British Airways Executive Club - Luggage [max weight]

Can anyone advise on whether there is a max weight now for luggage? Travelling CW LGW to BGI soon and would like to know if there are any in force regs.
Thanks.:)

26th November is the date for a heavy bag charge to be applied to all bags over 23kg - rate will be £25.

However, latest news is that passengers travelling in FIRST, CW and our Gold and Silver card holders will be exempt and still allowed up to 32kg. I'll try and find the thread and post it.

OK this is the thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=885953&highlight=allowance+baggage) where it says about the exemptions for premium pax.

Max weight per bag is 32 Kilos. Nothing over that weight may be checked into UK airports apparently.

Hi,

I think from the 26th November the max weight per case goes down to 23kg from 32kg per case.

You can pay £25 per case abover 23kg and below 32kg

Bags above 32kg will no longer be allowed.

Regards

TBS

26th November is the date for a heavy bag charge to be applied to all bags over 23kg - rate will be £25.

However, latest news is that passengers travelling in FIRST, CW and our Gold and Silver card holders will be exempt and still allowed up to 32kg. I'll try and find the thread and post it.

OK this is the thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=885953&highlight=allowance+baggage) where it says about the exemptions for premium pax.

I have not yet seen anything written on ba.com to confirm the exemption mentioned in the other thread, so it would be very useful if you (or anyone else from BA) could please confirm what instructions are being given to staff in this regard, as I am sure there will be some scenes at check in.....

Passengers in First, Club World and Club Europe and Gold/silver Exec Club members will not be charged for heavy bags.

additionally any passengers travelling on the same booking as a Gold/Silver member will not be charged either, however if on seperate bookings but travelling together, non gold/silver card holders will be charged.

krgds. :)

Is there something that can be printed out as proof to the staff member that I'm bound to encounter who'll want to charge me for being over? Not sure that "I read it on FlyerTalk" will carry much weight (if you'll pardon the pun).

Max

Is there something that can be printed out as proof to the staff member that I'm bound to encounter who'll want to charge me for being over? Not sure that "I read it on FlyerTalk" will carry much weight (if you'll pardon the pun).

Max

All of the desks in T5 have access to ba.com, so they can check the page at the time. That said if I see any more comms about the heavy charges I will go nuts so I dont think you will find many staff who do not know all about it. Although 32k is the limit there are certain items that can be allowed above this with prior notice, ie. TVs etc, again full details on ba.com.

All of the desks in T5 have access to ba.com, so they can check the page at the time.

Yes, but the relevant ba.com page (http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb) doesn't say anything about this exemption for F, Club, Gold and Silver pax. I think that's the point that others were making. I don't think any of us have seen any announcement from BA about this.

Yes, but the relevant ba.com page (http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb) doesn't say anything about this exemption for F, Club, Gold and Silver pax. I think that's the point that others were making. I don't think any of us have seen any announcement from BA about this.

Usual dog's dinner from BA on this one - how hard can it be to formulate a baggage policy, communicate it to customers AND staff and implement it. :rolleyes:

It is also a concern that, on the strength of what ba.com advises, FIRST, Club, Gold and Silver pax may well be pre-paying their "heavy bag" fee, when they need not.

It would be nice to see the actual policy posted on ba.com.

... Although 32k is the limit there are certain items that can be allowed above this with prior notice, ie. TVs etc, again full details on ba.com.

I'd heard the IFE was a little dodgy, but that's going a bit far !

... assuming of course you're talking about television sets :)

It is also a concern that, on the strength of what ba.com advises, FIRST, Club, Gold and Silver pax may well be pre-paying their "heavy bag" fee, when they need not.

It would be nice to see the actual policy posted on ba.com.

Sounds to me as if the new policy will be in force but they want to take a softly softly approach on it with the premium pax until the message gets across. I doubt if they will advertise the "we will continue to turn a blind eye" to those going over the 23kg limit for the time being.

I'd look on it as a bonus for FT members and those in the know.

Could not have put it better! well said...

Sounds to me as if the new policy will be in force but they want to take a softly softly approach on it with the premium pax until the message gets across.

But isn't that what has supposed to have been happening for the past xx months, since they delayed the last implementation? :confused:

But isn't that what has supposed to have been happening for the past xx months, since they delayed the last implementation? :confused:

No, this is phase 2 kicking in - plebs are not included.

Phase TWO? No, BA has been screwing around with this now since July 2006, almost 28 months ago. This is perhaps phase 22, with lots happening in the meantime, BA lying to their staff and passengers to push their agenda. Ba trying to signal collusion throughout the industry on this matter (and reversing after getting slapped with price fixing on something else) several announced and abandoned dates and plans.

In short it was perhaps the worst thoughtout and implemented change of baggage policy in the history of aviation, less well known bease of all of the greater (and worse) cock-ups that BA has encountered during this time period.

What I find funny though is that if you go back to the beginning of this madness BA has instituted EXACTLY the same policy as myself and some others tabled over two years ago!

Although 32k is the limit there are certain items that can be allowed above this with prior notice, ie. TVs etc, again full details on ba.com.

I think this is a pretty shoddy way of treating your TVs, no matter how many you feel the need to travel with. Considering the pleasure they presumably give you, the least you could do is to buy them a proper ticket. They might also introduce some much-needed glamour into the cabin.

Thanks to all for your contributions. So I think the concensus of opinion is that as I'm travelling CW I can take the chance??? The wife has just bought what looks like a trunk to me but she assures me it is a 28" case! What to do. I think the tumbe dryer just about fits in it....just don't want to be checking in and find she has to leave half our belongings at the CW checkin at Gatwick, very un-cool..... :eek:

Hi,
As long as it is not more than 32kg you should be ok.

It could be interesting at some of the outstations ( non BA staff) unless they get specifcally told to waive charges for weights between 23kg and 32kg for F CW, Gold & silver pax.:rolleyes:

( I agree with other posters that an official announcment on BA com would be useful)

Regards

TBS

There's not been much said so far to the LGW staff but I'll try and get some clear clarification in the next few days and send you a PM.

TBS - when I came back from the US recently the staff there, who are BA employed reminded me quite clearly about 26th November and the 23kg. I was in CW and a silver card holder (and staff come to that). Think the outstations (ie. anywhere away from LHR) need to be formally advised.

Hi,

I think from the 26th November the max weight per case goes down to 23kg from 32kg per case.

You can pay £25 per case abover 23kg and below 32kg

Bags above 32kg will no longer be allowed.

Regards

TBS

I'll be testing this theory, I'll be flying J soon and will be carrying the maximum possible for ACC, 3 x bags. So about this blind eye thing, could I push it at check in and check in bags >23kg and <32kg each?

I'll be testing this theory, I'll be flying J soon and will be carrying the maximum possible for ACC, 3 x bags. So about this blind eye thing, could I push it at check in and check in bags >23kg and <32kg each?

Hi,

That's the theory.

If they do not turn a blind eye ( after 26th Nov) then it could be £25 per bag (£75 in total)

Regards

TBS

Hi,

That's the theory.

If they do not turn a blind eye ( after 26th Nov) then it could be £25 per bag (£75 in total)

Regards

TBS

Outbound is before 26th, I forgot I can take up to 23kg for my carry on, so in all I can carry 119kg. Now that is good.

I have just had this confirmed by check-in desk at IAH.

Golds / silvers & premium pax have the limit waived.^

I think this is a pretty shoddy way of treating your TVs, no matter how many you feel the need to travel with. Considering the pleasure they presumably give you, the least you could do is to buy them a proper ticket. They might also introduce some much-needed glamour into the cabin.

And don't forget the stoves and the kitchen sinks, especially those travelling to W Africa. They deserve some consideration as well!

And don't forget the stoves and the kitchen sinks, especially those travelling to W Africa. They deserve some consideration as well!

I'm actually taking one of these - http://www.yorkfitness.com/Standard-Plates-item-531/Aerobic-Disc-and-Collar-Set.html and one of these http://www.yorkfitness.com/Standard-Bars-and-Collars-item-532/Aerobic-Bar.html - I should be ok for the bar as it's under the 62 inch length rule. Plus a load of food... all for my wife .... things you do for love....

And don't forget the stoves and the kitchen sinks, especially those travelling to W Africa. They deserve some consideration as well!

How do you know about that sort of thing? Is that a memory from your Blue days?

The last time I was flying WTP (except I wasn't because I got op-upped, but that's not the point), from T4 about four years ago, I was behind a huge line of people checking in for the Delhi flight. Many of them had trolleys laden with old cardboard boxes tied up with fraying shoelaces. I guess that is a smilar phenomenon. I never see that sort of thing these days, and I suspect neither do you ^.

I was just checking the website and it says that from 26th nov if you exceed 23 kg you will have to pay £25 . I am a bit confused as somewhere else it says that this comes into force in nov ?

We are currenly around 24 kg -just wondered whether we should take stuff out -mind you the house scales are not very accurate ?

I was just checking the website and it says that from 26th nov if you exceed 23 kg you will have to pay £25 . I am a bit confused as somewhere else it says that this comes into force in nov ?

We are currenly around 24 kg -just wondered whether we should take stuff out -mind you the house scales are not very accurate ?

Confused? How come?

What class are you travelling in?

Confused? How come?

What class are you travelling in?

I was just checking the website and it says that from 26th nov if you exceed 23 kg you will have to pay £25 . I am a bit confused as somewhere else it says that this comes into force in nov ?

