Originally Posted by
EI320
I think the point is that status pax should have the choice to take the bag onboard or to check it.
It does seem odd that EI does not provide an option to status pax that is available to those on the cheapest fares.
There was an instance recently where I was keen to bring a bottle of wine home from the UK but didn’t bother as I would have to pay to check-in the bag…bloody status!
I get the point - but it's two distinct things - a cabin bag is completely separate thing (even down to weight and dimensions) versus a hold bag.
Airlines just don't see them as the same, so you don't get an option to check-in a cabin bag when you can bring it into the cabin, just as you don't get the option to bring your checked hold bag into the cabin depending on how you're feeling that day (size and weight notwithstanding!).
If someone with status really needed to check the cabin bag for free, just don't include your AerClub number when booking. It will mean you need to do the Missing Avios form post-flight, but you'll have saved the cash!