Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - Virgin blue luggage screwjob in sydney

Connected today from UA 839 to a Virgin Blue flight to Cairns, Australia in Sydney. UA "interlined" my luggage from the UA flight to DJ on the luggage tag and confirmed that they had interlining agreement with DJ.

On arrival in SYD, took my luggage from customs to the Virgin Blue "connection" counter. They then proceeded to charge me $15 to interline, plus $120 for "overweight" (they claim their limit is one bag at 23kg, I had two for a total of 30kg).

It's no wonder tourists shun Australia. This is a shocking ripoff.

It's no wonder tourists shun Australia.

I haven't noticed this happening.

Between the weighing of carry ons and out of control checked bag fees, it is getting to the point where one shouldn't bother bringing any clothes. For $135 USD, I can buy all the clothes I need in Cairns (the place is really just a giant strip mall) - T-shorts and shorts will do it, and have enough left over for dinner.

It's no wonder tourists shun Australia. This is a shocking ripoff.

Were all the flights booked on a single itinerary? I haven't found that tourists shun Australia. I did my 14th trip over this year for OzFest and quite a few U.S. FTers were there, too.

(they claim their limit is one bag at 23kg, I had two for a total of 30kg).

23kg is their limit and it's posted on their website. The exception is 32kg for corporate plus or premium economy.

http://www.virginblue.com.au/Personal/Flightinfo/BeforeYouFly/Baggagedangerousgoods/Baggage/Baggageallowanceexcessbaggage/index.htm

(they claim their limit is one bag at 23kg, I had two for a total of 30kg).

Looks like that's what's on their website. If you're on a corporate plus or premium economy fare you get 32kg.
http://www.virginblue.com.au/Personal/Flightinfo/BeforeYouFly/Baggagedangerousgoods/Baggage/Baggageallowanceexcessbaggage/index.htm

On arrival in SYD, took my luggage from customs to the Virgin Blue "connection" counter. They then proceeded to charge me $15 to interline, plus $120 for "overweight" (they claim their limit is one bag at 23kg, I had two for a total of 30kg).


I admittedly don't know much about interlining bags (I rarely check them), but I would be pretty upset about this as well.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure interline agreements have anything to do with the ridiculous fees that DJ is assessing.

On arrival in SYD, took my luggage from customs to the Virgin Blue "connection" counter. They then proceeded to charge me $15 to interline, plus $120 for "overweight" (they claim their limit is one bag at 23kg, I had two for a total of 30kg).

And you weren't able to carry-on one of these bags to get within the limit or were you bringing two 26" bags? I fail to see how this is a UA problem, yet this is in the UA forum, maybe it should be moved. Also, why didn't you check the Virgin Blue baggage fees before flying? It's on their website and the extra 7kg should have cost $70 AUD according to their website and looks like it's based on the weight. This certainly sucks for you, but it isn't UAs problem. The problem is between the OP and Virgin Blue.

What has ANY of this got to do with Virgin Atlantic?

Nick

Very good point Nick.

While I appreciate the OP's pain, I think I'll let him vent it in a more appropriate forum :)

Jenbel
Co-moderator, Virgin Flying Club.

Connected today from UA 839 to a Virgin Blue flight to Cairns, Australia in Sydney. UA "interlined" my luggage from the UA flight to DJ on the luggage tag and confirmed that they had interlining agreement with DJ.
.

Just becuase UA tag the bags does not mean you bought an interline ticket.

Did you have 1 single through connecting ticket from UA or did you book the Virgin flight seperately? If you booked it seperately then UA was in the wrong to tag through.


They then proceeded to charge me $15 to interline, plus $120 for "overweight" (they claim their limit is one bag at 23kg, I had two for a total of 30kg).
.

The limit for a domestic bag is 23kg... anything over is charged at $10 per kilo with Virgin Blue AND Qantas....

SO if you had more than 23kg then they would be correct in charging you.

If you had a true interline ticket with 1 booking reference then the international luggage allowance would have been honoured AND you wouldnt have to pay a fee to check in...

But in this case it seems as if you made the error of buying 2 seperate tickets which means you WERE NOT interlining. You were arriving off a seperate independant flight and making you way to a domestic DJ flight in which case you are treated as a regular "domestic" customer.

Here is the blurb on the Virgin site
http://www.virginblue.com.au/AboutUs/OurPartners/index.htm


Guests who have pre booked connecting flights with our airline partners receive this service free of charge.

Guests who are connecting from other airlines OR who have booked a domestic flight directly with Virgin Blue Airlines are welcome to use the transfer service for a small fee. The bus transfer service is available for AUD$5 per person, or the bus and baggage transfer service is available for AUD$15 per person.

I don't think it is Virgin's fault that you didnt book an interline ticket, yet you exepct the interline benefits.

Did you book with a TA or UA direct??

Didn't have the same issue as you the OP. But I flew DJ in late august and frankly I would put it on par with Ryan air. I don't care how much more qantas is I will never fly DJ again!