover the base 23Kg of luggage, making the cost to carry, feed, water and entertain the actual passenger very low indeed.

This is assuming no cross-subsidisation by any other passenger. I think QANTAS is feeling the pinch resulting from fewer "ultra profitable" customers flying. It was these customers that subsidised those carrying lots of baggage but paying lower fares. These new charges are helping "bubble up" to the surface those cross-subsidies. You can continue to fly SYD-LHR for a cheap fare, but only if you bring an economical amount of luggage. If you want to bring more, you're going to start paying air-freight rates

 

[Evan]

This is assuming no cross-subsidisation by any other passenger. I think QANTAS is feeling the pinch resulting from fewer "ultra profitable" customers flying. It was these customers that subsidised those carrying lots of baggage but paying lower fares. These new charges are helping "bubble up" to the surface those cross-subsidies. You can continue to fly SYD-LHR for a cheap fare, but only if you bring an economical amount of luggage. If you want to bring more, you're going to start paying air-freight rates

I would say that makes sense !
More often than not i have only had hand luggage or a small approx 12kg checked in bag for longer trips when flying F and J. In why i usually have the same 12-13kgs.
But unless i have been doing silly hings like buying hi-fi gear overseas i have never got close the the premium class allowances.

I also observe most F/J passengers don't usually seem to have much in the way of bags

E

 

[JohnK]

I do not see an issue with airlines charging more for excess baggage allowances. Either shop less on overseas trips or learn to stay within the baggage allowances limits.

And as a status or premium passenger on domestic flights the only significant difference is the reduction in baggage allowance but I suspect this is only going to affect a few people. As someone mentioned in another thread it is cheaper to send 23kg via Australia Post. So if you know you are going somewhere then send some of the stuff in advance.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

It certainly appears to me that the excess baggage charges are in excess of the actual cost incurred by Qantas to carry the excess weight.

Guess profit's not a dirty word! :shock: :shock: