Excess Baggage
 

If I am flying on an itinerary with a stop-over (For example, YVR-YYC(stop)-YYZ-YVR) and I have an extra bag to check, does AC only collect excess charges once, or each time that I have to check-in?

I would assume that they would collect in YVR on the outbound and YYZ on the inbound, but do they also collect in YYC? Thanks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[edited for clarity]

[This message has been edited by makin'miles (edited 04-04-2001).]

Excess baggage charges cover origin to destination, including connections, but not stopovers.

So, if you are in YYC for more than 4 hours, then you will recheck your bags, and excess charges can be levied again. However, if you are only changing planes in YYC, then YVR will charge you for excess from YVR-YYZ.

Depending on the item you may want to consider FedEx or AC Cargo.

Thanks so much, guys! I was actually just kind of curious what AC policy was on that. I would definitely agree that FedEx or UPS is almost always a far better deal, and likely more reliable as well.

It all depends.

From YVR to YYZ, for a 60 x 20 x 45 cm (size of a small suitcase) package weighing 15 kg, and a declared value of $500 Fedex will charge you $97.69 for overnight delivery.

Go up to the checked baggage limit of 79 x 20 x 59 cm (max total 158 cm) weighing 32kgs, also $500 value, the price leaps to $181.38.

FedEx ground would only cost $27.66, but would require the best part of 5 days to deliver.

AC also have a 30/60 minute tender cargo services for packages up to 32 kgs. Tender them within 30 or 60 minutes at the airport, and they will be available within 30 or 60 minutes of wheel stop.

(YUL you have to tender at the cargo terminal--a pain. Retrieval at YYZ is 120 minutes on the Express60 service.)

If you have excess pieces, it is worth comparing prices with excess baggage charges.

[This message has been edited by AC*SE (edited 04-04-2001).]

My experience (gained before I gained status levels at AC) is that if you ask nicely, are generally polite, and the plane is not full, the check-in agents will usually accept one additional piece of checked baggage without charging you for it.

Assuming they are normal sized pieces, of course, and not 3 of those Asian special suitcases that you can pack a 20 foot container in.

What you do have to be careful about is the weight of the pieces. You must never exceed 70 pounds per piece. If you do, the item must be shipped as cargo, because it presents an occupational hazard to the ground staff to attempt to handle baggage in excess of 70 pounds by hand.