The OP seems confused that the 26th November is in November :D

The OP seems confused that the 26th November is in November :D

Yes, I was confused just reading it. :confused: :D

The OP seems confused that the 26th November is in November :D

You mean you didn't know November was just before December :confused:;)

You mean you didn't know November was just before December :confused:;)

Or indeed after October (most of the time!). :):D;)

Oh no the wife's been reading this thread and now she's panicking!!! She desperately wants to take her new designer suitcase (probably won't survive any better than the last one;) ) but is worried about the weight!

Would you kind souls who are frequent travellers keep me informed on this....
Thanks - you'll be helping out one very frazzled husband who will need this holiday by the time we get through check-in...

Just checked in this morning to BCN -club with 24 kg bag no probs what so ever ,the check in staff in T1were very friendly and asleep !

Thanks for that. Any experiences of the luggage situation with people flying out of Gatwick long haul would be appreciated - especially to Barbados!
;)

Travelling in J, I've managed to check in 2 x 28kg bags, no problems.

The new weight limit of 23kgs (with payment demanded for bags greater than that up to 32kgs) doesn't come in until 26 November. :confused:

Thanks for that. Any experiences of the luggage situation with people flying out of Gatwick long haul would be appreciated - especially to Barbados!;)

HiTravelling Man
The LGW staff have all now been informed that those travelling in F or CW will be allowed up to 32kg even though the 23kg is going to be strictly applied for other cabins.
This will also be applicable to Gold and Silver card holders, though I have heard not the oneworld equivalents. (Please don't shoot the messenger - I'm only saying what I've been told!)

My understanding is that it won't be published as of yet as we still want to encourage ALL passengers to keep to as close as 23kg as possible.

I flew in World Traveller with 31.5kg last week and they didn't bat an eyelid!

I flew in World Traveller with 31.5kg last week and they didn't bat an eyelid!


Maybe that is because it was before 26 November. :rolleyes:

What happens if someone traveled outbound in WT in October and their return is not until 2nd December and the bags weigh more than 23 kg each? Will BA waive the excess £25 fee?

What happens if someone traveled outbound in WT in October and their return is not until 2nd December and the bags weigh more than 23 kg each? Will BA waive the excess £25 fee?

Probably not as the information has been on ba.com for some months now so they will take it as you knew about the pending changes before you took your outbound flight.

PS - and they could also say that the luggage allowance has actually been 23kg for about 18 months or more now. We're just stopping the leeway we'd allowed for that time. Sorry

Sunrisegirl - you're an absolute treasure ^ and have made my wife a very happy woman - so in turn you have made me a very happy man;)

She can take her new designer case and will not have to show at check -in just how many shoes, handbags and other things that she doesn't need in Barbados to all and sundry!!! Owwhhhh!!!! That was the wife hitting me over the head reading my email!

All I pray is that the check-in staff at CW stick to this unwritten rule and I'll do my best to make sure she leaves the tumble dryer at home :p

She can take her new designer case and will not have to show at check -in just how many shoes, handbags and other things that she doesn't need in Barbados to all and sundry!!!

Forgive the obvious question but isn't it a bit daft to check in a designer (which presumably means expensive) case given the way luggage is thrown around, not to mention the added attraction it must be for those less than honest baggage handlers that can be found all over the world?

I recently meet a couple who retrieved 4 pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage in ANU, much to my amazement!! I can just about understand it when it's hand luggage where you can keep an eye on it but even that's a risk sometimes as you can see from this thread in the VS forum:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=890674

the trouble with unwritten rules is that you may be the unlucky one who gets charged for excess baggage at check-in. my scenario is that when we go to the US on holiday we prefer to come back with 2 cases each that approach the current 32kg weight per bag ....do we risk in the future putting it in 2 bags or go for the safe option of spreading it among 3 bags each ? i would suggest it would be better all round if we went for the 2 bag policy, but that's not what the rules say.
i've had baggage problems with a certain US airline who have a glitch on their system where even written authority from their head office seems hard for the check-in agent to get their heads around.

Forgive the obvious question but isn't it a bit daft to check in a designer (which presumably means expensive) case given the way luggage is thrown around, not to mention the added attraction it must be for those less than honest baggage handlers that can be found all over the world?

I recently meet a couple who retrieved 4 pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage in ANU, much to my amazement!! I can just about understand it when it's hand luggage where you can keep an eye on it but even that's a risk sometimes as you can see from this thread in the VS forum:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=890674

Designer suitcase from TK Maxx need I say more???? She needed a new one and chose one from there. If it gets damaged it gets damaged - knowing BA they'll lose it - just like they did with mine in Denver this July. Nothing is cast in stone is it...:)

Has anyone checked in a bag > 23Kg yet ??!

