Hello,

a few days ago I was flying FCO-CDG-SXM all on AirFrance. I was travelling in economy class. With me, I had a carry on sized piece of luggage and a small back-pack.

At FCO I was told I could take everything on board (carry on + personal item) and that I did not have to check anything in.

At CDG, where I had a very short connection time, my items were weighed at the gate. I was told that the sum of the weight of both items was above 12kg (by 3kg) and that one item had to be checked in. I was told that in order to do this I had to pay 200 euros. I paid the 200 euros in order not to miss my flight.

Afterwards, I looked at the AF rules on luggage and they say that people travelling to the Caribbean can check in up to two 23kg items AND carry on up to 12kg (carry on suitcase + personal item).

Why did I have to pay 200 euros to check in an item that was well within 23kg? I am assuming that it makes no difference whether an item is checked at the check-in desk or at the gate, right?

Thanks a lot to anybody who might be able to shed light on this!