Schultzois

I am flying TAM in business class on a regional flight (EZE-GIG) that would normally allow 33kg (or possibly 43kg) baggage on the basis of the weight system baggage allowance (which I can't believe still exists anywhere).

According to the oneworld site, Emerald members should be entitled to 20 kg extra as an "Emerald Privilege" http://www.oneworld.com/ffp/emerald-privileges

When I phoned TAM to check my actual allowance, they told me the maximum is 43kg, saying at one point that the extra 20 is only in addition to the normal 23kg economy allowance (even though I've bought a business class ticket), and at another point that since business allows 20kg extra anyway (there were some points in the purchasing process that it said 43kg instead of 33kg) the Emerald benefit doesn't apply.

I was expecting at least a 53kg allowance, if not 63kg, but was told 43kg is the limit, despite being in business as a OW emerald. Does anyone have any idea here? I know TAM is new to oneworld, but 43kg seems downright ridiculous when on virtually all the other (piece-based) carriers I get a 3x32kg allowance for business, plus an extra 1x32kg for emerald!

SoCal

That sounds like the standard allowance for regional flights in such circumstances. Less than international, as in to Europe or North America. You are, I gather, not connecting to or from an international (as opposed to regional) flight.

From what I can see at http://www.tam.com.br/b2c/vgn/v/inde...009508020aRCRD, the allowance between B.A. and Brazil (between Mercosul countries) is 23 kg in economy class, 33 kg in business class and 43 kg in first class. And I believe that's the total allowance, not per bag. TAM said being in Emerald Status with OW didn't increase your allowance, right? You quoted the statements from http://www.oneworld.com/ffp/emerald-privileges to the TAM agent?

Oneworld doesn't appear to have a central customer relations number, so it appears you'd be at the mercy of TAM's customer relations. Boa sorte.