I OLCIed my brother-in-law last night for BA284 SFO-LHR leaving today (02 December 2008) and his boarding pass and also the itinerary from ba.com show checked baggage allowance as 3 Bags (Not to exceed 23 kg/51 lbs).
This is a WT ticket and he does not have any status in BAEC. It is difficult to reproduce the boarding pass in the right format, but I have copied and pasted the text. I have also edited the Seat no. and booking reference.

e-ticket - no coupon
Flight
BA0284
Seat
30xxx
Date
02 December
Gate closes at
15:55
Departure time
16:15
From
SAN FRANCISCO
INTERNATIONAL
Terminal I
To
HEATHROW (LONDON)
Terminal 5

YOUR FLIGHT DETAILS
Booking Reference
3VWWWW
Operating Airline
British Airways
Class of travel
World Traveller
Hand baggage allowance
Please see ba.com
Checked baggage allowance
3bags (No bag to exceed 23kg/51lbs)

I checked in a bag on Monday at Gatwick to Manchester, 24.6kg. Not queried at all. I'm a gold card holder.

Fingers crossed that will hold for the next legs, as tomorrow it's MAN LHR DXB with exactly the same bag / contents (it's been sitting unopened in my Manchester hotel room).

worried about MAN possibly being hit by snow problems tomorrow, I changed my flight and flew back to LGW tonight. Bag was 27.1 kg, and not an eyelid batted. This could have been due to the gold card, or to the fact that traffic problems in Manchester meant I was dropping bags off at T-20, and they wanted to get me to the gate asap.

So... no issue with the overweight bag being accepted. However, it didn't arrive at LGW... Fingers crossed for it being delivered to me tomorrow, as all my stuff for the UAE trip is in it...!

I OLCIed my brother-in-law last night for BA284 SFO-LHR leaving today (02 December 2008) and his boarding pass and also the itinerary from ba.com show checked baggage allowance as 3 Bags (Not to exceed 23 kg/51 lbs).
This is a WT ticket and he does not have any status in BAEC.

Are there any legs to his itinerary in higher classes, or on other airlines (on the same ticket)? If so, he gets the highest allowance. If not it sounds like a mistake.

Incidentally status does not affect baggage allowance, apart from (allegedly) the >23kg fee.

So... no issue with the overweight bag being accepted. However, it didn't arrive at LGW... Fingers crossed for it being delivered to me tomorrow, as all my stuff for the UAE trip is in it...!

Bags up to 32kg will continue to be allowed for First, CW and Gold & Silver card holders, but not their oneword equivalents. All BA staff are aware of the rules now.

If you arrived at T-20 I doubt there'd be sufficient time for the bag to make the flight. It would be touch and go at LGW, not sure how MAN is set up. In that case it should be sent on the first flight in the morning. Did you speak to Baggage Services in the Arrivals hall? They can chase it up for you.

(Please don't shoot the messenger - I'm only saying what I've been told!)

My understanding is that it won't be published as of yet as we still want to encourage ALL passengers to keep to as close as 23kg as possible.

I'm not shooting the messenger - this is in no sense your fault - but having a secret policy like this is just a recipe for confusion and error. Inevitably some agents somewhere will not know, and directing them to FlyerTalk is hardly going to convince them. And without seeing the policy in black and Wwhite, even "in the know" FlyerTalkers don't know what it really means; does the waiver, for example, apply to all legs of a journey when just one leg is in CW or F?

Probably not as the information has been on ba.com for some months now so they will take it as you knew about the pending changes before you took your outbound flight.

Pretty much exactly twelve months as I recall. I remember when the £25 charge was finally announced (after months of amiguity), and it was clearly timed so as not to affect any tickets which had already been issued.

Bags up to 32kg will continue to be allowed for First, CW and Gold & Silver card holders, but not their oneword equivalents. All BA staff are aware of the rules now.

If you arrived at T-20 I doubt there'd be sufficient time for the bag to make the flight. It would be touch and go at LGW, not sure how MAN is set up. In that case it should be sent on the first flight in the morning. Did you speak to Baggage Services in the Arrivals hall? They can chase it up for you.

Where does it say that the charge for F pax will be waived for bags 23kg up to 32kg. When I go to "Manage My Booking" on a F ticket is say the maximum allowance per bag is 23kg?

My son travelled yesterday to gig wt cabin no status...he had only 1 piece of checked luggage but as this weighed 31.5 kg I suggested he repack into 2 smaller bags to avoid heavy bag charge of gbp25.00... he decided that he would rather pay up than lug 2 bags around . He checked in online and proceeded to bag drop t5 expecting to have to cough up gbp25.....to his delight nothing was said and he has now arrived in rio...as has his v heavy bag! Result! as he would say..

My son travelled yesterday to gig wt cabin no status...he had only 1 piece of checked luggage but as this weighed 31.5 kg
Pushing his luck a bit if the scales aren't very accurate and it's over 32kg - I hope he had some space in his hand baggage for that eventuality.


I suggested he repack into 2 smaller bags to avoid heavy bag charge of gbp25.00... he decided that he would rather pay up than lug 2 bags around?
Very understandable.

he has now arrived in rio...

