QF/EK FF benefits revealed

[qfp]

It's a question of the rather meaningless number of kilograms and how practical each system is.

To me a weight-based system is much more practical, however obviously it is not as cheap in terms of excess. But it does make it a lot easier if you have multiple bags.

I am not sure how you can say the number of kilograms is meaningless???
With significantly less kilograms allowed there is an obvious drop in the number of bags you can carry also isn't there?

I can see the benefits of a weight based system but not if means an approximate halving (or more than half in one case) of the total weight allowed. I may not always reach the 96kg maximum for many of my flights but I often carry two bags that weigh more than a total of 50kg on a longer trip or if shopping is involved...

 

[markis10]

I am not sure how you can say the number of kilograms is meaningless???
With significantly less kilograms allowed there is an obvious drop in the number of bags you can carry also isn't there?

I can see the benefits of a weight based system but not if means an approximate halving (or more than half in one case) of the total weight allowed. I may not always reach the 96kg maximum for many of my flights but I often carry two bags that weigh more than a total of 50kg on a longer trip or if shopping is involved...

Having a weight system versus piece will suit more people, simply because the weight can be spread out. I would be surprised if many here would travel with 50kg, I feel heavy travelling with +20Kg.

 

[qfp]

I'd suggest if you are carrying almost 100kgs of luggage for 1 person over multiple bags then you should probably be using freight and/or courier, not to mention how you are going to wheel 3-4 bags totaling 100kgs by yourself.
Over many years of traveling to all over the world, I've never had more than 25-28kg's in total at the start/end of my trips, that's on Holidays and work trips overseas thats even with gift shopping.
Even my wife (who does ALOT of shopping whilst on holidays) only manages to reach 30-35kgs.

I guess different people see things differently - I have often carried 3 x 30kg bags after a shopping trip and it would sometimes involve a rental car to get me to the airport - I have even done this a number of times on the NYC subway system ;-)
The extra allowance is also useful if you are travelling with family, friends, etc because you can "share" your allowance with them

 

[ozmille]

Oow, will finally be able to say to SWMBO no we can't go shopping anymore as we can't take any more bags...

It looks like this is a true "enhancement" QF style, on our last trip to BKK we were allowed 4x32 kgs each now it will be 60kg each...

 

[markis10]

I guess different people see things differently - I have often carried 3 x 30kg bags after a shopping trip and it would sometimes involve a rental car to get me to the airport - I have even done this a number of times on the NYC subway system ;-)
The extra allowance is also useful if you are travelling with family, friends, etc because you can "share" your allowance with them

Given the allowance for Platinums to the USA has increased and for other status members there is no change traveling to the US, not sure what the issue is!

 

[qfp]

Given the allowance for Platinums to the USA has increased and for other status members there is no change traveling to the US, not sure what the issue is!

It affects everything EXCEPT the Americas ;-)

And yes I used NYC as an example but only to illustrate that people (such a me) sometimes do carry that much without a freight service - but the Americas it isn't the only place people go shopping and/or share a holiday with family/friends ;-)

Under this new system I can't even carry 2x30kg to/from Europe or Asia without being charged...

 

[markis10]

It affects everything EXCEPT the Americas ;-)

And yes I used NYC as an example - but it isn't the only place people go shopping and/or share a holiday with family/friends ;-)

I am well aware it affects no Americas, just pointing out your example would not change, which made it something of a waste of an example. As a business traveller who occasionally gets given boxes of brochures or marketing material that become a piece, I love the changes!

 

[qfp]

I am well aware it affects no Americas, just pointing out your example would not change, which made it something of a waste of an example. As a business traveller who occasionally gets given boxes of brochures or marketing material that become a piece, I love the changes!

I agree that the removal of the piece system will make some people happy, including myself in some cases, my issue is that it doesn't have to be at the expensive of so many kilograms - if there are lots of people not even using the kilograms I don't think Qantas had to be so ruthless with the cutbacks ?!?

 

[cmon0005]

I guess different people see things differently - I have often carried 3 x 30kg bags after a shopping trip and it would sometimes involve a rental car to get me to the airport - I have even done this a number of times on the NYC subway system ;-)
The extra allowance is also useful if you are travelling with family, friends, etc because you can "share" your allowance with them

There's no denying more kg's is better, who doesn't want more things for nothing! though as others have mentioned on here, this change to weight probably benefits more people than it disadvantages and IMO more than adequate allowance even for us WP's (exceptions excepted)

 

[markis10]

I agree that the removal of the piece system will make some people happy, including myself in some cases, my issue is that it doesn't have to be at the expensive of so many kilograms - if there are lots of people not even using the kilograms I don't think Qantas had to be so ruthless with the cutbacks ?!?

They have gone back to the old system with more generous limits.

 

[qfp]

They have gone back to the old system with more generous limits.

