Originally Posted by
CPMaverick
Are you sure it was carry-on fees? I am not aware of any carry-on fees with VA or NZ, just limits. Checked baggage fees are more common (although I don't know how you'd get to $300 worth).
Air NZ charges NZD 200 for first additional bag and NZD 200 for over 23kg (under 32kg), so that would be about USD 300
FF status worth a fair bit in excess baggage charges. VA is cheaper (AUD 260 for overweight extra bag). You are quite right about there being no carryon fees, it is either included or becomes checked baggage.