You know where LeisureFirst's envy switch is, don't you? Ahh, the very thought of it. I won't be there until February this winter. :(

IME BA has one of the best luggage allowances in the industry provided you are in J or above. When moving to Aus from the UK I chose to fly BA over QF despite being QF Platinum (extra 15Kg) mostly because of the luggage allowance ... at the time it was 3 bags 32 Kg so got over 90Kg of luggage. On Qf even with my extra it was 55Kg. Even now it is reduced to 23Kg is it still close to 70Kg wich is better than almost anyone else. In economy of course it is different ....

IME BA has one of the best luggage allowances in the industry provided you are in J or above.

Absolutely correct.

I was amazed how stingy other airlines are even when travelling in F.

I was amazed how stingy other airlines are even when travelling in F.

But if you are in F, unless you really take the p!ss, and none of your bags is over 32kgs, any notional limit is likely to be waived.

But if you are in F, unless you really take the p!ss, and none of your bags is over 32kgs, any notional limit is likely to be waived.

Mmmm I'll take your word on that and get back to you after the trip with the bill. :D

But if you are in F, unless you really take the p!ss, and none of your bags is over 32kgs, any notional limit is likely to be waived.

Not a technique that I would tend to employ. At GBP75 to take 96Kg on BA it is v good value to Oz. At ( iirc ) GBP25 per Kg for excess rates on others, even if they waive some of it , they excesses would be a lot. I doubt that many carriers would waive 56Kg of excess.

On top of that I can take another piece for diving gear so without any risk of fees can get to 92Kg

I think that the BA allowances must be around the most generous going for premium cabins

Dave

Not a technique that I would tend to employ. At GBP75 to take 96Kg on BA it is v good value to Oz. At ( iirc ) GBP25 per Kg for excess rates on others, even if they waive some of it , they excesses would be a lot. I doubt that many carriers would waive 56Kg of excess.

On top of that I can take another piece for diving gear so without any risk of fees can get to 92Kg

I think that the BA allowances must be around the most generous going for premium cabins

There's no substitute for experience Dave. ;)

As an F pax on BA, you can take 96kgs without charge.

When flying F on the weight (rather than piece) system, I have never had any problem getting 64kgs (i.e. 2 x 32kgs) against an allowance of 40kgs on QF, SQ, CX. YMMV.

Bags up to 32kg will continue to be allowed for First, CW and Gold & Silver card holders, but not their oneword equivalents. All BA staff are aware of the rules now.

Thanks sunrisegirl.

I am currently in balmy Moscow (warmer than London!) with a suitcase that exceeded 23kg on my pre-26 November departure.

I shall be interested to see how BA at DME deal with this issue on my return...

My son travelled yesterday to gig wt cabin no status...he had only 1 piece of checked luggage but as this weighed 31.5 kg I suggested he repack into 2 smaller bags to avoid heavy bag charge of gbp25.00... he decided that he would rather pay up than lug 2 bags around . He checked in online and proceeded to bag drop t5 expecting to have to cough up gbp25.....to his delight nothing was said and he has now arrived in rio...as has his v heavy bag! Result! as he would say..

The charge does not apply to Brazil due to govt rules.

There's no substitute for experience Dave. ;)

As an F pax on BA, you can take 96kgs without charge.

When flying F on the weight (rather than piece) system, I have never had any problem getting 64kgs (i.e. 2 x 32kgs) against an allowance of 40kgs on QF, SQ, CX. YMMV.

I haven't seen anything official to state that the overweight fee is waived for F, so was basing on the published amounts. 4 * 32 ( given extra piece for diving ) gives an allowance of 128Kg which is amazing

60Kg is about the limit that EK was prepared to allow without charge

QF is, from what I can tell, starting to crack down on excess baggage and I wouldnt rely on continuing to get away with that much extra on QF

Dave

Hi

Does anyone have any experience of taking above 23kgs (but less than 32kgs) in one bag.

BA advertise that there is a £25 charge for this, but no reference to when this is applied. MMB will only allow me to buy an extra bag (at a cost of £72).

The relevant piece of BA.com states

British Airways has a limit of 23kg (51lbs) for any single checked bag as part of your free baggage allowance.

We understand that there are times when you will need to exceed this limit. Therefore, a flat fee of £25 GBP will be applied to bags weighing more than 23kg (51lbs). This charge is to cover the additional handling that bags weighing over 23kg (51lbs) can attract.

Please note that we will not accept a bag heavier than 32kg (70lbs) as checked baggage.

But doesn't elaborate. Will they just charge it at checkin? Is there any way I can pay it in advance?

I do believe as a Silver, the extra is unofficially being waived. Will find that thread and merge yours on there....

As a Silver/Gold/Premium cabin pax, it should be waived according to staff posts on here ^ Though I have yet to see a public, 'official' declaration to that effect.

Passengers travelling in First, CW and CE are exempt, as are BA Gold and Silver card holders (but not their oneworld equivalents).
Staff at both LHR and LGW are fully aware of the rules.