Well I guess if you think it is MORE generous then they are pleasing some people - my way of thinking is that I can sometimes put multiple pieces into one bag but I can't ever make the bags weigh any less with the same amount of stuff to carry

And as I say, if not many people take advantage of the extra kilograms why not keep the kilogram limits a bit higher, still WITHOUT the piece system, and make everybody happy ?
Not everybody drinks alcohol at the club lounge but that doesn't mean that some people wouldn't be upset if they removed it ;-)
It doesn't have to be a this or that equation - they could actually satisfy both

 

[simongr]

I
For example, if you were Platimum Status and were to arrive at the airport with 96kg (previous allowance) for an Economy flight to/from Asia, you would be charged $1380 because (under the new system) you would be 46kg overweight !!!
Double that price for Europe and you are looking at $2760
Or, for example, if you were Platimum Status and were to arrive at the airport with 96kg (previous allowance) for a Business flight to/from Asia, you would be charged $2040 because (under the new system) you would be 68kg overweight !!!
Double that price for Europe and you are looking at $4080

But if you booked your flights before 26 Feb (ish) you get the old limit. So if you looked at your itinerary it would show you how much you have. If you book after 26 (ish) Feb your itinerary shows you your new allowance. No-one should be turning up to the airport unaware of the new limits. Especially not regular travellers.

 

[qfp]

But if you booked your flights before 26 Feb (ish) you get the old limit. So if you looked at your itinerary it would show you how much you have. If you book after 26 (ish) Feb your itinerary shows you your new allowance. No-one should be turning up to the airport unaware of the new limits. Especially not regular travellers.

The problem is that in some cases (not just mine) the bookings do NOT seem to show the total baggage limits clearly - My upcoming Shanghai trip tells me I am allowed 1 piece of baggage (I have since confirmed this is NOT the case)...

I was initially told by ticketing I would have to make a booking before I could even find out what my baggage limit would be - no chance of that happening !

I have called Ticketing, the Frequent Flyer program, and Customer Care and none of them were aware of the baggage limit changes and were surprised when I told them and spent a lot of time checking if it was true - this doesn't bode well for customers trying to get the correct information - hence my post - but I guess I should apologise for wasting people's time :-(

 

[mannej]

Well I guess if you think it is MORE generous then they are pleasing some people - my way of thinking is that I can sometimes put multiple pieces into one bag but I can't ever make the bags weigh any less with the same amount of stuff to carry

And as I say, if not many people take advantage of the extra kilograms why not keep the kilogram limits a bit higher, still WITHOUT the piece system, and make everybody happy ?
Not everybody drinks alcohol at the club lounge but that doesn't mean that some people wouldn't be upset if they removed it ;-)
It doesn't have to be a this or that equation - they could actually satisfy both

I think you have misunderstood the post.

I believe the allowances are more generous then what they were when QF were last using the weight system

 

[GDV 747-24/7]

Are you just angling for an A380 in BNE?

If we did see an A380 at BNE then perhaps QF would finally have to do something about the BNE Flounge!

 

[Ansett]

for what its worth

Both myslef and Mrs Ansett are not happy with this change as we do travel heavy sometimes when leaving Australia on QF bookings mainly due to taking items to people far less fortunate than ourselves. These items vary from Books, Pens and clothing to Coats and Blankets.

Seems we need to re-evaluate how we send this or perhaps reduce the amount of we take.

Utilising the larger baggage allowance is not always about selfishness as some may see it.

 

[simongr]

Is there an opportunity to speak to QF and ask for some form of dispensation given the charitable nature of your luggage?

 

[ajw373]

for what its worth

Both myslef and Mrs Ansett are not happy with this change as we do travel heavy sometimes when leaving Australia on QF bookings mainly due to taking items to people far less fortunate than ourselves. These items vary from Books, Pens and clothing to Coats and Blankets.

Seems we need to re-evaluate how we send this or perhaps reduce the amount of we take.

Utilising the larger baggage allowance is not always about selfishness as some may see it.

Out of interest what did you do 2-3 years ago under the older system of baggage allowance, which if I recall was not as 'generous' for most compared to the new system coming in?

 

[Ansett]

Out of interest what did you do 2-3 years ago under the older system of baggage allowance, which if I recall was not as 'generous' for most compared to the new system coming in?

We simpley took less so will have to revert to that as not prepared to run the gauntlet with or with out dispensation and be hit with ridiculous additional baggage charges.

Whilst we are not happy we understand that things change just wanted to high light that people using the baggage allowance is not always about themselves.

I often travel to london and back with only hand luggage so should I be getting a refund on my ticket at the excess baggage rates being charged for the Kilos that I did not take?

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

If we did see an A380 at BNE then perhaps QF would finally have to do something about the BNE Flounge!

As an ex-BNE dweller, I feel for you, but still think you're dreaming considering they can barely make F work ex-SYD and MEL.