Jolly good. Thanks guys! I fully expect to have to indulge in some DYKWIA at the CW checkin desk (even though travelling Y) but seeing as I have a criminally pathetic CIV score, will revel in the opportunity...

Reading this thread I find it hard to believe that anyone who is travelling F or CW, or is Gold or Silver, really gives a toss whether BA levies a GBP25 charge at check-in for a bag that is between 23 and 32 kg.

If you can afford to be in any of the above four categories surely a GBP25 per bag surcharge isn't going to put too much of a strain on your finances? :rolleyes:

Reading this thread I find it hard to believe that anyone who is travelling F or CW, or is Gold or Silver, really gives a toss whether BA levies a GBP25 charge at check-in for a bag that is between 23 and 32 kg.

If you can afford to be in any of the above four categories surely a GBP25 per bag surcharge isn't going to put too much of a strain on your finances? :rolleyes:

I think the other side of the coin is...if you've paid "a lot" of money for your premium ticket and/or many tickets to get status, being nickle-and-dimed for a checked bag when you get to the airport feels really rather distasteful and petty. *Awaits people moaning that not being able to select a seat on premium ticket is distasteful and petty too* :D

Reading this thread I find it hard to believe that anyone who is travelling F or CW, or is Gold or Silver, really gives a toss whether BA levies a GBP25 charge at check-in for a bag that is between 23 and 32 kg.

If you can afford to be in any of the above four categories surely a GBP25 per bag surcharge isn't going to put too much of a strain on your finances? :rolleyes:

Most FT'ers are quite a stingy lot I would say.

I was amazed how stingy other airlines are even when travelling in F.But if you are in F, unless you really take the p!ss, and none of your bags is over 32kgs, any notional limit is likely to be waived.
This has certainly not been my experience on AA. L/H paid 3-cabin F and I'd say they've been pretty consistent in collecting the additional for 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg) and certainly in charging for a 3rd bag - and this includes itineraries that also had BA legs in F where the allowance for those legs was 3 x 32 at the time.

There have also been times when they've happily let something slide (like the weight on one bag, or if I want to check 3 bags and one of them is over 50lbs, they might not assess both fees...) but there have been more times when they've been quite by-the-book, on occasion even somewhat apologetic that they were not being given any leeway by management and I should write the airline as a high-value paid-F customer who didn't like the tighter baggage restrictions...

Here is a cheap 40kg pocket scales (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18014) that could be handy to carry and wieghs under 4oz and costs £5 shipped!

Here is a cheap 40kg pocket scales (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18014) that could be handy to carry and wieghs under 4oz and costs £5 shipped!

I see it falling to pieces during the first weigh in. :D

Get a set of fisherman's scales the ones used for weighing pike and salmon. I have used them many times when weighing my many 40+lb fish and they stood up well..........fishermen don't lie you know. ;)

The last time I flew BA was in March 08 from LHR-SYD in F.

Back then I don't believe the 23kg per bag (began 28NOV?) was in place for passengers flying F as I remember them limiting me to 2 x 30kgs.

On BA.COM it states each of the 3 bags allowed can not exceed 23kgs otherwise a £25 fee is charged. One of bags alone weigh 8kgs empty (bloody samsonite).

I'm flying LHR-HKG BA F then HKG-SYD J. (Big trip report on it's way too - first for me).

What's your experiences lately on BA F Luggage allowance (cabin and checked)? Are they enforcing this?

Cheers,
FCL

Hi,

I understand from posts here on FT that Premium Pax ( F/CW & gold/silver card holders)are allowed 32kg ( and that staff have been advised).

I have not seen a post here saying that pax were charged the £25 for bags between 23kg and 32kg.

Regards

TBS

Hi,

I understand from posts here on FT that Premium Pax ( F/CW & gold/silver card holders)are allowed 32kg ( and that staff have been advised).

I have not seen a post here saying that pax were charged the £25 for bags between 23kg and 32kg.

Regards

TBS

I'm now Silver EC member...psh!

These are the links I refer to on BA.COM:

Check luggage (£25 fee exceeding 23kgs)
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb

Hand luggage
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagcabin/public/en_gb

So you don't reckon they will uphold the above rules set from 28th Nov?

***(EDIT) oops just found this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=885953&highlight=allowance+baggage

i had a friend who was 3k over the 23kg limit. he was asked to pay the excess fee of some 300sek i guess £25

I took three full bags with me in July, one of which was a golf 'coffin' and was about 25kg. Agent didn't bat an eyelid ex-LHR. Was big enough not to go down the chute like my other bags. Someone had to come and retrieve it, can't remember where they took it but it arrived in one piece ;)

i had a friend who was 3k over the 23kg limit. he was asked to pay the excess fee of some 300sek i guess £25

Was your friend in F/J or Silver/Gold??

I've asked everywhere in the last month or so and everyone knows the fee is waived for premium pax.

Had no issues with my bags over 23-kg from LHR in First and even from Gatwick in Club Europe.

Was your friend in F/J or Silver/Gold??

He was non-status travelling ET. ARN > LHR

He came and told the rest of the party travelling after bag drop, stupid thing was we could have pooled the space in our bags with space ... but every bag had been checked and gone.

Previously in LAX>LHR my friend a silver travelling in CW was waved along with a 28kg bag.

He was non-status travelling ET. ARN > LHR. He came and told the rest of the party travelling after bag drop, stupid thing was we could have pooled the space in our bags with space ... but every bag had been checked and gone.

Previously in LAX>LHR my friend a silver travelling in CW was waved along with a 28kg bag.

That's why he was charged. We are charging everyone who has a bag between 23kg and 32kg who is not travelling in a premium cabin, and who is not a gold or silver card holder. (your friend was both a CW pax and silver card holder, hence why no charge).

If people are travelling together we always suggest taking items out of the heavier bag and put it in one which is lighter, or take it as hand luggage. We really do try and work things out with passengers before charging them.

Have to say it's been great fun (:rolleyes:) trying to get the KIN passengers to cut their bag weight - they had trouble sticking to the 32kg, let alone 23kg. I'm sure my colleagues at LHR are having similar fun with the LOS flights ;)

I don't have an issue with it, rules is rules and all that.

Here is a cheap 40kg pocket scales (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18014) that could be handy to carry and wieghs under 4oz and costs £5 shipped!

I am delighted to see that they come with a Neck Strap! That sounds reaaaally comfy...

Wonder whether they sell them in specialised SoHo shops as well - then I can bring one along to the Christmas Do to have them tested by the FT BA EC crew! :D

On BA.COM it states each of the 3 bags allowed can not exceed 23kgs otherwise a £25 fee is charged. One of bags alone weigh 8kgs empty (bloody samsonite).

Pah! That's nothing. That still leaves 15kg of actual stuff. Try travelling on TAM now they've changed their hand luggage limit to 5kg (yes, FIVE) - less than the weight of my bag plus laptop.

My last two journeys on TAM did involve a lot of shuffling around of stuff to the hand luggage of a Brazilian friend, as well as arguing with them and getting away with about 8kg. But this really is a luggage policy which is causing me to switch airline allegiance - other Brazilian airlines appear to have a similar rule, but reports suggest it is not enforced. I'm also looking into flying non-commercial for short Brazilian domestic flights - although only a reasonable option if travelling with one or two others.

In contrast, BA seems to have pretty much the most generous hand luggage policy one can find anywhere.

Yesterday at DME: three of us over 23kg and travelling in Y (:(). My two Blue card colleagues were charged £25 and I was charged nothing.

There was a brief conversation between the check in lady and her colleague, which may have been about waiving the fee, although I did not understand what she said.

Are there any more data points for the regions? I'm connecting NCL-LHR-BOS next week, with the LHR-BOS portion in F, and I may be a few kgs over 23kg. However, I am a little sceptical that the staff at NCL will be clued up as far as waiving the charge (as I believe I should get the allowance for the most generous sector for the whole journey). I'm not that bothered about paying the £25, but it seems a bit silly to do so if it's not required.

I just checked ba.com again and it seems that there is still not ref to the "extra" allowance for J/F so I can't print anything to take with me.

Hi All from a beautiful sunny Barbados! Sorry! :) just had to rub it in especially after reading today's post about fog at LHR. So why am I posting you may ask if I'm on holiday? Well just checking out the departures from Manchester in order to pick up family! No fog in Manchester! Virgin Atlantic taken off on time...

Anyway back to my posting - left LGW last week Monday 8 to be exact in CW no probs with the weight of luggage whatsoever - casually mentioned to the check-in guy about the luggage weight and he said as long as it's a good bit below 32kg...I think the wife's case was around 28kg if I remember rightly watching the scales and the other two cases hovered around 25kg. So no worries there..Also fantastic flight, wonderful attentive cabin crew and good food...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all! Hope the fog clears...
^

On Saturday CPT-LHR in F, 3 bags all 30-31kg, no hint of any charge (would be a shame to leave without a few cases on wine on board) :)

I am taking some books for a childrens charity in CPT, and I expect this to take all my bags to 32kg. Do you think a letter in advance, maybe copying the communication with the charity might allow waiving the fees?

Jimbob247 - hopefully the thread I've merged yours into will answer your question - shouldn't be a problem :)

Hi,

I was checking in at EDI for my flight to LHR and my case was 24.2kg

The Aviance checkin agent said at first thant my case was overweight but as I started to mention " I thought that..." he mentioned " Sorry, I see you are a gold card hoder. There is no charge" before I could say " Gold card holders did not get charged"

Lounge here in EDI is dead quiet.

Happy New Year!:D

Regards

TBS

Forgot to add my data point: Dec 20, travelling Y, Silver, checkin at the Club desks at T5 with a 26.5kg didn't result in a charge.

The gate agent was a bit funny though, she seemed to suggest she was making an exception based on my card for the overweight bag. If I were BA I'd be spinning this as a positive benefit for their better customers - an extra 9kgs luggage allowance when travelling Y is not to be sniffed at.

Got back from my Chrimbo flying to and from Munich and can report to say not a problem flying CE with two bags at 28kg.
Maybe the huge amount of luggage we had put the checkin staff off the scent. 4 suitcases, snowboard bag, ski bag and ski boots plus a carry on bag.

I told the Mrs we're only going for a week!

Pleased to say the "priority tags" also worked at both ends

I've yet to see priority tags work at LHR since T5 opened, anyone in the same boat?

I've yet to see priority tags work at LHR since T5 opened, anyone in the same boat?

I had priority tags on when I returned from the US in October and my bags were 3rd, 4th and 5th on the carousel. I was travelling in CW though.

But, the priority tags don't really do anything. The bar code on the destination baggage tag is what tells the loading staff that you're travelling in a premium cabin and you bags should be loaded accordingly.

So many people leave on old priority tags now that everybody's bag would come up first if we paid attention to that. Everyone wants a priority tag, but if the bar code doesn't confirm you're in a premium cabin than you may as well not have one. We don't even use them at LGW

Bags up to 32kg will continue to be allowed for First, CW and Gold & Silver card holders, but not their oneword equivalents. All BA staff are aware of the rules now.

Here's a tricky one:- Travelling in F to MEX then onwards internally to MID on Mexicana in Y. There's usually no trouble checking bags through all the way as you can clear customs in MID. I'm hoping to bubble-wrap & take two loudspeakers each weighing 30 kilos...and I'm just wondering what happens when MX see these heavy items - ie. does one's 32k privilege run out of steam at MEX when the bags leave BA for transfer?

Here's a tricky one:- Travelling in F to MEX then onwards internally to MID on Mexicana in Y. There's usually no trouble checking bags through all the way as you can clear customs in MID. I'm hoping to bubble-wrap & take two loudspeakers each weighing 30 kilos...and I'm just wondering what happens when MX see these heavy items - ie. does one's 32k privilege run out of steam at MEX when the bags leave BA for transfer?

I always believed that the luggage allowance of the airline you are checking in with first is what counts when interlining bags.Assuming it's all on one ticket that is.

I always believed that the luggage allowance of the airline you are checking in with first is what counts when interlining bags.Assuming it's all on one ticket that is.

True - but the luggage allowance currently states 23kg on the ticket.

I would guess that BA can waive this limit on the outbound, so your bags make it all the way through without additional fees - but on the way back, you're stuck with the 23kg limit per bag. Why on earth don't make 32kg the published limit for C/F passengers if this really is the limit?

Hi anymore news on this , im travelling CE and i know my bag will be over 23kg will i be charged?

AFAIK you wont be charged up to 32kg if you are in J. I came back from HKG last week with a bag at 26kg, no problems as I was in J.

My advice for this is to take a lightweight rucksack or something in your case and fill it with stuff, load it into the case at the top. When you get to check in, if you are overweight (I mean the baggage), you can take out the rucksack you prepared earlier and check it separately.

I need some help here -we are travelling WT+ and coming back ET from as there was no WT+ on the way back on our open jaw ticket .
My question is the ticket says we are allowed the 2 suitcases each which is the WT+ allowance on both legs -Is this right as we are travelling Euro traveller on the way back ?

I need some help here -we are travelling WT+ and coming back ET

Going out long-haul and coming back short-haul is rather unusual. Expecting some serious continental drift while you're away? :D

My question is the ticket says we are allowed the 2 suitcases each which is the WT+ allowance on both legs -Is this right as we are travelling Euro traveller on the way back ?

It is quite correct. As long as it is all on the same ticket and on BA flights, you get the highest baggage allowance.

One thing that has never been made clear to me, despite asking the BA lurkers on here more than once, is whether the same principle applies to the 32kg limit. This wouldn't affect you anyway (the waiver of the extra charge for luggage between 23kg and 32kg doesn't apply to WTP), nor is it going to affect me at least for two years, but I'm still curious about it.

[QUOTE=LeisureFirst;11500301]Going out long-haul and coming back short-haul is rather unusual. Expecting some serious continental drift while you're away? :D



Yes we are going on a cruise- many thanks for your input .The Mrs is even more pleased as can pack the "kitchen sink":D

One thing that has never been made clear to me, despite asking the BA lurkers on here more than once, is whether the same principle applies to the 32kg limit. This wouldn't affect you anyway (the waiver of the extra charge for luggage between 23kg and 32kg doesn't apply to WTP), nor is it going to affect me at least for two years, but I'm still curious about it.

Why, what's happening in two years?